What waste services does the City of South Bend offer?

Programs offered by Solid Waste: 

• Trash Pickup

• Yard Waste Pickup

• Extra Trash Pickup

• Yard Waste Extra Pickup

Bins to choose from: 

• 96-gallon trash bin

• 48-gallon trash bin

• 96-gallon yard waste bin

• 48-gallon yard waste bin

Guidelines:

Trash Guidelines:

• Bins must be out by by 6:00 a.m. on day of pickup and placed within two feet of the curb with the lid closed and opening facing the street. Bins should NOT be blocked by a vehicle and should be at least three feet from other bins and objects.
   
• All trash must be bagged and placed in city issued bins with the lid closed and the opening facing the street. Bags on top of the bin or on the ground or in personal containers will NOT be collected.
   
• Only regular household trash may be put in bins, No electronic waste, yard waste, loose debris, paints, chemicals or other hazardous materials are allowed. Hazardous waste should be dropped off at the Household Hazardous Waste Facility at 828 Kerr Street.

Yard Waste Guidelines:

• All yard waste must be placed in city issued bins with the lid closed and the opening facing the street. Bags on top of the bin or on the ground or in personal containers will NOT be collected. (Residents may order as many bins as necessary for $3.50 each per month.)
   
• Bins must be out by 6:00 a.m. on day of pickup and placed within two feet of the curb with the lid closed and opening facing the street. Bins should NOT be blocked by a vehicle and should be at least three feet from other bins and objects.
   
• Items ACCEPTED in yard waste bins are:
  • Grass clippings
  • Leaves
  • Twigs
  • Weeds
     
• Must be completely void of the items below or it will not be picked up:
  • Animal waste
  • Dirt and rocks
  • Food waste
  • Household trash
  • Lumber
  • Oils, liquids and other hazardous waste
  • Plastic bags
  • Recycling

Extra Trash Pickup

• To schedule an extra trash pickup, call 311 or fill out the online form more than 24 hours before requested day of service. Must specify items to be collected, date requested and a working phone number. 
• The extra trash pickup item(s) must then be out at the curb by 6:00 am on the day of service. It may not be out front more than 24 hours before the scheduled pickup.
• The extra trash pickup item(s) must be out front, in an open area, unobstructed by cars, trees, powerlines, fences, poles, buildings or trash containers.
• No prices will be quoted over the phone. Anything up to $100 will be picked without prior approval. 
• If the item(s) are blocked or need to be moved, the customer must reschedule for the following week, ensuring that the item(s) will then be accessible. 
• Do not put out items that are to be kept. Everything set out is assumed to be trash and will be taken without any chance of recovery. 

Yard Waste Extra Pickup

• Each household receives one free cubic yard of yard waste picked monthly. 
• To schedule a yard waste extra pickup, call 311 or fill out the online form at least 24 hours before requested day of service. Must specify items to be collected, date requested, and a working phone number. 
• The item(s) must be at the curb by 6:00 am on the day of service. Item(s) may not be out front more than 24 hours before the scheduled pick-up.
• The item(s) must be out front, in an open area, unobstructed by cars, trees, powerlines, fences, poles, buildings, or other containers. No items will be picked in the alley. 
• No personal containers or any type of plastic will be picked. 
• Items must be bagged yard waste or bundled branches. 
• Branches must be cut to no longer than four (4) feet in length, and must be no more than four (4) inches in diameter. 
• One cubic yard will be picked for free. Any additional cubic yards will be charged at $10.00/each. Up to $100.00 will be picked without advising the customer. 

Recycling Information

Recycling and the Household Hazardous Waste facility are handled by the St. Joseph County Solid Waste Management District, not the City of South Bend. They can be reached at 574.235.9971.

How do I get more information on starting new services?

By viewing the City's website here  or by calling the City's 311 call center. 

311 Process Notes

Attach a service request for the appropriate department, Water Works Billing for all new utilities, or Solid Waste when a resident requires only trash services.