Be Smart With Your Cart
Being Smart With Your Cart means fully utilizing your green and brown carts! This may allow you to use a smaller blue cart – which is good for your wallet and good for the environment!
You can take it a step further and be super smart by being smart with your shopping cart! The choices you make to prevent waste in the first place can make the biggest impact in reducing the waste you create and do the greatest good for our planet.
How Can I Prevent Waste?
- Buying and using less
- Buying products that last longer
- Buying used
- Buying items with less packaging and packaging that is recyclable
- Choosing to repair and reuse
- Sharing, donating, and re-selling items so others can use them
- Making your own compost to use in your home garden
How Can I Prevent Food Waste?
Did you know that between 30 and 40 percent of food in the U. S. goes uneaten?! That’s 549 pounds per person! Here are few ways you can reduce your food waste at home:
- Buy only what you need – buying bulk doesn’t save you money if you throw half
of it away - Buy fresh, local food – it will last longer
- Store food properly to stay fresh longer
- Freeze food for later
- Love those leftovers
How to Stop Junk Mail
How often does everything in your mailbox go directly into the recycling cart? Did you know you can opt out of many junk mail services? Here’s how to reduce the amount of junk mail in your mailbox:
Sales Flyers/Coupons: Opt out online from Valpak blue envelope coupon. Use the exact address on the mail you receive.
Credit Card and Insurance Offers: Consumer credit reporting companies-Equifax, Experian, Innovis, and TransUnion – sell your information to credit card and insurance companies. Remove your name from their lists using their free opt-out service, OptOutPreScreen.com. They are required by law to honor opt-out requests.
Mass Marketing Lists: Sign up with DMAchoice to remove your name from the marketing lists of 3,600 companies and organizations, which send out 80% of marketing mail in the U.S. DMA requires their members to honor opt-out requests. Opt out of more marketing lists through the National Do Not Mail List.
Catalogues and Other Junk Mail: Sign up with CatalogChoice to stop catalogues and junk mail you no longer want. It’s a free service that works with over 8,000 companies to encourage them to voluntarily honor opt-out requests. If a company is not part of an opt-out service, contact them directly to be removed from their mailing lists. Opting out will not stop all junk mail. You may still receive mail from local businesses, politicians, companies you do business with, and charities you donate to. Avoid getting on lists:
- Tell companies you do business with to remove your name from the lists they rent, sell, or trade to other companies.
- Tell charities not to share your contact information with other organizations.
- Avoid giving out your contact information for surveys, contests, raffles, and product registration and warranty cards. This information is often sold for mailing lists.
How to Donate, Share, Resell, and Buy Used
Keep items out of the landfill by donating them to nonprofits, consigning or selling them to a local reuse store, giving them to neighbors or exchanging them at swaps.
- Goodwill, 2303 Towne Centre Dr., 402-292-0475
- New Life Thrift, 7007 S 36th St, Bellevue, 402-731-9311
- Thrif-T’s, 2229 Thurston Circle, Bellevue, 402-502-7505
- Bellevue Little Theatre Class Act Thrift, 205 W Mission Ave., 402-291-1554
- Children’s Nebraska Drop Boxes
- Sampson Square, West 36th and Hwy 370 North
- Ham’s Bellevue Bar, 2303 Lincoln Rd
- Old Town Car Wash, 307 West Mission Rd
- No Frills Super Market, 909 Fort Crook Road
- Auto Value, 715 Railroad Ave
- Applebee’s, 10402 S 15th
- Family Video, 709 Galvin Road
- Dollar Plus, 7511 S 36th St
- M&M Childcare, 5117 Harrison St
- Adventure Inn Academy, 1610 Charleston Dr.
- Salvation Army, 1502 Harlan Dr
- Big Brothers Big Sisters Drop Off Boxes
- 1001 Galvin Road South
- Leopard Lanes, 601 Chateau Dr.
important updates
Yard Waste Begins April 1, 2025
During yard waste season, you may only use your brown cart for yard waste. Contents of the brown cart are composted, so we are unable to empty brown carts if they contain landfill trash. Please see the yard waste guide below, or contact us at 402-346-7800 if you have questions.
MARCH 2025 NEWSLETTER
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- Search how to properly dispose of materials
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Recycling Guide
City of Bellevue service includes weekly recycling pick-up.
Downloadable Recycling Guide PDF
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The City of Bellevue is committed to reducing the amount of trash we are sending to the landfill by providing free and easy recycling options for residents. |
Weekly recycling service is free to all residents of the City. By putting more in your green recycling cart and less in your blue landfill trash cart, you can use a smaller blue cart – which means a smaller trash bill! Good for the planet and good for your wallet.
Simple ways to increase recycling and reduce landfill trash:
- Be Smart with your Cart – not just your recycling cart but also your shopping cart. Your purchasing choices matter: Consider packaging (cardboard or paper or recyclable plastics vs. foam or plastic bags) and look for minimal packaging. Take reusable totes to the grocery store. Group your online purchases to reduce the number of boxes.
- Avoid hard-to-recycle plastics. To dispose of these items, place them in a clear or orange bags in your green cart (see hard to recycle plastics section).
What can go in my green recycling cart?
Paper(Please do flatten all cardboard boxes. No need to remove paper clips, stamps, address labels, staples, tape, wire, metal fasteners, rubber bands, spiral bindings or plastic tabs.)
Do NOT include: food contaminated paper, photos, paper towels, hand towels or toilet paper, clothing, fireworks, food, diapers, car seats, wires, light strings or other “tanglers” |
Plastics(Please do not flatten plastic containers. Empty and rinse all plastic materials.) All CLEAN plastic food and beverage containers
Do NOT include: juice pouches, plastic bags, plastic tableware, Styrofoam, diapers, bubble wrap, or medical supplies. See below for disposal options. Metals(Please do not flatten metal containers. Empty and rinse all metal materials.)
Do NOT include: Aluminum Foil or Appliances. |
What Are Hard-to-Recycle Plastics and How Do I Dispose of Them?
Hard-to-recycle plastics—also referred to as single-use plastics—are items that require special treatment to recycle. These items include:
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The best thing to do is try to avoid these plastics, such as choosing cardboard rather than Styrofoam egg cartons. However, they may be recycled by placing them in a transparent Hefty® ReNew™ Orange Bag or clear bag and placed in your green recycling cart. They are not compatible with the standard plastic recycling stream, but workers at the recycling processing plant will manually remove these bags and place them in an alternate stream.
Please make sure that the bag is orange or clear so that workers can see the contents. This small step can keep these items out of the landfill.
Should I Bag my Recycling?
No. Plastic bags cannot be recycled. Recyclables should be rinsed and placed directly in your recycling cart.
Still Not Sure If It is Recyclable?
Try the Waste Wizard option of the search box on this sit or in the Waste Connect app. Simply type in the item to get instructions on proper disposal.
What CAN’T be recycled?
The following materials should be kept out of your recycling cart to avoid contaminating your recycling:
- Glass bottles and jars
- Drinking glasses
- Hazardous or bio-hazardous waste
- Mirrors, light bulbs, ceramics, and Pyrex®
- Needles and syringes
- Plastic bags and tops, microwave trays, and six-pack holders
- Plastics other than #1–7
- Scrap metal
- Stickers and address label sheets
- Styrofoam® or other takeout paper containers
- Tissues, paper towels, and napkins
- Waxed paper and waxed cardboard
- Window glass
- Fireworks
Where to Take Recyclables That Don’t Go in the Green Cart
GlassDrop glass off at Bellevue Fire Station District 3 (9400 S 36th St). Curbside pickup is available for a fee through Glassman Recycling (402-578-4204) AppliancesMay be taken to Cross Electronics Recycling ElectronicsDrop off at Cross Electronics Recycling |
Household/Garden Chemicals, Paint and Florescent LightsTake to Under the Sink (4001 S 120th St) StyrofoamPlastilite Corporation (4930 Battlefield Dr OR may be placed in orange or clear bags and placed in your green cart. (See Hard to Recycle Plastics for more info) Plastic Grocery BagsMany grocery stores, Walmarts, Targets, etc. have boxes in stores for recycling these bags. |
Yard Waste Guide
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Between April 1 and November 30 only compostable yard waste may be placed in your brown cart. |
Brown Carts Are For Yard Waste And They Are FREE!
Between April 1 and November 30 only compostable yard waste may be placed in your brown cart. During yard waste season, contents of your brown cart are composted so you are helping to reduce the amount of waste sent to the land fill and helping the environment!
- And don’t forget: your trash bill is based solely ON THE SIZE OF YOUR LANDFILL TRASH CART. You are not required to receive a compostable yard waste cart, however, these carts are included with the price of the landfill trash cart
What is considered yard waste?
Yard waste includes leaves, lawn clippings, prunings, weeds, and dead plant material.
What do I do with bundles of branches?
Branches over one inch in diameter cannot be composted. They must be cut to a size that will fit in your blue cart with the lid closed.
BETTER OPTION: take them to the City’s free tree dump located at 8902 Cedar Island Road on the last Saturday of the month from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Is there a limit to how much yard waste will be picked up?
Yard waste should be placed in your brown yard waste cart. Please do not overfill. The lid needs to close to prevent spillage when dumping the cart.
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Yard waste that does not fit in the cart may be placed in brown bio bags and placed alongside the brown cart. If using bio bags, the bags should not weigh more than 40 pounds. Please do NOT put your yard waste in plastic bags.
There is no limit to the number of bio bags that will be picked up. However, the brown yard waste cart must also be placed curbside so that the driver can place the bags in the cart to lift into the truck. |
City of Bellevue Yard Waste Drop Off Option
As of March 3, 2025 City of Bellevue residents may drop off yard waste at the City of Omaha Compost Processing Facility at 6606 South 60th Street. (the former Al Veys ballfields at 60th and Harrison). There is no charge for this disposal option. Here is the process:
1) Stop by the office for permission to unload.
2) Pick up a scale card from the office, weigh the vehicle loaded, unload material, re-weigh empty vehicle, then return card to office.
3) No plastic bags, trash, food waste, stumps, or branches larger than 2 inches in diameter are allowed.
4) Oma-Gro reserves the right to prevent anyone from unloading at the Oma-Gro Production facility
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CompostingHome composting is another excellent way to deal with yard waste, (and food waste) while also helping the environment and your garden |
Compost is a dark, earthy material naturally produced by decaying plants. Composted organic matter improves your soil by keeping it loose, moisture-holding, fertile and well-drained. Supplementing your soil with compost is the best way to save water, recycle yard waste, reduce runoff, and save work in your lawn and garden.
You can compost any organic bio-degradeable material—such as veggie scraps, coffee grounds, eggshells, and plant material. Do not throw animal products or pet waste into your compost. Compost bins can be purchased online or you may have a bin on hand that would work. Whatever type of container you choose, it is critical that you have the ability to add water and turn the contents to provide aeration. Also consider container type and placement as compost can attract foraging animals and can emit unpleasant odors. There are plenty of online resources to get you started, including the Nebraska Extension Service’s Backyard Farmer.
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landfill trashHousehold trash that is not recyclable. |
Blue carts are for general household trash. Please do NOT place the following items in your blue cart:
- Paint
- Solvents
- Motor Oil
- Appliances
- Antifreeze
- Car Batteries
- Tires
The collection trucks are only able to handle items placed in your cart with the lid closed. If you have additional items that do not fit into your cart, contact Papillion Sanitation at
402-346-7800.
Oversized Items
A large item curbside pickup may be scheduled with Papillion Sanitation for a fee. Two FREE bulk curbside pickups (of items not exceeding 60 pounds and 4 x 2 feet) are allowed per year. These can be scheduled with Papillion Sanitation. The City will hold a spring and fall clean up where oversize or bulky items may also be taken for disposal at no additional fee.
Want to haul it yourself? Sarpy County Transfer Station is located at 14414 S 156th St.
Call 402-253-2371 for hours and pricing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What can go in the orange or clear bags?
Snack bags, pudding cups, candy wrappers, pet food bags, Styrofoam®, plastic ware and all other non-recyclable bags.
Simply place these items in a clear or orange bag, tie it shut and put it in your recycling cart. These bags will be manually pulled from the general recycling stream, so contents of the bag must be visible. If not visible, they will end up in the landfill.
Do I need to rinse out my recycling?
Yes. Please rinse bottles, cans, jugs and cartons before recycling.
Do I need to sort my recycling?
No. We use single stream sorting, so no separation of materials is necessary.
What are my options for carts?
The City of Bellevue solid waste program provides residents with three carts. A BLUE one for the disposal of landfill trash, a GREEN one for recycling, and a BROWN one for yard waste. You have the option of three sizes of containers. Pricing is based on the size of landfill trash cart selected.
You have the option of choosing 35 gallon, 65 gallon, or 95 gallon carts, which are provided by Papillion Sanitation as part of the service. You are not required to receive a recycling or compostable yard waste cart, however, these carts are included with the price of the landfill trash cart.
You can select any combination of cart sizes that fit your waste generation needs. The fee that you pay is based only on the size of the landfill trash cart. For pricing and to select carts, please call Papillion Sanitation at 402-346-7800 or email OLP3050@wasteconnections.com.
What if I want more than three carts?
Additional carts may be obtained from Papillion Sanitation for an additional monthly fee.
Can I use my own trash cans?
No. Residents may only use carts provided by Papillion Sanitation due to the use of automated trucks for collection. The mechanism for lifting the carts only works properly with the carts provided.
How do I report service issues?
Papillion Sanitation will continue to be the hauler for the City of Bellevue, and all questions or concerns about service may be emailed to OLPPapillion@WasteConnections.com or be directed to Customer Service at 402-346-7800.
Will I continue to be billed through my MUD bill?
Yes.
How will I know what day my service is?
Residents may use the WasteConnect app on this website or download the app to a mobile device. Simply type in your address to find your collection schedule.
Where should I put my cart for collection?
Carts should be placed at the curb the night before or by 7:00 a.m. on your service day. Carts should be kept four feet away from any poles and/or mailboxes and spaced two feet from your other carts. Lids on all carts must be completely closed in order to prevent any items from falling out or blowing out of the cart(s).
Disabled customers may request walk-up service. A request form is available from Papillion Sanitation.
What if my cart is lost, stolen or damaged?
If your landfilled trash cart is lost, stolen or damaged, please contact Papillion Sanitation at 402-346-7800 to arrange replacement or fill out this form: https://papillion-sanitation.com/my-cart-is-missing-or-damaged/
What happens to the cart if I move?
Prior to your move, contact Papillion Sanitation to stop your service. Your carts should be left at the residence upon your departure for pick up by Papillion Sanitation.
I just moved to Bellevue. How do I get started?
If you are a new resident to Bellevue, call Papillion Sanitation at 402-346-7800 to request your carts.
What do I put in each color of cart?
The BLUE cart is labeled “Landfilled Trash” and is for all household trash that will fit in the cart with the lid closed. We do NOT pick up paint, solvents, motor oil, appliances, antifreeze, car batteries, or tires.
The GREEN cart is for recyclables. View the recycling section of this site to understand what is recyclable.
The BROWN cart is for yard waste. Yard waste season runs April 1 through November 30. The brown compostable yard waste cart can be used for landfilled trash from December 1 through March 31.