Solid Waste Management
Definition
The collection, transportation, processing, recycling, and disposal of garbage, yard waste, and recyclables. Louisville Metro provides curbside collection of trash, recycling, and yard waste for approximately 180,000 households. Effective waste management reduces pollution, conserves resources through recycling, and protects public health. Louisville’s waste goes to landfills in surrounding counties.
Louisville Context
Louisville Metro Government operates waste collection services through Metro Public Works with a budget of approximately $35 million annually. The city provides weekly trash and recycling collection and biweekly yard waste collection. Louisville’s recycling rate is approximately 25%—below the national average of 32% and far below leading cities achieving 50%+. The city has no municipal composting program despite yard waste comprising 20% of residential waste.
Why It Matters
Waste management affects your neighborhood cleanliness, property values, and environmental impact. Higher recycling rates reduce landfill costs, conserve resources, and create local jobs. Inadequate waste services disproportionately burden low-income neighborhoods with illegal dumping, litter, and health hazards.
Dave’s Proposal
Dave will expand Louisville’s recycling program to accept more materials (currently limited to basic plastics, paper, glass, metal). He’ll launch a municipal composting program allowing residents to compost food scraps and yard waste, reducing landfill costs while creating compost for parks and community gardens. These programs will be funded within the $1.025 billion budget and create local green jobs.