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Trash / Sanitation

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1. Is it acceptable to place furniture, large items or overflow trash next to a dumpster or trash container?

No. Routine trash collection services DO NOT include the following: furniture, construction materials, large items, appliances, tires, landscaping materials, hazardous materials, and paint.

All trash must be placed in the trash container and containers should not be overfilled. Detailed information about special trash collection services is available here: Special Waste Disposal Services

2. How can I schedule special trash pickup services and what is the cost?

The city offers special sanitation services for some items, such as tree limbs, appliances and furniture, that are not included in the routine residential service.  Extra pickup services can be scheduled using the city's automated Utility Information Hotline at 240-1401, or by calling 240-1480. Fees for special residential services will be included on your monthly utility bill.

3. If my normal trash pickup day falls on a city-observed holiday, what day will it be collected?

Scheduled trash collection days that fall on a city-observed holiday will be rescheduled to occur on alternative days on the same week. The Holiday Collection Schedules and Maps document provides collection information for each holiday.

The holidays observed by the city are: New Years Day, President's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.

Notices are routinely placed on utility bills to alert customers to changes in collection schedules due to holidays.

4. How do I dispose of household hazardous waste?

There is no facility in Montrose for disposing of hazardous waste. Events that the city may sponsor for collecting household hazardous waste, paint, electronics and similar materials will be advertised in the City Beat newsletter and on the city's Web site. Hazardous materials and electronic wastes should never be placed in city sanitation containers. Helpful tips for handling special waste ...

5. What day does my trash get picked up?

Once every week residential trash service is provided. All areas of the City are assigned a designated pick-up day. For further information, see the Pick-up Schedules & Routes

6. Why wasn't my trash picked up today?

Missed pickups are usually due to one of the following:
Failure to get the container to the street by 6:00 a.m.
Obstructions, such as vehicles, that block access to the container
Overfilled containers and/or prohibited items
Holiday service interruptions that cause the pickup to be rescheduled for Wednesday of the same week.

The city is not responsible for the customer's failure to use sanitation services properly. If the city is responsible for the missed pickup, please call 240-1480 to correct the problem.

7. What time do I have to have my trash container at curbside?

Containers must be placed curbside by 6:00 am on the scheduled collection day. A $15 charge will be assessed if the customer requests the driver to return for service on the same day.

8. How do I get my trash container repaired?

Call 240-1480 or 240-1400 to schedule a repair. The City will not clean or trade containers if they smell. Washing containers with a mild bleach solution will help control odors.

9. Does the city provide services for disposing of yard waste?

Green waste services are now being provided by S&S Recycling, located at 1915 North Townsend Avenue next to Grand Junction Pipe & Supply. Their hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday. Green Waste Information

10. What should I do if I regularly exceed the capacity of my residential trash container?

A single 90-gallon container (the standard size of residential trash containers) will provide adequate capacity for most households. Those who regularly exceed the capacity of their container have three options: 1) reduce the amount of waste created, 2) divert waste by recycling and composting, and 3) acquire one additional trash container for an additional $10 monthly fee.

To minimize administrative costs, customers requesting additional containers will be required to maintain the service for a minimum of eight months. Call 240-1400 for further information about obtaining an additional trash container.

11. Who is responsible for caring for trash in alleys?

Loose trash in alleys often results from overfilling trash containers or from placing trash bags alongside a full container. Residents and businesses adjoining the alley are responsible for abiding by the city's sanitation rules and for keeping the alley clean. Illegal dumping should be reported immediately by calling 240-1416.

12. Will the city pick up discarded refrigerators?

Yes. A $15.00 fee will be charged, plus an additional $18.00 fee for the removal of freon. If the refrigerator is delivered to the City Shop, located near the northwest corner of the intersection of San Juan and Park Avenues, the customer will be charged only the $18.00. Refrigerant is removed from each unit before it is sent to a recycler.

Refrigerators may be delivered to the City Shop during business hours only, Monday through Thursday, 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Payment by check is acceptable or the cost can be billed to your city utility account. To schedule an appliance pickup, call 240-1480 or the Utility Information Hotline at 240-1401.