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Each day, you generate a variety of different types of waste. During the course of any given year, you may end up not only disposing of what fairly can be called everyday garbage and recyclables but also a hazardous waste of different types. Maybe you’re thinking about selling your home this winter and need to get rid of some “junk.” A basic understanding of the different ways in which various types of waste items are disposed of in the city. When it comes to waste disposal in Louisville here are the 8 categories of which waste is disposed of.

1. Regular garbage or trash
2. Hazardous waste
3. Recyclable items
4. Mattresses, Furniture, and Appliances
5. Construction waste
6. Sharps
7. Biohazardous waste
8. Medications

1. Regular Garbage or Trash

Garbage removal is the most common waste disposal in Louisville, Kentucky. As it probably is for most cities. Regular garbage or trash is disposed of through the City of Louisville Solid Waste Management Services Division. The agency collects garbage on a weekly basis from residential units with eight units or fewer. Large residential buildings have to engage a private service to collect regular garbage items.

2. Hazardous Waste

Louisville established what it calls the Haz Bin program. Through the Haz Bin program, residents of Louisville are able to dispose of a full spectrum of unwanted hazardous household materials.

The Haz Bin is located at 7501 Grand Lane in Louisville. It is open to receive household hazardous waste from residents the year round, Tuesday through Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Only household hazardous waste can be disposed of through Haz Bin; nothing from a business can be deposited.

All containers deposited at Haz Bin must be less than five gallons or weigh less than 40 pounds. A resident can deposit 25 pounds or less of asbestos taken from a residence (but not a business).

Examples of the types of household hazardous waste that can be deposited at Haz Bin include:

• Automotive fluids
• Batteries
• Cleaners
• Driveway Sealers
• Fertilizers
• Fire extinguishers
• Fluorescent light bulbs
• Freon
• Furniture polishes and waxes
• Gasoline
• Hearing aid and watch batteries
• Kerosene
• Lawn and garden hazardous chemicals
• LED light bulbs

3. Recyclable Items

Recyclable items are collected via the City of Louisville Solid Waste Management Services Division. They are collected at a particular residence on the same day of the week that regular trash collection occurs. Recyclable items must be sorted and stowed in a container separate from regular rubbish.

4. Mattresses, Furniture, Appliances

The City of Louisville has established what is known as the Waste Reduction Center. The Waste Reduction Center is located in Louisville at 636  Meriwether Avenue. A resident of the city can bring up to three large items to the Center throughout the year.

Items that can be brought to the Center include:

• Mattresses
• Furniture
• Appliances
• Tires
• Branches and other large yard waste

Pickup of large items can also be scheduled through the city. No hazardous materials can be disposed of through this system.

5. Construction Waste

Construction waste needs to be collected by a private contractor in most instances. This includes construction waste generated by a home remodel that is of a quantity beyond what can be deposited at the Waste Reduction Center.

When it comes to dealing with construction waste, including waste from a remodeling project, the best course to take is hiring a large dumpster to be left at the property during the construction endeavor.

If some type of hazardous waste is generated as a result of a construction or remodeling project, that cannot be disposed of with other garbage and waste in a rented dumpster. Instead, it must be disposed of through the hazardous waste elimination process described previously.

6. Sharps

The City of Louisville has established guidelines for disposing of sharps like needles and syringes. For example, a diabetic that uses insulin can have the need to dispose of needles and syringes.

The first step in disposing of these items is to place them in something like a labeled and sealed used laundry detergent bottle. Call the Louisville Metro Department of Public Health & Wellness at (502) 574-6520 to obtain specific information about where to drop off a container containing sharps.

7. Biohazardous Waste

Biohazardous waste is a variety of materials that potentially contain dangerous pathogens. These materials include blood, bodily fluids, and other biological materials.

Biohazardous materials in Louisville must be collected and transported by a properly certified specialist. In addition, biohazardous materials must be disposed of in a manner approved by state law and by a specialist that is specifically certified to provide this type of service.

Although the City of Louisville Solid Waste Management Services Division cannot collect biohazardous waste, you can contact the agency for information about private contractors that can provide this type of assistance. If you have a situation in your home where biohazardous waste is present, you are best served by retaining the services of a biohazard remediation professional. By hiring a professional, you ensure a thorough remediation of biohazards in a safe manner.

8. Medications

Medications should not be dumped down the toilet or drain. Taking this approach ends up contaminating water sources. In the interest of safety, medications should never be disposed of through regular refuse collection.

In Louisville, the city establishes different medication collection centers and hosts collection events to varying types of the year. You can access specific information about current medication collection sites and upcoming collection events by clicking here.

So there you have it! Everything you needed to know about waste disposal in Louisville. If you have any additional questions, please let me know.