New Orleans Trash Pickup, Recycling, Yard Waste & Bulky Item Schedule 2026
This resident-first guide helps New Orleans households find the correct garbage and recycling day by address, understand service areas and haulers, avoid French Quarter and DDD timing mistakes, request bulky waste pickup, handle yard waste, report missed collection, request carts, and use the Elysian Fields recycling drop-off safely.
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New Orleans trash pickup schedule garbage collection is address-based. Use the official City of New Orleans Trash & Recycling Collection Schedule page and type your address in the search box. The lookup shows your service area, service provider, garbage day and recycling day.
The City offers once-weekly curbside trash collection to eligible residents and small businesses. Curbside recycling is also once weekly for eligible properties. The French Quarter and Downtown Development District follow separate daily collection regulations and should not follow normal neighborhood set-out habits.
New Orleans Trash Pickup Day Lookup — Search Your Address Before Setting Anything Out
The fastest way to avoid a missed New Orleans pickup is to use the official address lookup first. The City schedule page says you can find collection days by typing your address in the search box. This is important because New Orleans uses service areas and contractors, and the French Quarter / DDD schedule is not the same as normal neighborhood pickup.
Do not copy a neighbor’s pickup day unless they are on the same route and collection point. In New Orleans, a wrong-side-of-the-street assumption, short-term rental instruction sheet, old landlord note or post-hurricane schedule memory can easily be wrong.
Official lookup: Search your address on the City collection schedule page before putting out carts, recycling, yard waste or bulky waste.
Open Address LookupNew resident tip: If you moved into a house, shotgun double, fourplex, small business location or rental unit, check eligibility first. The City lists residential properties with four or fewer units under one roof and small businesses as eligible for City trash collection. Larger properties, hotels, restaurants and bars are not handled like normal residential curbside service.
New Orleans Trash Service Areas — IV Waste, Waste Pro and Richard’s Disposal
The City divides New Orleans into five sanitation service areas. Your service area matters because it determines the collection contractor responsible for your route. The official trash page lists the current service providers as follows.
| Service Area | Provider Listed by City | Resident Use |
|---|---|---|
| Area 1 | IV Waste | Use the address lookup to confirm your route and pickup day. |
| Area 2 | IV Waste | Report missed collections through 311, not directly through guesswork. |
| Area 3 | Waste Pro | Check city holiday and route notices before assuming a missed pickup. |
| Area 4 | Richard’s Disposal | Use 311 for missed pickup, bulky waste and cart issues. |
| Area 5 | IV Waste | Confirm service provider and day through the official map. |
Do not call the wrong hauler first. The City’s process sends missed collection and service tickets through 311 to the proper collection company. If you recently moved or forgot your collector, use the schedule page first.
New Orleans Garbage Set-Out Rules — Carts, Bags, Sidewalk Blocking and French Quarter Timing
New Orleans garbage should be properly contained. Solid waste must be in garbage receptacles with tight-fitting lids or placed in fastened thick plastic bags. Cardboard boxes should not be used as waste containers; cardboard should be broken down and placed in containers or bags.
- Use the City-issued roll cart where provided.
- Keep lids closed and bags fastened.
- Do not block sidewalks with carts or bags.
- Place yard waste and bulky waste only within the allowed window.
- Report missed collection through 311 and leave the cart curbside for follow-up.
- Use 311 for new carts, repairs and replacement requests.
- Solid waste collection occurs seven days a week.
- Collection window is listed as 4:00 AM to 8:00 AM.
- Containers or bags should not be left on public rights-of-way from 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM.
- City-provided 35-gallon cart volume limit applies.
- Residential waste must be in lidded carts or secured black plastic bags.
- Recycling holidays differ from daily trash rules in these areas.
Local enforcement warning: New Orleans is strict about early bulky and yard waste set-outs. The City repeatedly warns that residents who put yard waste or bulky items out more than 24 hours before the scheduled pickup may be fined.
New Orleans 2026 Holiday Trash Pickup Schedule — One-Day Delay Outside French Quarter and DDD
The City observes four sanitation holidays for routes outside the French Quarter and Downtown Development District: New Year’s Day, Mardi Gras Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. On those holidays, solid waste and recycling collection are suspended outside the French Quarter and DDD, and affected routes shift forward one day.
| 2026 Holiday | Date | Likely Route Impact |
|---|---|---|
| New Year’s Day | Thursday, January 1, 2026 | Past 2026 date. Thursday routes shifted to Friday and Friday routes to Saturday in the city notice pattern. |
| Mardi Gras Day | Tuesday, February 17, 2026 | Past 2026 date. Tuesday through Friday routes ran one day behind for the remainder of the week. |
| Thanksgiving Day | Thursday, November 26, 2026 | Expect affected Thursday and Friday routes to shift one day later unless the City posts a different notice. |
| Christmas Day | Friday, December 25, 2026 | Expect affected Friday routes to shift to Saturday unless the City posts a different notice. |
Holiday shortcut: If you live outside the French Quarter and DDD and the holiday falls on or before your pickup day, check for a one-day delay. If you live in the French Quarter or DDD, daily solid waste collection continues, but recycling does not occur on the listed holidays and resumes on the next scheduled recycling day.
New Orleans Recycling Pickup — Weekly Blue Cart, Accepted Items and Plastic Bag Mistakes
The City offers once-weekly curbside recycling to properties eligible for City solid waste collection. Outside the French Quarter and DDD, eligible units receive one free 64-gallon blue recycling roll cart. In the French Quarter and DDD, eligible units receive one free 18-gallon blue recycling bin.
- Plastics #1 and #2, including bottles, jars, jugs and common beverage/cleaning containers.
- Flattened corrugated cardboard and paperboard boxes.
- Paper, junk mail, coupons, envelopes, catalogs, magazines and newspapers.
- Aluminum and steel food cans, empty and rinsed.
- Food containers should be rinsed before placing in the cart.
- Plastic bags and bagged recyclables.
- Plastics #3 through #7.
- Styrofoam, take-out containers and condiment cups.
- Cartons or wax-board containers.
- Pizza boxes, soiled paper and shredded paper.
- Aerosol cans, wire hangers and non-food metal containers.
Biggest recycling mistake: Do not put recyclables in plastic bags. The City says recycling in plastic bags cannot be recycled. Keep items loose in the recycling cart or bin.
Need a recycling cart? Eligible residents can call 311 or submit a NOLA311 service request to register for curbside recycling or request a cart.
Request CartNew Orleans Waste Video Guide — Official Video Check
No official relevant embeddable video was found from the City of New Orleans Department of Sanitation, NOLA.gov, NOLA 311, an official city YouTube channel, or an official waste contractor page at the time of writing. Because no verified official video was found, this article does not embed a random YouTube or creator video.
Best for: New residents, renters, small-business users, French Quarter users, bulky-waste users, recycling users and residents unsure about plastic bags, drop-off recycling or holiday delays should use the official written NOLA links in this guide until the City publishes or links an official video.
If New Orleans later publishes an official sanitation, recycling, bulky waste, Elysian Fields drop-off, NOLA311 or collection schedule video, it should be added here using only the official embed URL.
New Orleans Yard Waste Pickup — Bags, Bundles, Weight Limits and 24-Hour Rule
Yard waste goes next to the cart on the scheduled solid waste collection day. The City defines yard waste as leaves, weeds, grass, small vegetation, hedge clippings and small tree limbs. Residents should not treat yard debris like unlimited storm debris.
- Less than 6 bags of leaves, weeds, grass or small vegetation.
- Each yard waste bag should weigh 50 pounds or less.
- Less than 6 bundles of small tree limbs.
- Bundles should be under 4 feet long.
- Bundles should be under 12 inches in diameter.
- Place yard waste next to the cart on your scheduled solid waste day.
- Do not place yard waste out more than 24 hours before pickup.
- Do not create oversized tree piles.
- Do not mix yard waste with household garbage.
- Do not use yard waste pickup for contractor-generated tree work.
- Do not block sidewalks, drains or traffic sightlines.
Storm cleanup warning: Hurricane, flood and storm debris can follow separate emergency debris rules. Normal weekly yard waste limits do not automatically apply to citywide disaster debris operations. Check NOLA Ready and City sanitation notices after major weather events.
New Orleans Bulky Waste Pickup — Sofas, Mattresses, Appliances, Carpet and Tires
Bulky waste includes items that are not suitable for standard collection carts because of weight or size. The City lists examples such as white goods, sofas, mattresses, appliances, furniture, carpet, yard waste bags, tree branch bundles and up to four tires.
- White goods and appliances.
- Sofas and furniture.
- Mattresses.
- Carpet rolled and tied, cut in less than 4-foot lengths.
- Up to 6 bags of eligible yard waste.
- Up to 6 bundles of tree branches under 4 feet.
- Up to 4 tires.
- Residents must contact 311 to request bulky waste collection.
- Use a “Request Large Item Pickup” service request for tires and large items.
- Do not set bulky items out more than 24 hours before the scheduled solid waste day.
- Small businesses are not eligible for bulky waste collection.
- Private vendors are required for ineligible commercial bulky waste.
Book before setting out: Call 311 or use NOLA311 before dragging a mattress, sofa, tire pile or appliance to the curb.
Open NOLA311New Orleans Recycling Drop-Off Center — Elysian Fields, HHW Day, Shred Days and Special Items
The City’s Recycling Drop-Off Center is located at 2829 Elysian Fields Avenue. It is open weekly on Saturdays from 8:00 AM until 1:00 PM to Orleans Parish residents. Businesses and organizations are excluded.
- Plastics #1 and #2.
- Newspapers, office paper, catalogs and cardboard.
- Small aluminum and steel cans.
- E-waste and small electronics listed by the City.
- Batteries and light bulbs.
- Televisions, limit 4.
- Glass, limit 50 pounds.
- Tires, limit 5.
- Mardi Gras beads.
- Household Hazardous Waste Day listed: April 11, 2026. This date has passed as of this update, so check the official calendar for the next HHW event.
- Shred Day listed: June 20, 2026.
- Shred Day listed: September 19, 2026.
- Shred Day listed: December 19, 2026.
- Used cooking oil days listed: November 28 and December 5, 2026.
Before you drive: Do not bring bagged recyclables. The drop-off page says plastic bags are not accepted for curbside recycling or recycling drop-off. Wash food containers, separate material as instructed and check current event dates before loading hazardous waste.
Elysian Fields Recycling Drop-Off Map
Missed Trash Pickup New Orleans — What to Check Before Calling 311
New Orleans missed collection reports should go through 311. The City says 311 agents log missed collection requests and send a ticket to the proper collection company. Residents should leave the trash cart or recycling cart at the curb so the missed collection can be addressed.
| Problem | Likely Cause | Best Next Step |
|---|---|---|
| Trash not picked up | Wrong pickup day, holiday delay, blocked cart, wrong service area, early/late set-out or contractor delay. | Check the schedule lookup, then call 311 or submit a NOLA311 request. |
| Recycling missed | Wrong recycling day, plastic bags, contaminated cart, construction closure or contractor delay. | Call 311 and leave the recycling cart/bin curbside for follow-up. |
| Bulky item left behind | No 311 request, set out too early, small business ineligible or item not properly prepared. | Create a large item pickup request through 311. |
| Yard waste left behind | Too many bags/bundles, overweight material, oversized limbs or early set-out. | Correct the pile and use 311 if it was properly placed. |
| Construction debris problem | C&D materials are not normal curbside trash. | Use approved landfill/disposal options such as Gentilly C&D or RiverBirch, where applicable. |
Report issue: Call 311, call 504-539-3266, or submit a request online at NOLA311.
Submit NOLA311 RequestNew Orleans Sanitation Phone Number, Address, Map and Official Trash Links
| Need | Official Contact | Use This For |
|---|---|---|
| NOLA311 | 311 / 504-539-3266 | Missed pickup, bulky waste request, cart request, trash/recycling service issues. |
| Department of Sanitation | 1300 Perdido Street 1W30, New Orleans, LA 70112 | City sanitation department address listed on official trash and recycling pages. |
| Office Hours | Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM-5:00 PM | Department service window listed by the City. |
| Field Operations | Monday-Saturday, 6:00 AM-2:00 PM | Field operations hours listed on official pages. |
| Recycling Drop-Off | 2829 Elysian Fields Avenue | Saturday recycling drop-off for Orleans Parish residents, businesses excluded. |
Department of Sanitation Map
Official New Orleans Trash and Recycling Links
Related Trash Pickup Guides — Internal Links for Southern Cities, Holiday Delays and Bulk Pickup
These related guides help residents compare common pickup problems such as holiday delays, bulky item requests, recycling contamination, cart rules and missed collection reporting across similar municipal systems.
New Orleans Trash Pickup FAQ — Most Searched Local Questions Answered
Source Verification and Editorial Note
Independent information guide — not affiliated with the City of New Orleans. trash-pickup.org is a public information resource. We do not operate sanitation trucks, recycling pickup, bulky waste pickup, NOLA311, IV Waste, Waste Pro, Richard’s Disposal, the Elysian Fields recycling drop-off site or household hazardous waste events.
Pickup lookup, once-weekly trash and recycling service, service areas, French Quarter / DDD rules, bulky waste rules, yard waste limits, recycling cart rules, Elysian Fields drop-off guidance, 2026 special recycling dates, holiday delay rules, 311 reporting and official video availability were checked against official City of New Orleans resources as of May 2026. Routes, contractors, holidays, drop-off dates, HHW events, fees, collection windows and service alerts can change. Always verify through official links before acting.
Official Sources — Verified May 2026
- City of New Orleans — Trash & Recycling Collection Schedule
- City of New Orleans — Trash Collection Map
- City of New Orleans — Trash Collection
- City of New Orleans — Recycling
- City of New Orleans — Recycling Drop-Off
- City of New Orleans — Request a Trash/Recycling Cart
- NOLA311 — Service Requests
- City of New Orleans — Mardi Gras Day 2026 Holiday Collection Notice
- City of New Orleans — Christmas Holiday Collection Notice
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