Don’t want a new trash cart in Kansas City? This is what you can do to opt out
A year after recycling carts appeared on Kansas City streets, the city began to deliver 170,000 rolling trash receptacles starting Wednesday, May 1.
Patricia McCallop is a big trash can fan: “I just love the carts, and they help keep the neighborhood looking nice.”
The 79-year-old Washington Wheatley resident lives in one of the 12,000 homes in Kansas City that already have trash carts as part of an 18-year-old pilot program that never expanded.
But the 65-gallon bins are too heavy and unwieldy for McCallop to move up and down the stairs to her home. She said her neighbor and grandkids take the carts out to the curb for her.
The Star received numerous questions from readers about how to opt out of the trash bins. Here’s what you should know.
What if I don’t want a trash cart?
People with disabilities can apply for an assistance stop and opt out of getting a trash cart. With the assistance stop, you can put your trash bags in another location, like by your door, for collection, according to Sherae Honeycutt, a city spokesperson.
How do I apply for an assistance stop?
To receive an application, contact 311 by calling 816-513-1313, using the city’s online form or submitting a request through the myKCMO app. An application will then be mailed to your address.
Then, your doctor will fill out the application to verify you have a diagnosed disability.
What if I don’t have a disability?
Honeycutt said in an email that “All carts will be the same size and are required for trash collection, except those who qualify for an Assistance Stop.”
You will have to get a cart if you do not have a diagnosed disability, even if you live on a hill, are a senior or produce only a small amount of trash.
The requirement for trash carts differs from the recycling cart rollout, where residents could refuse with a call to 311.
Who is eligible to get a trash cart?
People in single-family homes and buildings with six or fewer units on public streets will receive the trash carts.
They’ll look the same as the recycling bins but with gray lids instead of yellow. Honeycutt said the interchangeable parts make repairs cheaper and easier.
When will I receive my trash cart?
Like the recycling cart rollout, garbage carts will be distributed by trash pickup day.
Delivery began in early May, with all eligible residents expected to receive them by October.
Some trash days will be split up by region. Find a detailed map of leaf pickup regions on the city’s website.
- Wednesday trash day in the Central leaf pickup region and Friday trash day in the North and South leaf pickup regions
- All Thursday trash days
- Wednesday trash day in the North and South leaf pickup regions, and Friday trash day in the Central brush leaf region
- All Tuesday trash days
- All Monday trash days
Have more questions about city services in Kansas City? Ask the Service Journalism team at kcq@kcstar.com.
This story was originally published April 17, 2024 at 5:11 PM.
