Your Guide to Waste Disposal in New Orleans
You throw out trash every day without even a thought. Trash disposal rules and restrictions can vary by location, but what specific rules apply to New Orleans? Let’s break it down! And yes, before we get into it, Mardi Gras beads are recyclable and can be taken to the local recycling drop-off.
New Orleans produces over 25 million pounds of Mardi Gras beads every year, and recycling them keeps plastic out of storm drains and waterways. Arc-GNO accepts Mardi Gras beads, which are then recycled and sold the following year to float riders.
Disposing of Hazardous Materials in New Orleans
Household Hazardous Waste encompasses leftover household products that contain corrosive, toxic, ignitable, or reactive ingredients. Examples include:
- Paints, solvents, and chemicals
- Pesticides and herbicides
- Batteries (car and household)
- Fluorescent bulbs and tubes
Residents cannot and should not place Household Hazardous Waste in trash during regular pick-up. The city occasionally offers HHW Materials Collection Days. For the latest information and dates, visit the city website. Please note that the special collection day is open only to Orleans Parish residents; businesses are excluded.
Disposing of Electronics in New Orleans
In New Orleans, you cannot throw electronics in the regular trash because they contain hazardous materials that are dangerous to the environment and public health if sent to a landfill. Common electronics include televisions, computers and printers.
In New Orleans, some of these electronics are considered hazardous materials and should not be disposed of in the regular trash. These can be disposed of on a HHW Materials Collection Day or taken to the Elysian Fields recycling drop-off. The city website mentions that the following can be recycled:
- E-Waste (computers, laptops, telephones/telephone systems, keyboards, speakers, telephone/computer cables, x-boxes, PlayStation, Wii, MP3/DVD/CD players, UPS, Circuit boards, Portable Navigation/GPS devices, ink jet/toner cartridges, digital cameras/video recorders (DVRs), fax machines, small printers, monitors, processors, networking equipment, stereos, security systems)
- Batteries (AA, AAA, AAAA, C, D, 6 & 9 volt, Lithium)
- Light bulbs (Incandescent and fluorescent)
- Televisions (Limit 4)
Disposing of Furniture in New Orleans
To schedule pickup for large items, such as sofas, mattresses, tires and other bulky waste, residents must call 311. Do not place bulky items at the curb earlier than 24 hours before your scheduled solid waste collection day — doing so may result in a fine. Bulky waste pickup is not available for small businesses.
Bulky waste refers to items too large or heavy for standard collection carts, including white goods, sofas, mattresses, tires, and similar large items.
Disposing of Tires in New Orleans
In New Orleans, up to 4 tires can be placed curbside for residential trash collection on the eligible location’s scheduled solid waste collection day.
Disposing of Yard Waste in New Orleans
The city defines yard waste as:
- Less than 6 bags of leaves, weeds, grass, small vegetation/hedge clippings, with each bag weighing 50 pounds or less
- Less than 6 bundles of small tree limbs, with each bundle less than in 4 feet in length and 12 inches in diameter, with each bundle weighing 50 pounds or less
Place yard waste in bundles or bags and set it beside your cart on your regular solid-waste collection day. Do not set yard waste out more than 24 hours before your scheduled pickup; doing so may result in a fine.
Disposing of Construction Debris in New Orleans
Currently two landfills accept Construction and Demolition (C&D) and other materials for a fee:
Gentilly C&D Landfill
10200 Almonaster Blvd
New Orleans, LA 70127
Phone: (504) 240-0380
RiverBirch Landfill
2000 S. Kenner Ave
Avondale, LA 70094
Phone: (504) 436-1288
When to Rent a Dumpster Instead
Our team can help you determine when it may be appropriate to get a large roll-off dumpster – we have many sizes ranging from 10 to 40 yards. Dumpsters are very helpful for things like:
- Home renovations
- Roof replacements
- Estate cleanouts
- Large yard projects where city pickup rules don’t cover the volume or type of debris.
*Hazardous waste, electronics, and certain items (like paints or tires beyond the 4 allowed) cannot go in your dumpster.
Keep NOLA Clean
It’s important to remember that rules and schedules can change after storms or holidays, so checking city updates is essential. Fines can apply for illegal dumping, which is a big problem in New Orleans.
Proper disposal in New Orleans protects your neighborhood, reduces pollution, and helps the city run more efficiently. Whether you’re renting a NOLA dumpster for a renovation, scheduling bulky-item pickup through 311, dropping off electronics or batteries at an Elysian Fields, or taking C&D materials to a permitted landfill, following local rules — especially for hazardous items like paints, batteries, fluorescent bulbs, and certain electronics — avoids fines and keeps dangerous materials out of landfills and waterways.
Before you dispose of anything, check the city website or call 311 for the latest schedules, accepted items, and special collection dates, since rules and services change. Taking a few extra minutes to sort waste properly pays off: you’ll protect public health and the environment, save money, and make cleanup day simpler for everyone in New Orleans.