Trash and Recycling

Trash and Recycling Collection

Republic Services provides trash and recycling services for the City of Bluffton. The following is additional information provided by Republic Services:

  • Trash is picked up weekly and recyclables every other week.
  • The fee for 2026 is $21.90.
  • Each residence is limited to one 96-gallon bin of trash and one 96-gallon bin for recyclables. Trash must be placed in bags before putting it in the trash cart.
  • Republic Services will not take large piles of construction material, we recommend that you rent a dumpster.
  • Grass clippings, left in piles, provide harborage for mosquitoes and the decaying grass creates unpleasant odors. Therefore, the City of Bluffton does not pick up lawn grass clippings. Republic Services will accept bagged grass clipping with the regular trash collection in the 96-gallon bin.
  • Trash and recycling must be placed at the curb and at least 3 feet apart.
  • If you have a missing or damaged trash and/or recycling cart, please contact Republic Services at 1-800-876-9001 or 260-747-4117.

Pickup Days

  • Monday - through All homes north of the Wabash River.
  • Tuesday -  through All homes south of the Wabash River, west of the center line of Wayne Street, and north of the center line of Wiley Avenue.
  • Wednesday - through All homes south of the center line of Wiley Avenue and west of the center line of Wayne Street. Also, all homes are east of the center line of Wayne Street.

If you feel you have been missed, email the Bluffton Mayor's Office or use our simple 311 app to Report a Concern.

Printable Resources

Special Collection Weeks and Bulk Pick-up

Three weeks during each year the contractor will collect unlimited bags of trash. They are the weeks proceeding Spring Clean Up, Fall Clean Up, and the trash pickup day directly following Christmas. Residents are allowed to set out additional trash bags, not to exceed 30 gallons.

The 2026 Spring Clean-Up date is May 9th, with unlimited trash pickup the week prior (May 4th-6th)

Anytime you need additional items collected that cannot fit inside your trash cart, there are two additional pre-paid programs at your disposal:

Prepaid extras trash tags/stickers: Extras trash bags not to exceed 30 gallons (tall kitchen bags) set outside the 96-gallon cart with the lid closed. $2.50 per sticker on each extra bag set out on your regular trash collection day. Stickers can be purchased at the City Clerk Treasurer's office.

Bulk/Heavy Items: Defined as larger pieces of furniture, mattresses, box springs, chairs, sofas, rolls of carpet and padding, and non-Freon household appliances not to exceed 40 lbs. $25 per item prepaid by the resident by contacting Republic Services directly to pre-schedule pick-up. To prepay and schedule call 800-876-9001.

Republic Services Holiday Pickup Schedules

There are six major holidays that we recognize: New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. When one of those six holidays falls on a weekday (Monday through Friday), they will not work that day, and all service will be performed one day later for that day and the rest of the week. For example: Labor Day is on Monday. All work for that week will be performed one day later - Tuesday through Saturday. Thanksgiving Day is on Thursday, no change in the service schedule. Only when one of the major holidays falls on a weekday is our service schedule changed to one day later.

Additional Recycling Options

Wells County maintains a drop-off recycling center at 702 W Wabash. It is open Tuesday through Friday from 8 am until 4:30 pm and Saturday from 8 am until noon. You can contact the Recycling Center at 260-824-4828. For information on what is accepted click here.

OmniSource now has collection containers located at the Bluffton Recycling Center for E-Waste. *There is a $20 charge (each) for TVs and Computer Monitors (CRTs). You must go to the Wells County Auditor's office in the Courthouse to purchase a ticket for each TV or CRT before dropping off any TVs or CRTs at the recycling center.

View the OmniSource Recycling Flyer (PDF)

Solid Waste Disposal Alternatives