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Call or email Shawnee County’s Waste Hotline and help us to use tax money better.

Refuse Department: Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference in service levels and what are the rates?

Shawnee County Refuse has three different service levels:

One can rate:

Limited service for those customers who do not produce very much trash. An amount of trash that will fit into one 32- gallon personal trashcan or two trash bags. Customers on this service are not allowed any extra amounts such as yard waste or bulky items on their regular schedule. Arrangements may be made at an additional cost by contacting the refuse department.

60-gallon rate:

Limited service for those customers who produce more trash than meets the limit for the one can rate but not enough to justify the 90-gallon full service rate. Customers on this service are not allowed any extra amounts such as yard waste or bulky items on their regular schedule. Arrangements may be made at an additional cost by contacting the refuse department.

90-gallon rate:

Full service. Allows customers to put out one bulky item per week with their trash on their regular trash day. Allows for up to 15 bags of yard waste (leaves, grass, etc.) which also includes bundled branches and trimmings. With this service most items will be picked up on the regular trash day.

Residential rates as of January 1, 2009

Service City County
1-Can rate $11.48 $12.52
60-Gallon rate $13.35 $14.35
90-Gallon Rate $15.26 $16.50

Additional 60- and 90-gallon totes are available at an added cost of $3 each per month.

When will I get my container?

We order our containers in lots of 600. Once they are delivered we assemble them and start delivering them. We deliver them from oldest to newest, meaning: the customer who has been waiting the longest will get theirs first. As long as we have the containers available we can deliver them within two to five business days. If we do not have them in stock they can take as much as two weeks. If you are a new customer and are concerned that you aren't going to get trash service without the container please call the refuse department to ensure that we do in fact have you on our new-start list.

Am I being billed for the container?

No. The first container is part of the service, additional containers may be obtained for $3 per month per container. Please see Service Levels and Rates.

I have a private hauler. Why am I being billed by the county?

When you sign up with the City Water Division you must make a choice whether you would like Shawnee County Refuse or a private hauler. In the event no decision is made, and since everyone must have refuse service, you are put on the list for County service. Regardless of how you are billed, City of Topeka water bill or by separate billing statement (rural and commercial accounts only), please contact our office at 785.233.4774 to have it corrected. Our staff will be pleased to assist you with all of your requests as they pertain to refuse service.

When or how do I arrange for large item pick-up?

This is referred to as non-metal bulky pick-up. We will pick-up one bulky item each week. That is, we will pick up one large item with your regularly scheduled trash. A bulky may be one of the following replaceable household items:

  • Box-springs & mattress (1 bulky).
  • Couch or sofa. For sofa sleepers, the sleeper must be removed and arranged for separately.
  • Household furniture.

Restrictions: This service will not be provided on a holiday week, if you are on a one-can limit or 60-gallon tote. You must be on full service (90-gallon tote). The item cannot be of metal (stoves, refrigerators, etc).

Metal bulky pick-up: We do pick-up bulky metal items. To schedule this service please call our office at 785.233.4774. There is a minimum $45 charge for this service.

What is the holiday schedule?

Our holiday schedule goes out in December of each year. If you have any questions about when or how a holiday schedule works please feel free to call the refuse office, or click on Holiday pickup schedule above.

Why didn’t they pick up my trash?

We ask that our customers have their trash out at their pick-up location, curbside or alley, by 7 a.m. on trash day. Many times customers become familiar with the crew that takes their trash and know that they will always come at a particular time on trash day. This familiarity creates expectations, which may or may not be met.

Example—If we have a different driver, due to illness, on that particular route on that particular day, he may take a little more time than the regular driver. The driver may, due to construction or road closings, have to run his route differently on that day which can put them at your stop either earlier or later than "normal". If we try to hold these routes to timed expectations we will most surely fail at one time or another. For the best service possible, we ask that you have your trash at the designated pick-up location no later than 7 a.m. It is also acceptable to have your trash out the night before.

What can I do if my trash wasn't picked up?

Also, there is the possibility that we may, by accident, miss your stop. If this should happen, please call our office (785.233.4774) as soon as you can so that we may get your trash picked up. When you call in, my staff will ask you if it must be picked up today or if it can wait until the next day. If you opt for same day, we will be out that afternoon. If you opt for the next day, we will be there first thing in the morning around 7 a.m.

They picked up part of my trash, but left some of it. Why?

It could be due to the level of service for which you are paying, e.g. one-can limit, or a 60-gallon tote, as opposed to full service with the 90-gallon tote. It could be that the trash that was left was in containers that were heavier than 65lbs. It could be that the trash that was left was brush or items greater than 4ft in length and not tied in bundles or that if tied in bundles, the bundles were too big for the crew to manage. We are only able to take 15 bags of yard waste per week. If you had more than that we will take more the next week. We do offer a special service. If you have just moved, cleaned out the basement or garage, or done some yard cleanup, and you don't want to have the trash sitting around until trash day. Simply call our office at 785.233.4774 and we will be happy to send a representative to give you a quote on cost, the minimum cost for a special is $45. Payment for a special is due at the time the service is rendered.

Why won’t they pick up all of my bags of grass or leaves?

If it is a holiday week, by Shawnee County Resolution, we have to serve all of our customers in a shortened timeframe. To do this we cannot pick up leaves/yard waste. Once the holiday week is past we will resume our normal schedule and again pick up leaves/yard waste.

If it is not a holiday week, then it may be one of the following reasons.

  • A maximum of 10 grass bags will be picked up per stop each week.
    Grass is extremely heavy and takes up much of the needed space that is designated for household trash. Grass, if not composted, should always be placed in STURDY plastic bags, that are easy to pick up by the tied end of the bag. Grass bags that are too heavy, or break open will be left for the home owner/occupant. Grass should never be placed in trash cans or refuse totes. Cans or totes containing grass will be left for the home owner/occupant to reduce into bags. The Refuse Department does not subsidize Lawn Care Businesses. If we believe that grass is being left as a result of a business we will contact the home owner/occupant to discuss per bag costs.
  • A maximum of 15 leaf bags will be picked up per stop each week.
    Leaves come in abundance and each year home owner/occupants rake thousands of pounds of leaves, place them in plastic bags and leave them at the trash collection site to be taken away. When bags of leaves are placed into a refuse truck they are compacted along with trash, except leaves are like Styrofoam—they do not stay compacted once the pressure is released. In lay terms this means that the more leaves we put in the less room we have for household trash. At some stops we have come across as many 150 bags of leaves. If that entire amount is taken we will have reduced the amount of room left for trash. If this is done repeatedly throughout the route each day then we will have spent more man-time at each stop than is necessary, and will have to make an extra trip to the landfill. Look hard at the end result of not having limits on leaf pick up.

Additionally, grass, leaves, tree trimmings, bushes, limbs, etc. are all considered yard waste. Yard waste can and should be used as compost as much as possible. When left on your yard, grass clippings and leaves breakdown naturally providing needed nutrients to the soil.. Putting yard waste in the landfill is a waste of space and a waste of a valuable commodity.

For information on composting you may contact Shawnee County Recycling Department at 785.233.6147.

What is my pick-up day?

We pick-up residential trash five days a week, Monday through Friday. When you sign up for service you should be notified when your trash pick-up day is. Please call our office if you have any questions as to when your trash pick-up day is. The Shawnee County Refuse Department can be reached by phone at 785.233.4774.

Where do I call when I have billing or adjustment questions?

Please call our office at 785.233.4774.

Where is the Landfill?

Rolling Meadows Recycling & Disposal Facility is located at 7351 NW Hwy 75. They are open Monday - Friday 6 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday 7 a.m. to Noon. Their phone number is 785.246.0305.

What should I do if I am unable to get my trash can to the street?

We would like for everyone to have their trash down by the street (alley), but if you should forget and our crew can see your tote we will be more than happy to take it and dump it for you. This will not be a regular service each week.

If you have a medical condition that prevents you from moving your can, simply get a note from your doctor to let us know and we will get it for you.

What can and cannot (should not) be thrown away?

Paint cans with paint still in them, motor oil, car batteries, acids, household hazardous waste, etc. For concerns on what household hazardous wastes are or for information on what should be recycled and the location of drop-off locations please contact the Shawnee County Recycling Department at 785.233.6147.

My tote is filthy and smells bad, what should I do about it?

The tote belongs to Shawnee County Refuse. However, once placed at a residence, the responsibility for keeping it clean and in good condition belongs to the customer. We will repair or replace broken totes at no cost providing the damage is not due to neglect or misuse.

Why did they dump the tote but not my personal can?

For safety reasons as well as ease of service we would prefer that all trash be placed in a tote that is provided for you at no additional cost. If you regularly have more trash than will fit into one 95-gallon tote we would be happy to provide you with as many as you need for an additional $3 each per month. We also understand that it is only sometimes that not all of your trash/yard waste etc. will fit and you need to use other containers. When you must use other containers keep these rules in mind.

  1. A trashcan is defined as a container specifically designed to hold trash, it must have a lid and at least two handles attached or molded to it for ease of lifting and dumping. We would prefer that personal trashcans be limited to 40-gallons. No other containers are authorized for use.
  2. Is the trashcan too heavy? Anything over 65lbs. may be left if the crew cannot dump it safely
  3. Is the trashcan in bad repair? It may not be dumped if it is in such bad condition that it will fall apart or break and spread trash if it is picked up.
  4. What does your trashcan contain? It will not be dumped if it contains dead animals or animal parts (not kitchen waste) or any other substance that is illegal or harmful.
  5. What is your service level? If you are on Full Service with a 90-gallon tote then we should take everything (see exceptions above). If you are on Reduced Service and have a 60-gallon tote then we will take only what is in the tote. If you are on the 1-Can Limit then we only take what is inside a 32-gallon (non-furnished) trashcan or 2 bags of trash.