FAQs

Q. Where do I put my trash and recycling carts for collection and when?
A. Set your carts out by 7:00 am on your scheduled collection day.  Remove carts from the street within 24 hours.

• Place wheeled carts against the curb or along the alley with the handle pointing towards your residence.
• Do not block the sidewalk with carts.
• Keep carts at least three feet away from other carts, mail-boxes, fire hydrants, low hanging trees or shrubs, parked cars, or utility poles so trucks can easily access the cart.

Q. Which holidays are observed for trash and recycling collection?
A. Republic Services (formerly Allied Waste) and the Ada County Landfill observe the following holidays:

• New Year's Day
• Memorial Day
• Independence Day
• Labor Day
• Thanksgiving
• Christmas

During holiday weeks, if your normal collection day falls on or after the holiday, your collection will be delayed by one day.  Holidays falling on the weekends will not delay collection.

Q. How do I find out what my service day is?
A. To determine your service day, view Republic Services' interactive map or call (208) 345-1266.

Q. I am a commercial customer and would like to begin recycling service.  Who do I contact?
A. The city of Boise and Republic Services offer commercial recycling service levels ranging from 95-gallon blue carts to 40-yard roll-off boxes.  Call (208) 345-1266 to schedule a free waste analysis consultation by an Republic Services Representative.

Q. Where can I take (or self-haul) my trash?
A. For Boise residents, there are two options.  You may self-haul your trash to the Ada County Landfill or customers can take their trash to the Boise Transfer Station, which is conveniently located in southeast Boise near the airport.  The Transfer Station is open six days a week (8 am - 5 pm), closed Sundays and major holidays.  For more information, please call the Transfer Station at (208) 362-7564.

Q. Why wasn't my trash picked up?
A. Occasionally, Republic Services will not pick up a customer's trash cart. In those cases, the driver will leave an explanation note describing the problem. The most common reasons why the driver does not pick up the trash cart are as follows:

• It was not out at the curb by 7:00am or access to your carts was blocked
• The carts were too heavy.  Overloading carts with rock, dirt, or concrete is dangerous and prohibited
  •  95-gallon carts must not exceed 335 lbs.
  • 65-gallon carts must not exceed 200 lbs.
  • 48-gallon carts must not exceed 168 lbs.
• Cart contains unacceptable materials (i.e. hazardous materials, fluorescent tubes, televisions, etc.)

Q. What should I do with my hazardous waste items such as paint, solvents, batteries and light bulbs?
A. Hazardous materials generated from Boise households must be properly disposed of FREE OF CHARGE at the following locations:

• Rotating Collection Sites
  There are many convenient neighborhood collection sites serviced by the EnviroGuard vehicle.  Each site is open one day per month from 12:00pm  to 7:00 pm and the service is free.  Waste must be dropped off only when the vehicle is present.  To locate the site nearest you, call (208) 384-3901 or visit the Household Hazardous Waste Collection Site calendar for a complete schedule.  Business waste is not accepted at the collection sites.  Businesses must use the Ada County Permanent Collection Facility.
• Ada County Hazardous Waste Collection Facility
  Ada County residents may take household hazardous materials to the collection facility located at the Hidden Hollow Landfill off of Seaman's Gulch Road.  The facility is open every Friday and Saturday from 8:00am to 6:00pm.  Call (208) 384-3901 for more information.

Q. What are examples of household hazardous materials?
A. Items such as solvents, paint/stain/varnish, yard/garden products (including pesticides and herbicides), batteries, automotive products (including gasoline and oil), fluorescent light tubes, TVs, and computer monitors are considered household hazardous waste.  Call (208) 384-3901 for details.

To determine if something is hazardous, examine the label for one of the following signal words:

• Caution
• Danger
• Poison
• Warning
• Corrosive
• Flammable
• Explosive
• Oxidizer
• Irritant
• Environmental Hazard

If the item's label contains one or more signal words, it is hazardous waste and is accepted at the disposal sites listed above.  Do not throw hazardous waste in with your trash or recycling.

Explosives, ammunition, radioactive items, and biomedical waste are not accepted at hazardous waste collection sites.  Call (208) 384-3901, (208) 577-4736, or visit the Ada County Hazardous Waste website for information on proper disposal of prohibited materials.