{"id":1886,"date":"2026-08-07T17:18:00","date_gmt":"2026-08-07T17:18:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.zoresrecycling.com\/blog\/?p=1886"},"modified":"2026-08-07T17:18:00","modified_gmt":"2026-08-07T17:18:00","slug":"marion-county-heavy-trash-pickup-what-you-need-to-know","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.zoresrecycling.com\/blog\/marion-county-heavy-trash-pickup-what-you-need-to-know\/","title":{"rendered":"Marion County Heavy Trash Pickup: What You Need to Know"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you&#8217;ve been stacking old furniture in the garage or wondering what to do with that broken washing machine, Marion County&#8217;s monthly heavy trash pickup service is likely the answer. Offered by the Department of Public Works (DPW), this program gives residents a convenient, cost-free way to dispose of large items that simply won&#8217;t fit in a standard trash cart.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Many residents don&#8217;t know the service exists\u2014or how to use it properly. This guide breaks down everything you need to know, from how the program works and what items are accepted, to how to prepare your items on pickup day and what to do when curbside isn&#8217;t the right fit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.zoresrecycling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Heavy-Trash-Pickup-Marion-County-Indiana.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"900\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/www.zoresrecycling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Heavy-Trash-Pickup-Marion-County-Indiana.jpg\" alt=\"Heavy Trash Pickup in Marion County Indiana\" class=\"wp-image-1888\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.zoresrecycling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Heavy-Trash-Pickup-Marion-County-Indiana.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.zoresrecycling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Heavy-Trash-Pickup-Marion-County-Indiana-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.zoresrecycling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Heavy-Trash-Pickup-Marion-County-Indiana-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.zoresrecycling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Heavy-Trash-Pickup-Marion-County-Indiana-450x300.jpg 450w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Heavy Trash Pickup in Marion County Indiana<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-medium-font-size\">What Is Heavy Trash Pickup in Marion County?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Heavy trash pickup is a monthly curbside collection service for large, bulky items that can&#8217;t fit inside your standard 96-gallon trash cart. Think old couches, water heaters, mattresses, and lawnmowers\u2014items that are too big for regular trash but still need to go.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-small-font-size\">How It Differs From Regular Trash Collection<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Regular trash collection happens five days a week and requires all waste to be bagged and placed inside your trash cart. Heavy trash pickup, by contrast, occurs once a month and allows residents to place bulky items directly on the curb, next to (not inside) the trash cart.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The key limitation: residents are limited to two heavy or bulky items per month. If you have more than two, you&#8217;ll need to plan ahead or consider an alternative drop-off option.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-medium-font-size\"><strong>How to Find Your Heavy Trash Pickup Day<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Marion County does not require residents to call or schedule a specific appointment for heavy trash pickup. Instead, each address in Marion County is assigned a designated heavy trash pickup day that occurs automatically, once a month.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-small-font-size\">Finding Your Pickup Day<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">To find your specific heavy trash pickup day, visit indy.gov\/activity\/trash-pickup and click the green &#8220;Get Started&#8221; button. Enter your home address and the tool will display both your regular trash pickup day and your monthly heavy trash pickup day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-small-font-size\">Contacting the Department of Public Works<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you&#8217;re unable to find your pickup day online or have additional questions, you can reach the Department of Public Works directly:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Phone: 317-327-4000<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Hours: 8 a.m.\u20135 p.m., Monday\u2013Friday<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Address: City-County Building, 200 E. Washington St., Indianapolis, IN 46204<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-small-font-size\">Holiday Schedule<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Heavy trash pickup follows the same slide schedule as regular trash. If your pickup day falls on one of the below holidays, collection will shift one day later:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>New Year&#8217;s Day<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Martin Luther King Jr. Day<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Memorial Day<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Juneteenth<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Independence Day<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Labor Day<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Thanksgiving Day<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Christmas Day<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Note: Holidays that fall on a weekend are not observed, meaning pickup continues on its regular schedule.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-medium-font-size\"><strong>What Items Are Accepted for Heavy Trash Pickup?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Knowing what qualifies as heavy trash will save you time\u2014and prevent your items from being tagged and left behind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-small-font-size\">Accepted Items<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The following bulky items are eligible for heavy trash pickup:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Household appliances without Freon<\/strong>, such as stoves and water heaters<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Box springs and mattresses<\/strong> (must be placed flat on the ground, not leaned against other objects)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Household furniture<\/strong>, including couches, desks, dressers, tables, and chairs<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Lawnmowers<\/strong> (gas and oil must be fully drained before placing at the curb)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Swing sets<\/strong> <strong>and disassembled bicycles<\/strong> (assembled bicycles are accepted but must be properly labeled)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Bundled yard waste<\/strong>, such as limbs up to 3 feet in diameter and 3 feet in length (counts as one heavy trash item)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-small-font-size\">Items That Are NOT Accepted<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Several categories of items cannot be collected through the heavy trash program:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Appliances containing Freon<\/strong> (e.g., refrigerators, air conditioners) \u2014 contact the Mayor&#8217;s Action Center to arrange a special pickup<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Electronics and televisions<\/strong> \u2014 Indiana law (IC 13-20.5) prohibits e-waste disposal through curbside collection; take these to a ToxDrop <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.zoresrecycling.com\/blog\/eco-friendly-disposal-a-complete-guide-to-recycling-your-electronics\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">electronics recycling site<\/a><\/strong> instead<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Construction debris<\/strong> \u2014 this will not be collected under any circumstances<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Household hazardous waste (HHW)<\/strong>, such as paint, chemicals, and batteries<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Tires<\/strong>, including bike, motorcycle, go-karts, and all other tires<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If unacceptable items are placed at the curb, your service provider will attach a tag explaining why they weren&#8217;t collected and what steps you can take next.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-medium-font-size\"><strong>Preparation Tips for Heavy Trash Pickup Day<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Getting your items ready properly matters. A few simple steps can make the difference between a smooth pickup and a missed collection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-small-font-size\">Placement and Timing<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Place all items at the curb by 7 a.m. on your designated heavy trash day<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Items should be placed next to your trash cart, not inside it<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Keep items at least five feet away from other objects, buildings, and vehicles<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-small-font-size\">Item-Specific Guidelines<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Mattresses and box springs:<\/strong> Always lay these flat on the ground. Leaning them against fences or other items can lead to a missed pickup.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Lawnmowers:<\/strong> Drain all gasoline and oil before setting out. This is both a safety requirement and a condition of pickup.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Bicycles:<\/strong> Assembled bicycles must be labeled clearly. Disassembled bicycles don&#8217;t require a label.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-small-font-size\">If Your Items Aren&#8217;t Collected<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If your items are left behind, check for a tag from your service provider\u2014it will specify the reason and explain how to meet the requirements. You can also contact the Department of Public Works at 317-327-4000 for further assistance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-small-font-size\">Need to Dispose of More Than Two Items?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you have more than two heavy items, you have a couple of options:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Citizens&#8217; Transfer Station<\/strong> (2324 S. Belmont Ave.) \u2014 Open Saturdays, 8 a.m.\u20134 p.m.; $2 per carload or $5 per SUV or pickup truck (cash only)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>South Side Landfill<\/strong> (2561 Kentucky Ave.) \u2014 Open Monday through Friday, 5 a.m.\u20137 p.m., and Saturday, 5 a.m.\u20133 p.m.; pricing is volume-based<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-small-font-size\">Need to Dispose of Scrap Metal Items?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you need to <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.zoresrecycling.com\/metal-recycling-services.php\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">recycle scrap metal items<\/a><\/strong>, consider taking them to Zore&#8217;s Recycling located at 1300 N. Mickley Ave. We accept a wide variety of scrap metal, including aluminum, steel, copper, and more. Open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m., Zore&#8217;s Recycling ensures your materials are processed responsibly and sustainably.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-medium-font-size\"><strong>Frequently Asked Questions<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How many heavy trash items can I put out each month?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Residents are limited to two heavy or bulky items per heavy trash pickup. This limit applies each month, regardless of how many items you have.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Do I need to call and schedule my heavy trash pickup?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">No. Heavy trash pickup is automatically assigned to your address and occurs once a month. Use the address lookup tool at indy.gov to find your specific pickup day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Can I put out a refrigerator for heavy trash pickup?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Not through the standard program. Refrigerators contain Freon and require special handling. Contact the Mayor&#8217;s Action Center to arrange a separate pickup for these appliances.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What happens if I miss my heavy trash pickup day?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You&#8217;ll need to wait until your next scheduled monthly pickup. Alternatively, you can take extra items to the Citizens&#8217; Transfer Station or South Side Landfill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Can I put out a TV or old computer?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">No. Indiana law prohibits the disposal of electronics through curbside or heavy trash pickup. Take electronics to a ToxDrop drop-off site or to RecycleForce for proper recycling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Make the Most of Your Monthly Pickup<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Marion County&#8217;s heavy trash pickup service is a practical, free resource that many residents never fully take advantage of. One scheduled pickup per month, two items at a time\u2014it won&#8217;t solve every disposal challenge, but used consistently, it can make a real difference in keeping your home and neighborhood clean.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Plan ahead, know what qualifies, and prepare your items properly. That&#8217;s all it takes to use this program effectively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Have scrap metal to dispose of?<\/strong> Before placing metal appliances, old equipment, or junk at the curb, consider calling Zore&#8217;s Recycling in Indianapolis first. Zore&#8217;s pays cash on the spot for all types of scrap metal\u2014from old appliances and aluminum to copper, electronics, and even junk cars.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><a href=\"tel:317-244-0700\">Call Now<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Related Posts<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.zoresrecycling.com\/blog\/how-to-safely-dispose-of-your-unwanted-washer-and-dryer\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">How To Safely Dispose of Your Unwanted Washer and Dryer<\/a><br><a href=\"https:\/\/www.zoresrecycling.com\/blog\/how-to-recycle-junk-appliances-in-indianapolis\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">How to Recycle Junk Appliances in Indianapolis<\/a><br><a href=\"https:\/\/www.zoresrecycling.com\/blog\/how-to-dispose-of-scrap-rebar\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">How to Dispose of Scrap Rebar<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Many residents don&#8217;t know the service exists\u2014or how to use it properly. This guide breaks down everything you need to know, from how the program works and what items are accepted, to how to prepare your items on pickup day and what to do when curbside isn&#8217;t the right fit. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.zoresrecycling.com\/blog\/marion-county-heavy-trash-pickup-what-you-need-to-know\/\">Continue reading <span class=\"meta-nav\">&rarr;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1888,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[589,80],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1886","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-container-roll-off-service","category-recycling"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.zoresrecycling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1886","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.zoresrecycling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.zoresrecycling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.zoresrecycling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.zoresrecycling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1886"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.zoresrecycling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1886\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1889,"href":"https:\/\/www.zoresrecycling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1886\/revisions\/1889"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.zoresrecycling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1888"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.zoresrecycling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1886"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.zoresrecycling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1886"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.zoresrecycling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1886"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}