Indianapolis Garbage Pickup: 2026 Schedule, Rules & What to Do When They Skip You
Indianapolis Junk Removal Specialists · 6+ yrs in Indy
Indianapolis garbage pickup confuses almost every new resident — partly because Indy DPW and a private hauler share the work, partly because each township has its own rules. Here's the 2026 cheat sheet: who actually picks up your trash, what they take, what they won't, and your fastest options when they skip your house or refuse a bulky item.
Who picks up your trash in Indianapolis?
Inside the old city limits (most of Marion County), residential trash and recycling are contracted to Republic Services on behalf of Indy DPW. In the included Excluded Cities (Beech Grove, Lawrence, Southport, Speedway) and the suburban donut counties, smaller private haulers operate on subscription billing.
- Marion County (Indy DPW area): Republic Services, weekly trash + every-other-week recycling
- Carmel / Fishers / Westfield (Hamilton County): subscription with Ray's, Republic, or Best Way
- Greenwood / Beech Grove / Southport: Republic or Ray's subscription
- Plainfield / Brownsburg (Hendricks County): Ray's Trash predominates
How to find your Indianapolis trash pickup day
Indy DPW maintains a ZIP-by-ZIP route map at indy.gov/dpw — punch in your address and you'll get your weekly trash day, your recycling week (A or B), and any current route changes. Most pickup happens 7 AM – 5 PM; carts must be out by 7 AM and pulled back in within 24 hours of pickup.
Rule of thumb
Cart at the curb the night before, wheels facing the house, 3 ft of clearance on each side. Republic drivers won't get out to move a parked car or a cluster of bins.
What goes in the trash cart (and what doesn't)
| Goes in the cart | Does NOT go in the cart |
|---|---|
| Bagged household trash | Loose construction debris, drywall |
| Small broken items (under 4 ft, in bag) | Refrigerators, ACs, or any Freon appliance |
| Pet waste (double-bagged) | Tires (Indiana per-tire fee required) |
| Diapers, food waste | Hazardous waste, paint, motor oil, batteries |
| Bagged yard waste (limited) | Loose mattresses (must be bagged + scheduled) |
Indianapolis trash pickup holidays — 2026 delays
Republic observes six holidays that slide pickup back one day for the rest of the week:
- New Year's Day (Jan 1)
- Memorial Day (May 25)
- Independence Day (Jul 4 — observed Jul 3)
- Labor Day (Sep 7)
- Thanksgiving Day (Nov 26)
- Christmas Day (Dec 25)
If your normal day is Monday and the holiday falls Monday, you go Tuesday; Tuesday becomes Wednesday, and so on through Saturday. Check the Republic Indy holiday schedule each January for exact dates.
Missed pickup? Here's the order of operations
- Confirm your cart was out by 7 AM and not blocked
- Wait until end of day — routes sometimes run late
- Call Indy Mayor's Action Center (317-327-4MAC) or Republic directly
- Most missed pickups are scheduled within 24–48 hours
- If they still skip you 2 weeks in a row, file a service complaint
When city pickup won't solve your problem
Indianapolis residential trash service is sized for week-to-week household waste — not garage cleanouts, appliance disposal, post-renovation debris, or any bulky furniture that won't fit in the cart. For everything on the 'does NOT go in the cart' side of the table above, you have three paths:
| Option | Best for | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Schedule a Republic bulk add-on | One small bulky item, no rush | $35–$75/item |
| DIY trip to South Side Landfill | You have a pickup truck | $40–$95/load |
| Same-day junk removal | Appliances, multiple items, upstairs | $129–$599 |
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What day is trash pickup in Indianapolis?
Your day depends on your ZIP code and route — look it up at indy.gov/dpw by entering your address. Most of Marion County is on a single weekly day with every-other-week recycling alternating on A and B schedules.
Who picks up garbage in Indianapolis?
Indy DPW contracts residential trash and recycling to Republic Services across most of Marion County. Excluded Cities (Beech Grove, Lawrence, Southport, Speedway) and the donut counties use private subscription haulers like Ray's or Best Way.
Will Indianapolis trash pickup take a couch or mattress?
Not in the regular cart route. Bulky items require a scheduled bulk-pickup add-on through Republic ($35–$75 per item, 48-hour notice) and they refuse appliances with Freon, tires, and construction debris entirely.
What happens if I miss my trash pickup day?
Your cart sits another full week unless you schedule a missed-pickup call. Republic and Indy DPW typically reschedule within 24–48 hours if you call the same day the route ran.
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