Junk removal in Lincoln, NE.

Lincoln, Nebraska (#72 nationally) operates a unique waste management system: the City does NOT provide municipal trash collection. Lincoln residents are required to contract with one of 17+ licensed private haulers for waste service, with no city-assigned zones or collection days. Nebraska state law BANS yard waste from landfills April 1 through November 30, requiring all haulers to collect yard waste separately during this period and send it to composting facilities. The City’s Bluff Road Landfill (6001 Bluff Road) handles solid waste and yard waste composting with tipping fees of $52.09/ton for construction waste and $25.15/ton for yard waste. Some haulers like Husker Refuse include 1 free bulk item per month with service. This guide covers every disposal option for City of Lincoln residents.

Free options at a glance

Lincoln residents have several free disposal pathways. Bulk pickup is bundled with some hauler service plans (Husker Refuse, for example, includes 1 free bulk item per month). Yard waste must be handled separately from April through November under state law. Strong nonprofit donation network handles usable items.

Choosing a licensed hauler

Lincoln’s system requires every household to contract with a licensed private hauler. There are 17+ licensed haulers, all with different rates, days, and bulk policies.

Major licensed haulers:

· D&D Refuse & Recycling: (402) 423-3708, lincolngarbage.com

· Husker Refuse Services: huskerrefuse.com (includes 1 free bulk item per month)

· American Refuse LLC: 402-261-5646

· Houser Refuse, Uribe Refuse, L&W Garbage, Niederhaus Refuse, WM and others

Find the full list: lincoln.ne.gov/Solid Waste Management/Collectors.

What every Lincoln hauler typically provides:

· 96-gallon wheeled cart for trash (holds 6-7 standard 40-gallon bags; 280 lb capacity)

· 96-gallon cart for recycling (single-stream, weekly)

· Yard waste collection in paper bags (April 1 – November 30, state law)

· Weekly service on a designated day for your neighborhood

What to ask haulers when comparing:

· Weekly trash and recycling rate

· Bulk pickup policy — included or extra? How many free per year/month?

· Yard waste collection rate (mandatory April–November)

· Holiday delays

· Notification system

Set-out timing: Place carts at curb the night before service day for accessibility by automated trucks (and to avoid extra return-trip fees from haulers due to fuel costs). Carts must be accessible by 6:00 AM.

Switching haulers: When you switch, the new hauler typically provides a postage-paid postcard for you to sign and mail to your previous hauler to cancel service. If you have automatic payments set up with your previous hauler, you must call them directly to cancel recurring payments. Cart removal is the previous hauler’s responsibility once they’re notified.

Holiday observance varies by hauler. For example, Husker Refuse only observes Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day; if your service falls on those, your service may be delayed. Husker Refuse customers are notified if there’s a change.

Missed pickup: Contact your hauler directly. For example, Husker Refuse asks for notification by 6 AM the morning after your regularly scheduled service day.

Nebraska’s yard waste landfill ban

Nebraska state law bans yard waste (grass and leaves) from landfills April 1 through November 30. This is unusual for a state-level rule and shapes how every Lincoln hauler operates during the warm season.

What counts as yard waste under the ban:

· Grass and leaves (including crabgrass and pine needles)

· Garden waste (April-November)

What does NOT count as yard waste (goes with trash):

· Brush and tree limbs (must be cut to 4 feet or smaller, bundled)

· Branches

Container rules during ban:

· Yard waste must be in special biodegradable paper bags (sold at area retail stores)

· Plastic bags are NOT accepted

· Yard waste must be free of garbage, litter, soil, and other debris

Off-season (December–March): Tree trimmings, garden waste, and weeds may be included with regular household garbage. The state law only applies April through November.

Compost destination: Yard waste collected during the ban is sent to composting facilities, including the Bluff Road Landfill yard waste composting operation.

Self-haul yard waste: Bluff Road Landfill accepts yard waste self-haul at $25.15/ton.

Bluff Road Landfill

The Bluff Road Landfill (6001 Bluff Road, 402-441-8102) is the City-operated regional disposal facility for Lancaster County. Self-haul accepted with tipping fees.

What it accepts:

· Solid waste

· Construction debris

· Yard waste (composted)

· Appliances

· Furniture

Tipping fees:

· $52.09/ton construction waste

· $25.15/ton yard waste

· Solid waste tipping fees vary — call 402-441-8102 for current rates

Useful for: Move-out cleanouts, post-renovation debris, items beyond your hauler’s bulk allowance.

Alternative: North 48th Street Transfer Station, 5101 N. 48th Street, accepts solid waste, appliances, and furniture for disposal fees.

HHW resources

Lincoln does not have a dedicated municipal HHW facility, but several resources handle hazardous materials:

City HHW collection events: The City and Lancaster County periodically host HHW collection events. Visit lincoln.ne.gov/Solid Waste Management for current event schedules.

Auto parts stores (year-round, free):

· AutoZone, O’Reilly Auto Parts, Advance Auto Parts: Used motor oil, antifreeze, and lead-acid batteries free year-round at multiple Lincoln locations.

Latex paint: Let dry completely with kitty litter, then dispose in regular trash.

Electronics:

· Best Buy stores accept most consumer electronics free at customer service

· Some Lincoln-area electronics recyclers and computer repair shops accept e-waste

· Lincoln HHW events typically accept electronics

Medications: Lincoln Police substations and some pharmacies have secure drop-off bins for unwanted medications.

Batteries: Best Buy and Home Depot accept rechargeable batteries free.

Donation pickup, what gets accepted

Donation programs accept items in good usable condition: clean upholstered furniture without significant tears or stains, working appliances less than 10 years old, mattresses in good condition (subject to program rules), kitchenware, lamps, and most household goods.

Items typically not accepted: damaged or stained furniture, mattresses with bedbug history or significant wear, appliances that don’t work, particle-board furniture in poor condition, cribs (federal safety regulations have changed), and exercise equipment that requires reassembly. Always call the program before scheduling.

Paid options

For items beyond your hauler’s bulk allowance, items the city/landfill won’t accept, or households needing in-home loading, paid options are available.

What to do, by item type

Reporting illegal dumping in Lincoln

Report illegal dumping to the Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department at 402-441-8000 or via lincoln.ne.gov. For active dumping in progress, call Lincoln Police non-emergency.

For Nebraska state environmental violations, contact the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy (NDEE).

Photos with timestamps and license plate numbers significantly improve enforcement outcomes. See our complete illegal dumping guide for Nebraska state penalty information and reporting best practices.

Common questions