Solid Waste Disposal

The City of Hamilton contracts with Rumpke Waste Removal for refuse collection. Rumpke provides residential and small commercial establishment refuse collection service on a once-a-week schedule. Rumpke's trash collectors work five days a week except for Christmas Day and New Year's Day. When those holidays fall during the week, refuse collection is delayed by one day.

Garbage must be placed out the night before the scheduled collection day or by 7 a.m. on the day of collection. Garbage must be placed in 30-35 gallon containers or fastened garbage bags. Closed cardboard boxes are acceptable for loose or bulky materials. Bulky items including stoves, water tanks, washing machines and furniture are acceptable for weekly pick up.

Non-acceptable items include: overloaded or wet boxes, barrels or drums, construction and remodeling materials, tires and batteries;  items containing chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) including ice makers, window air conditioners, refrigerators and freezers. Items must be tagged with a sticker indicating that the CFCs (or Freon) have been removed by a certified technician.

Rumpke Waste Removal also operates the Refuse Transfer Station at 1000 North Third Street, just north of the Electric Power Plant. This facility provides a convenient in-town dumping site for residents and businesses. The Refuse Transfer Station is open Monday through Saturday from March through November, and Monday through Friday from December through February. Call for fee schedules and hours of operation.

Rumpke Waste Removal - 513.867.8661
Refuse Billing Inquiries - 513.785.7270

Curbside pickup of recyclables, including glass & plastic bottles, aluminum and steel cans and newspapers is provided the same day as regular trash collection. Window glass, mirrors, light bulbs, drinking glasses, pots, pans, coat hangers, paint cans and scrap steel are not acceptable. Participation in the residential recycling program is voluntary, but the fee is mandatory and included in the refuse collection fee.

Curbside yard waste removal is provided by Rumpke on the same day as scheduled trash collection. Branches must be in bundles no larger than 4 feet long, and 2 feet in diameter.

Leaf collection: The City of Hamilton Street Division starts collecting leaves about the end of October or first of November each year. Leaves are to be placed in the gutter during the week of pickup. News releases in the Hamilton Journal News on Saturday and Sunday during the program announce the current schedule and routes. For leaf route descriptions and maps, click here.

Christmas tree collection: During the first two weeks of January, the Street Division picks up discarded Christmas trees. Trees are to be placed at the curb (not the alley) and should have all decorations removed.

Free chipping: For Hamilton residents, the Street Division will accept tree and brush clippings (only) at the Wastewater Treatment Plant, 2451 River Road, from 8:00 A.M. to Noon on the second Saturday of April through October.  Only tree limbs up to 4" in diameter will be accepted for chipping. Other yard waste materials including grass clippings, brush, shrubbery or vine-like yard waste materials WILL NOT be accepted. Call Public Works if you have any questions.