Garbage

Bulk Residential Item Collection (Pilot Program)

• Garbage collection: (weekly) Monday through Thursday from 6 AM until 4:30 PM.
• No garbage collection on designated holidays. Garbage collection will be delayed one day throughout the remainder of the week.
• Garbage must be set out at your collection point by 6 AM on your scheduled garbage day  Garbage may be set out the evening before your collection day.
• Garbage must be bagged inside the container.
• Crews will not be return to an address where garbage was not out in time for the initial collection.
• Animal waste must be placed in a plastic bag and sealed shut before placing into waste container.
• Grass trimmings and yard waste must be bagged and placed into your garbage container. 
• Branches may be placed in your City issued garbage container if they are cut up into short pieces, (2' or less) so they don’t interfere with the dumping of the can. 
• Construction debris is not allowed in the container and will not be picked up by City crews. All waste generated by a contractor will be the responsibility of the contractor or occupant to dispose of at the landfill. Charges will apply.
• It is unlawful for any person other than the owner or other authorized person, to remove any refuse material from the solid waste container, storage area, or collection point of another or from the city disposal grounds.
• If a property is sold, the city-issued container remains with the property.

Items will not be collected on the regular garbage route.

• Appliances and Electronics
• Box Springs and Mattresses
• Building Material
• Carpet
• Concrete
• Construction and Remodeling Debris
• Decks and Fences
• Dirt
• Furniture Items
• Hazardous Waste
• Oil
• Propane Tanks
• Rocks
• Sand
• Sod
• Trees

• Place the city-issued container at the end of the driveway; 3-feet away from any other containers, light poles, signs, or mail boxes.
• Place garbage container at least 3-feet away from the green/yellow recycling container.
• The handle of the city-issued container must face the house.
• Garbage containers cannot be stored on the boulevard.
• Alley pickup. Garbage cans must be placed within 3-feet of the alley.
• Do not "pack" garbage into the city-issued container or garbage cans. Contents must fall freely when it is dumped.
• Containers must be free of snow and ice and not blocked by parked vehicles or other items.

Large containers (Dumpsters) used at apartment buildings and complexes

• Dumpsters must not be blocked by parked vehicles or other items.
• Dumpsters must be free of snow and ice.
•  It is the property owner’s responsibility to clear snow and ice around dumpsters.  In order to ensure that the waste is emptied during the winter months the snow and ice must be removed in front and around the container.  
• The container must be moved a minimum of 7 feet from where it is setting in order to be emptied.  The waste collection crew must be able to maneuver the container in order to hook it up to the truck.

Before you know it’ll be the time to find a proper place to dispose of your Christmas tree, wrapping paper and packaging. The Bismarck Christmas tree collection schedule, tree disposal and holiday recycling tips are here at your fingertips! 

Did you know that the Christmas trees collected are recycled? They are taken to the Bismarck landfill and ground into wood chips.

City of Bismarck Christmas Tree Collection: January 5 - January 15, 2026

• Remove all lights, ornaments, and stands from the tree.
• Make sure the tree is not wrapped in any plastic or placed inside a plastic bag.
• Christmas trees will be picked up on the regular scheduled collection day.
• Christmas trees will be picked up at the regular collection point.
• Apartment Complexes should set Christmas trees by the dumpster for collection.
• A separate truck will collect the Christmas trees to be recycled.

Holiday Recycling Tips

• Don’t put polystyrene foam packaging in your recycling cart
• Recycle ONLY paper Christmas wrapping paper- no foil or glitter
• Breakdown cardboard boxes to save space in your cart
• Do recycle paper-based wrapping and reuse gift bags
• Do not put bows, ribbons and cellophane wrapping in your curbside recycling container
• Do recycle cardboard packaging.
• Do not place wires, foam and/or loose plastics in your recycling container.
• Decorations:  Do pack up holiday decorations for reuse next year 
• Don't put glass ornaments or strings of lights into your recycling bin.

The mission of the Solid Waste Utility is to provide high-quality solid waste collection and disposal services in a timely and effective manner to promote the safety and welfare of the City residents.

The Solid Waste division is responsible for the collection, management, and disposal of solid waste.  The Waste Department consists of 34 full-time employees working in two sections; waste collection and waste disposal.

The City of Bismarck contracts with Waste Management of ND, Inc. for collection, transportation and processing of residential recycling.  Single-sort curbside recycling is offered to single family and duplex homes.