More KCK households will shift from loose bags to rolling trash and recycling carts.
Phase 2 of the Trash and Recycling Carts Program will begin Monday, March 2, for select neighborhoods in Kansas City, Kansas. The Unified Government of Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas (UG), working with WM, will transition participating households from loose bags and open bins to rolling carts with lids for both trash and recycling.
Cart delivery for Phase 2 started in early February and will wrap up this weekend. Each participating household receives two 96-gallon carts, one for trash and one for recycling. WM is providing the carts at no cost to the UG or to residents. Curbside collection with the new carts starts March 2, and households should begin using them as soon as their regular collection day arrives.
Phase 2 builds on strong support from the first pilot area. In the Phase 1 feedback survey, about 76 percent of respondents said they wanted the carts program to continue in their neighborhood, giving Public Works confidence that expanding cart service reflects what most participating households prefer.
“Phase 1 showed that carts make collection day cleaner and more consistent for our neighborhoods,” said Solid Waste Manager Diana Miles. “Phase 2 lets us extend those benefits to more homes while we keep listening to residents and fine-tuning how the program works.”
In the weeks leading up to Phase 2, Public Works and WM hosted community information sessions to walk residents through the new collection method and answer questions. For those who could not attend, the Carts Program webpage at wycokck.org/carts includes key details, frequently asked questions, a feedback form, and an interactive map residents can use to confirm whether their address is included in Phase 2.
On collection day, residents should place both carts at the curb with the lid opening facing the street, keep the lids closed, and leave enough space between carts for the truck’s mechanical arm to reach them. Carts should be removed from the curb after collection. All trash must be inside the trash cart for pickup. Loose bags and items that are not placed in the carts will not be collected.
Recycling guidelines remain the same: plastic bottles, metal cans, paper, and cardboard belong in the recycling cart. Items such as plastic bags, plastic film, and bulky trash should not go in the recycling cart. The Carts Program webpage provides more detail on what can and cannot be recycled.
Residents may place up to three bulky items at the curb each week, but bulky items must be scheduled with WM at least 48 hours before the regular collection day. Households can also set out up to ten paper bags of yard waste each week.
Residents in the Phase 2 area who have not received their carts by Monday, March 2, should contact 3-1-1 to report the issue or request help. Residents should contact WM for damaged carts, missed collections, or to schedule bulky items.
Residents can contact WM through three convenient options:
- Visit WM.com: Sign up for 24-hour account access.
- Download the My WM Mobile App: Available on Android and iOS for on-the-go account access.
- Call WM: (800) 796-9696.
Your Customer ID is needed to register through the app or WM.com. If you do not have your ID, call 3-1-1 and ask to speak with the Solid Waste team.
