A year after recycling carts appeared on the streets of Kansas City, the city will deliver 170,000 trash bins starting next month
Patricia McCallop is a big fan of trash cans: “I love the carts, and they help keep the neighborhood looking nice.”
Washington Wheatley, 79, lives in one of the 12,000 homes in Kansas City that already have trash carts, part of an 18-year-old pilot program that has never been expanded.
But the 65-gallon bins are too heavy and cumbersome for McCallop to get up and down the stairs to her house. She said her neighbor and grandchildren bring the carts to the curb for her.
The Star received numerous questions from readers about how to opt out of the bins. Here’s what you need to know.
What should I do if I don’t want a garbage truck?
People with disabilities can request an assistance stop and unsubscribe from purchasing a garbage truck. The assistance stop allows you to place your trash bags in a different location, such as at your door, for collection, according to city spokesperson Sherae Honeycutt.
How do I apply for a social assistance stop?
To receive an application, you can contact 311 by calling 816-513-1313, using the city’s online form or submitting an application through the myKCMO app. A request will then be sent to your address.
Next, your doctor will complete the application to verify that you have a diagnosed disability.
What if I don’t have a disability?
Honeycutt said in an email that “All carts will be the same size and required for waste collection, except those eligible for an Assistance Stop.”
This includes people who live on hills, seniors without a diagnosed disability, and those who produce only a small amount of waste.
The requirement for trash carts differs from the rollout of recycling carts, which allowed residents to opt out with a call to 311.
Who is eligible for a waste truck?
People in single-family homes and buildings with six or fewer units on public streets will receive the trash carts.
They look the same as the recycling bins, but with gray lids instead of yellow. Honeycutt said the interchangeable parts make repairs cheaper and easier.
When will I receive my trash?
Similar to the rollout of recycling carts, waste carts will be distributed on the day of waste collection.
Delivery is on track to begin in May and all eligible residents are expected to receive them in October. Find a detailed map of leaf collection regions on the city’s website.
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Wednesday is waste day in the central leaf collection region and Friday is waste day in the North and South leaf collection regions
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Every Thursday waste days
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Wednesday is waste day in the North and South leaf collection regions, and Friday is waste day in the central brush leaf region
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Every Tuesday waste days
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Every Monday waste days
Have more questions about city services in Kansas City? Ask the Service Journalism team at kcq@kcstar.com.
