New Orleans Recycling Guide & 2026 Calendar
Single-stream recycling pickup is listed for Monday and Tuesday and Wednesday and Thursday and Friday. Item-specific answers appear below.
New Orleans recycling calendar 2026
Regular collection days: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday. Check the current holiday delay notice for changes to regular pickup.
A verified 2026 recycling calendar has not been provided. Get the official calendar and confirm your route.
Accepted & prohibited recycling
Accepted items
- Plastics: clean plastic bottles, jars, and jugs labeled #1 and #2 (soda, water, milk, juice, shampoo, detergent)
- Cardboard: corrugated and paperboard boxes (flattened), drink carton boxes (6, 12, 24-packs), paper egg cartons, shoe boxes
- Paper: cereal and cracker boxes (liners removed), junk mail, coupons, white/colored office paper, envelopes, paper grocery bags, catalogs, magazines, newspapers, paperback books, phone books
- Metal: clean aluminum and steel food cans (empty and rinse before recycling)
Prohibited items
- Plastic bags, plastic wrap, film, bubble wrap, and 6-pack rings (never bag recyclables)
- Plastics #3 through #7 (not accepted curbside even if stamped with recycling logo)
- Styrofoam packaging and takeout food containers
- Pizza boxes (soiled or unsoiled)
- Cartons or wax-board containers (juice boxes and milk cartons)
- Glass bottles and jars (not accepted curbside; bring to Elysian Fields drop-off)
- Shredded paper, soiled paper, tissues, paper towels, and hardcover books
- Aerosol cans, wire hangers, aluminum foil, and non-food metal containers
- Electronics, batteries, light bulbs, paint, chemicals, and hazardous waste
Can you recycle these items in New Orleans?
Can you recycle cardboard in New Orleans?
AcceptedFlatten corrugated boxes and paperboard boxes before placing in the recycling roll cart or on the ground next to the cart.
Can you recycle pizza boxes in New Orleans?
Not acceptedPizza boxes are not accepted in curbside recycling carts; place in regular trash.
Can you recycle plastic #1 in New Orleans?
AcceptedRinse clean PET #1 plastic bottles, jars, and jugs; place loose in the recycling cart.
Can you recycle plastic #2 in New Orleans?
AcceptedRinse clean HDPE #2 plastic jugs (milk, detergent, shampoo); place loose in cart.
Can you recycle plastic #3 in New Orleans?
Not acceptedPlastics #3 through #7 are not accepted for curbside recycling in New Orleans.
Can you recycle plastic #4 in New Orleans?
Not acceptedPlastic grocery bags and films are not accepted curbside; drop off at participating retail stores.
Can you recycle plastic #5 in New Orleans?
Not acceptedPlastics #5 polypropylene containers are not accepted in New Orleans curbside carts.
Can you recycle plastic #6 in New Orleans?
Not acceptedStyrofoam packaging and to-go containers labeled #6 are prohibited from recycling carts.
Can you recycle plastic #7 in New Orleans?
Not acceptedPlastics #7 and mixed resins are prohibited from curbside recycling.
Can you recycle glass in New Orleans?
Not acceptedGlass bottles and jars are not collected curbside; bring up to 50 lbs to the Elysian Fields Recycling Drop-Off Center on Saturdays.
Can you recycle aluminum in New Orleans?
AcceptedEmpty and rinse aluminum and steel food and beverage cans before placing loose in the cart.
Can you recycle shredded paper in New Orleans?
Not acceptedShredded paper is not accepted curbside; bring to designated community shred days at the Elysian Fields Drop-Off Center.
DPW & sanitation contact
City of New Orleans Department of Sanitation · contractor
Phone: 504-658-2299
1300 Perdido Street, Room 1W30New Orleans, LA 70112
These collection rules cover Zone City of New Orleans Curbside Service Area.
Trash & recycling questions
What days is trash collected in New Orleans, LA?
Listed trash collection days are Monday and Tuesday and Wednesday and Thursday and Friday. Set containers out Place the official 96-gallon black roll cart curbside on your scheduled day. Do not set out waste more than 24 hours prior to scheduled collection to avoid fines. Return carts from the curb promptly after servicing.. These rules apply to Zone City of New Orleans Curbside Service Area.
Is garbage pickup delayed for holidays in New Orleans?
As of 2026-09-23: No observed holidays this week. Collections follow the regular schedule. A listed holiday shifts that day and the remaining collection days in its service week by one day. Observed holidays: New Year's Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day. These rules apply to Zone City of New Orleans Curbside Service Area.
How do I schedule bulk trash pickup in New Orleans?
Residents must call 311 (or 504-658-2299) to schedule bulky waste collection prior to placement. Items must not be placed curbside more than 24 hours before your scheduled collection day to avoid municipal fines. Small businesses are not eligible for city bulk collection. The listed limit is 4 items per pickup. Advance notice is required. Contact sanitation at 504-658-2299 to confirm eligibility and arrange service. These rules apply to Zone City of New Orleans Curbside Service Area.
What items are accepted for recycling in New Orleans?
The listed accepted materials are Plastics: clean plastic bottles, jars, and jugs labeled #1 and #2 (soda, water, milk, juice, shampoo, detergent), Cardboard: corrugated and paperboard boxes (flattened), drink carton boxes (6, 12, 24-packs), paper egg cartons, shoe boxes, Paper: cereal and cracker boxes (liners removed), junk mail, coupons, white/colored office paper, envelopes, paper grocery bags, catalogs, magazines, newspapers, paperback books, phone books, Metal: clean aluminum and steel food cans (empty and rinse before recycling). Keep these listed prohibited items out: Plastic bags, plastic wrap, film, bubble wrap, and 6-pack rings (never bag recyclables), Plastics #3 through #7 (not accepted curbside even if stamped with recycling logo), Styrofoam packaging and takeout food containers, Pizza boxes (soiled or unsoiled), Cartons or wax-board containers (juice boxes and milk cartons), Glass bottles and jars (not accepted curbside; bring to Elysian Fields drop-off), Shredded paper, soiled paper, tissues, paper towels, and hardcover books, Aerosol cans, wire hangers, aluminum foil, and non-food metal containers, Electronics, batteries, light bulbs, paint, chemicals, and hazardous waste. Confirm item-specific preparation rules with the official sanitation office. These rules apply to Zone City of New Orleans Curbside Service Area.