Trash and Recycling Program

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New Trash & Recycling Program Updates

The Nappanee City Council has adopted Ordinance 1649, establishing a new fee structure for residential trash and recycling services.

Quick Facts for Residents

Monthly Fee: Beginning January 1, 2026, a flat rate of $5.00 per month will be added to your combined municipal utility bill (water/sewer).
Low-Income Assistance: Residents who meet specific income guidelines (150% of the federal poverty level) may qualify for a 50% reduction ($2.50/month). Applications are available at the Clerk-Treasurer’s office.
What's Included: The fee covers weekly curbside trash/yard waste collection and bi-weekly curbside recycling.
Bulk Items: Residents are still allowed two large bulk items per month at no extra charge, but you must call the Borden Waste-Away directly to schedule the pickup.
- These items need to be pre-scheduled between Monday and Thursday and will only be picked up on Friday.
Containers: You will be provided one trash unit and one recycling unit. These remain the property of the service provider and must stay with the property if you move.
- Second Trash Cart: A second 96-gallon trash cart will be available for an extra $10.00 a month.
- Second Recycling Bin: If you would like a second recycling bin, there is an additional charge of $4.50 a month.
- Small Cart Option: If you would prefer a smaller 65-gallon cart instead of a 96-gallon cart, that will be available free of charge upon request
- Bag Tags: Any bag outside the cart must-have an authorized “bag tag” on the neck of the bag for the driver to pick them up. These tags are available at Martin’s Supermarket.

Important Reminders

Placement: Disposal units must be within 5 feet of the curb by 6:00 a.m. on your scheduled day.
Timing: Units should not be left at the curb for more than 24 hours.
Late Fees: Payments not received within 30 days are subject to a 10% penalty.

Official Documents

For full legal language and specific regulations, please view the official documents below:

Questions? Please contact City Hall at 574-773-2112 or visit us at 300 West Lincoln Street.

FAQs

Can I opt out of recycling to lower my bill?

No.
Choosing not to recycle does not reduce your monthly fee.
Can I return my recycling cart if I don’t want to use it?

Yes, you may return your recycling cart to Borden. However, returning the cart does NOT remove or reduce the monthly fee.
All households will still be billed the same amount regardless of whether a recycling cart is kept or used.
Do I still have to pay the trash and recycling fee if I don’t want recycling?

Yes.
All single-family households within the City of Nappanee are required to pay the trash and recycling fee whether or not they choose to participate in recycling.

There is no opt-out and no discounted rate for non-participation.
How much will I pay?

At this time we are only asking households to pay $5 per month.
What is the current full cost of refuse and recycling?

Total cost for 2026 is $18.66 per month
When will the fee appear on my bill?

The refuse and recycling fee will be listed as a separate line item on your monthly water and wastewater bill starting February 2026.
Who do I contact to return my recycling cart?

If you do not plan or want to recycle, residents should contact Borden directly to schedule to have their recycling cart picked up.
Who do I contact to return my recycling cart?

If you do not plan or want to recycle, residents should contact Borden directly to schedule to have their recycling cart picked up.
Why do I still have to pay if I return the cart?

The City pays for refuse and recycling as a combined, contracted service, not based on individual household usage.
Why is the City making this change?

The City of Nappanee has covered the cost of trash and recycling for all of our single family households within the city’s corporate boundary. The current fee for 2025 is approximately $610,000. Since 2008, this fee has been paid using funds from our Economic Development Income Tax (EDIT). Prior to 2008, the cost was covered through the General Fund (property taxes). The reason for the shift from General Fund to EDIT was due to state legislation capping property taxes. Recent state legislation (Indiana Senate Enrolled Act 1 (SEA-1)), proposes further cuts to our property tax revenue. We project a $200,000 loss in revenue per year, over the next three years. For this reason, we are asking households to pay a portion of the refuse and recycling fees.
Will there be reduced fees for seniors or low-income households?

The new ordinance has a provision to reduce the fee to $2.50 per month if the household income level is below 150% of poverty level. In 2026, the Federal Poverty Guidelines for 150% of poverty is $23,475 for a household size of 1 and $48,225 for a household size of 4. Households that meet the criteria for the reduced fee can submit the information (IRS tax return) to the Clerk-Treasurer’s office for review.

More FAQs

Contact

Residents with questions regarding service, cart repairs, scheduling for large items, and requests for different sized or additional carts should call Borden Waste-Away Customer Support at 1-574-293-5001

Weather Delays

In the event of inclement weather, trash and recycling services will run a day behind (i.e. if Monday service is canceled, Monday customers are serviced Tuesday).

Follow Borden Waste-Away Facebook page for updates and alerts.

Snow Plowing Reminder:

Nappanee, IN