Cincinnati Recycling Guide & 2026 Calendar
Single-stream recycling pickup is listed for Monday and Tuesday and Wednesday and Thursday and Friday. Item-specific answers appear below.
Cincinnati recycling calendar 2026
Regular collection days: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday. Check the current holiday delay notice for changes to regular pickup.
A verified 2026 recycling calendar has not been provided. Get the official calendar and confirm your route.
Accepted & prohibited recycling
Accepted items
- Plastic bottles and jugs (clean bottles with screw caps reattached)
- Plastic tubs and cups (yogurt, butter, and drink cups rinsed clean)
- Glass jars and bottles of any color (rinse clean; metal lids may be replaced or loose)
- Aluminum cans and cups, steel and tin food cans
- Cartons (milk, juice, soup, and broth cartons; discard straws)
- Cardboard broken down to 3-foot-by-3-foot flat sections
- Paper and paperboard: office paper, newspaper, magazines, envelopes, and cereal boxes
Prohibited items
- Plastic bags and plastic film (never place recyclables in plastic bags; place loose in cart)
- Shredded paper loose in cart (shredded paper must be placed in a clear plastic bag)
- Batteries and electronic waste (prohibited from curbside recycling)
- Polystyrene foam and Styrofoam takeout containers
- Garden hoses, electrical cords, and chains (tanglers)
- Yard waste, food waste, and household garbage
Can you recycle these items in Cincinnati?
Can you recycle cardboard in Cincinnati?
AcceptedFlatten boxes into sections no larger than 3 feet by 3 feet; place loose in green recycling cart.
Can you recycle pizza boxes in Cincinnati?
AcceptedClean cardboard sections are accepted; discard greasy portions in trash.
Can you recycle plastic #1 in Cincinnati?
AcceptedPET #1 bottles and jugs rinsed clean; replace screw caps and place loose in cart.
Can you recycle plastic #2 in Cincinnati?
AcceptedHDPE #2 jugs and bottles rinsed clean; leave caps on.
Can you recycle plastic #3 in Cincinnati?
Not acceptedPlastics #3 are not accepted in Cincinnati single-stream recycling.
Can you recycle plastic #4 in Cincinnati?
Not acceptedPlastic grocery bags and stretch film are not accepted curbside; take to store drop-offs.
Can you recycle plastic #5 in Cincinnati?
AcceptedPP #5 plastic tubs and cups rinsed clean with lids attached are accepted.
Can you recycle plastic #6 in Cincinnati?
Not acceptedPolystyrene and foam food containers are prohibited.
Can you recycle plastic #7 in Cincinnati?
Not acceptedPlastics #7 and mixed plastics are prohibited.
Can you recycle glass in Cincinnati?
AcceptedGlass bottles and jars of any color rinsed clean; place loose in cart.
Can you recycle aluminum in Cincinnati?
AcceptedAluminum beverage cans and cups rinsed clean; place loose in cart.
Can you recycle shredded paper in Cincinnati?
Accepted with conditionsShredded paper is only accepted if securely enclosed in a clear plastic bag.
DPW & sanitation contact
City of Cincinnati Department of Public Services · municipal dpw
Phone: 513-765-1212
1115 Bates AveCincinnati, OH 45225
These collection rules cover Zone Cincinnati Citywide Curbside Routes.
Trash & recycling questions
What days is trash collected in Cincinnati, OH?
Listed trash collection days are Monday and Tuesday and Wednesday and Thursday and Friday. Set containers out Place garbage carts, scheduled bulk items, and recycling at the curb no later than 6 a.m. on collection day and no earlier than 5 p.m. on the previous day. Avoid placing carts behind parked vehicles or obstructions.. These rules apply to Zone Cincinnati Citywide Curbside Routes.
Is garbage pickup delayed for holidays in Cincinnati?
As of 2026-09-23: No observed holidays this week. Collections follow the regular schedule. A listed holiday shifts that day and the remaining collection days in its service week by one day. Observed holidays: New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents' Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day. These rules apply to Zone Cincinnati Citywide Curbside Routes.
How do I schedule bulk trash pickup in Cincinnati?
Up to 5 bulk items may be scheduled per household by calling 311, visiting www.311Cincy.com, or using the 311Cincy app. Bulk items are collected on the scheduled collection day, which is the regular collection day or on Fridays. Items must be set out no earlier than 5 p.m. the evening before and placed curbside away from obstructions. Separate tire pickup allows up to 4 tires. The listed limit is 5 items per pickup. Advance notice is required. Contact sanitation at 513-765-1212 to confirm eligibility and arrange service. These rules apply to Zone Cincinnati Citywide Curbside Routes.
What items are accepted for recycling in Cincinnati?
The listed accepted materials are Plastic bottles and jugs (clean bottles with screw caps reattached), Plastic tubs and cups (yogurt, butter, and drink cups rinsed clean), Glass jars and bottles of any color (rinse clean; metal lids may be replaced or loose), Aluminum cans and cups, steel and tin food cans, Cartons (milk, juice, soup, and broth cartons; discard straws), Cardboard broken down to 3-foot-by-3-foot flat sections, Paper and paperboard: office paper, newspaper, magazines, envelopes, and cereal boxes. Keep these listed prohibited items out: Plastic bags and plastic film (never place recyclables in plastic bags; place loose in cart), Shredded paper loose in cart (shredded paper must be placed in a clear plastic bag), Batteries and electronic waste (prohibited from curbside recycling), Polystyrene foam and Styrofoam takeout containers, Garden hoses, electrical cords, and chains (tanglers), Yard waste, food waste, and household garbage. Confirm item-specific preparation rules with the official sanitation office. These rules apply to Zone Cincinnati Citywide Curbside Routes.