Refuse Department

Important information for all city residents!!

Residential Trash Pick-Up Schedule

All residences South of Bison street are picked up on Tuesday.

All residences North of Bison street are picked up on Thursday.
If your pick-up day falls on a holiday, pick-ups will be done the next work day.


Proper Handling and Disposal of Hazardous Waste From Residences:

All oils and anti-freeze must be placed in a closed durable container <one gallon or less in size. (Containers such as milk and juice containers, or coffee cans with lids work fine for storing and transporting these items.)
Liquids cannot be disposed of in household trash, nor with large items for pick up, including but not limited to:

  • Cooking oils
  • Seal oil
  • Petroleum based oils
  • Used motor oil
  • Anti-freeze (AKA Glycol)
  • Paints (oil-based and/or latex)

Remember to always keep oil free of all other substances such as water, rags, plastic, and paper. All liquid items must be kept separated, not mixing with any other liquid, I.E. Oil with anti-freeze.
Other liquids such as milk, water, and water-based foods (that do not contain oil) can be disposed of through household drains.
Batteries are also considered hazardous waste.
All of these items will be accepted at the Baler Building under supervision. There is no charge for the supervised disposal of residential hazardous waste.

For arrangements, call Baler Building at 907-442-2105


Large Item Instructions:

  1. Piles are to be at side of lot, easily accessible by crew.
  2. Complete the orange tag, listing items to be picked up.
  3. Insert the orange tag into the plastic envelope.
  4. Securely attach the envelope to the large item(s) in pile.

Only items listed on the orange tag will be removed by the city
Examples of large items:

  • Furniture 
  • Large appliances
  • Lumber and wood scraps
  • Metal pieces (free of oil and gasoline)

Things not considered large items:

  • Household trash (even if picked up from grounds)
  • Hazardous waste products 
  • Anything that can blow away
  • Vehicles of any sort (these require special handling - contact Ernie Hyatt at Baler Building)

Questions? Call Ernie Hyatt.


Regulations to Control Trash:

Household trash to be picked up must be bagged or boxed securely so it cannot be scattered by the wind.
These bags or boxes should not be heavier than 50 lbs.
Do not place bulk items by the trash unless you want them picked up.
It is hard for the collectors to know if it is your trash or your treasure.

Oil, paint/solvents and batteries must be brought to the baler building on weekdays
Between 10 am–noon and 1 pm–5 pm for proper disposal.
Oil should be in 1 gallon containers.

Do not throw batteries in with household garbage!

Trash Containers

Covered plastic garbage cans are the ideal trash containers.
All boxed or bagged trash must be placed on a raised three sided platform
With the top covered with wire or boards to keep birds out and trash in.

Platform is high enough to keep dogs out, open toward the road and have wire or wood on top to keep out birds.
Knotted ropes or bungee cords are good to put on the front to discourage birds as well.


Kotzebue Municipal Ordinance States:

“It shall be the duty of an person owning or controlling a private premises including vacant lots visibile from any public place or private premises, to maintain such premises in a reasonably clean and orderly manner and to a standard conforming to other orderly premises in that vicinity.

It is in violation to abandon, neglect or disregard the condition or appearance of any premises so as to permit it to accumulate little thereon."

Kotzebue Municipal Code 8.04.110.

Contact the Public Works office at 442-3470 ext. 117 with any questions.

Your help is needed to control the growing trash problem!!

New refuse carts FAQ