A Quick Guide to Out-of-Cart Waste
Overview
As of September 1, 2023, the rules of out-of-cart waste pickup in Baton Rouge have significantly changed. The large trucks that used to pick up piles of assorted waste are no longer part of the regular service that we pay for in our water/trash bill. Most of what's picked up now is done by hand and is governed by the rules below.
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More detailed info can also be found on The City of Baton Rouge's page about garbage collection.
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For a full discussion about this issue in our neighborhood, see the blog post about it here.
If you need clarification or assistance with out-of-cart waste collection, please email the Melrose Civic Association:
melroseplacebatonrouge@gmail.com
Collection for out-of-cart waste in Melrose Place occurs every Friday.
1. A maximum of 10 out-of-cart items on a single collection day.
There are 3 categories for acceptable out-of-cart items.
Yard waste
Includes cuttings or trimmings from trees, shrubs, or lawns, and similar materials such as grass, leaves, flowers, stalks, tree trimmings, brush, and branches, including clean woody vegetative material. An "item" in this case is an easy-to-handle bundle or a bag, each no more than 40 lbs. (See 4, below)
Bulk waste
This is solid waste that is not easily placed in a garbage cart. Bulk waste includes, but is not limited to, furniture, mattresses and box springs, carpet from a single room, bicycles, toilets, and other similar items. It can also include solid waste enclosed in bags or bundles.
Bulk Recyclables
Includes automobile tires (without rims!), appliances, and equipment such as lawn mowers and trimmers.
2. Construction debris will NOT be picked up by the city.
Bulk construction debris (fencing materials, ripped out floors, renovation waste, etc.) will NOT be collected even if the resident did the demolition work. Residents are responsible for having this waste hauled off in all cases - for example, by a private waste management company. When working with contractors, make sure there's an agreement that they will haul off the debris they generate.
3. Trees and really large limbs will NOT be picked up by the city.
Waste created from cutting down trees or large limbs (larger than 6 inches in diameter) will not be collected even if the resident did the work. Residents are responsible for having this waste hauled off - for example, by a private waste management company. The major exceptions to this is when we've been heavily effected by storms or when the city or a utility company has generated the waste. When working with arborists and landscapers, make sure there's an agreement that they will haul off the debris they generate.
4. Other woody waste must follow size guidelines.
Woody waste is a special type of yard waste (see #1 above). There are size and weight limitations:
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Branches must not exceed 6 inches in diameter
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Branches and brush must be cut to no longer than 5 foot pieces
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All woody debris should be stacked neatly in distinct bundles (a compact pile) no heavier than 40 pounds
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Do not include stumps or trunks (see #3 above)
To get tree trimmings within the size guidelines, we recommend using a tool like garden shears or a saw to cut down branches to the maximum allowed length.
5. Do not mix types of waste or create haphazard piles.
When different types of waste (see #1) are mixed together or appear to be a loose, sprawling heap, it will be ignored by waste collectors. Make things easier for our service workers by creating neat and well-separated piles that are easy to pick up by hand.