Frequently Asked Questions

If you wish to swap out the size of your cart, you can call 1-800-866-4460 and say “SERVICE CHANGE” to the phone prompt.

One 96-gallon wheeled cart will be provided free of charge to each home (unless special arrangements already have been made for another size due to special needs).

• Residents have the option to change to a smaller cart (64-gallon or 32-gallon).
  • 96-gallon tote holds approximately 7-8 tall kitchen bags (44" tall x 27" wide x 35" deep)
  • 64-gallon tote holds approximately 4-5 tall kitchen bags (44" tall x 24" wide x 24" deep)
  • 32-gallon tote holds approximately 2-3 tall kitchen bags (slightly larger than 39" tall x 19" wide x 24" deep)

This WM video discusses how to choose the right size cart for your household.

Residents may purchase a second garbage cart from WM (Waste Management) by contacting WM and paying an annual fee. The charge is for the additional service and disposal, not for the cart itself.

To order an additional cart, please call WM at 1-800-866-4460 and say “SERVICE CHANGE” to the phone system prompt. You will be directed to an agent to place your order and pay for your cart.

To report damage to a garbage cart, visit the WM website.

In the middle of the screen, do the following:

• Type in your address
• Select "For Home"
• Click on "Get Started"
• Choose on "Container Service" to report an issue with the cart.

This will automatically generate a repair or replace ticket on the account.

You may need to create a WM website account to report the cart issue.

Bulk collection refers to pickup of an appliance, piece of furniture or other residential item that is too large to fit into a trash cart. It does not include extra trash bags.

Bulk collection is scheduled once a month on the same day as your regular trash pickup. Bulk collection is the second full week of every month (WM starts each week with Monday). Refer to the WM calendar for you bulk collection days.

• Bulk items are limited to 2 per month, per household.
• Accepted bulk waste
  • Furniture, such as chair, table, armoire, cabinet, chest, headboard, sofa, mattress, dresser, interior door
  • Household appliance, such as washer, dryer, dishwasher, stove, toilet, microwave, hot water tank, refrigerator (Freon must be removed and must be tagged)
  • Carpeting (must be cut into 4-foot bundles)
  • Picnic table or bench (unattached), basketball board or pool (6' or less in height), swing set (unassembled)
• Prohibited items
  • Concrete, brick, asphalt, roofing, electronics
  • Vehicles and parts
  • Construction debris or building material such as plaster, dry wall, wood
  • Hazardous waste
  • Loose / extra / overflow trash bags
  • Yard waste
  • Boxes of spring cleaning items
  • Any other non-bulk item

No, you cannot place trash outside the cart. WM only will take trash that fits inside the carts. WM will not collect anything that is placed outside, next to, or atop the cart.

The only exception is bulk collection. Bulk items (oversize items) are limited to 2 per month, per household. Bulk items include furniture, large appliances, etc.—not extra trash bags. Bulk collection is the second full week of every month (WM starts each week with Monday). Refer to the WM calendar for you bulk collection days.

Store-bought garbage cans cannot be used for automated collection. If you would like to dispose of an unused can, you can mark it “TRASH” or "TAKE AS TRASH" and place it at the curb for WM to collect on your regular garbage collection day.

Place your trash cart at the curb with the cart handle pointing away from the street.

Leave at least 3 feet between the cart and other objects, such as mailboxes, vehicles, trees and other carts.

This WM video shows how to position your cart at the curb.

If you are moving into a newly built home in South Fayette Township, call WM at 1-800-866-4460 and request delivery of a garbage cart and a recycling cart.

Every eligible residence receives one 64-gallon recycling cart and one 96-gallon garbage cart at no charge.

The carts must stay with the home if you move.

• You can bag yard waste, such as grass clippings, and place the bags in your provided garbage cart for disposal. All waste must be inside the cart. Items outside the cart will not be picked up.
• In the spring and fall, WM holds special curbside recycling collections of yard waste. In these cases, yard waste can be placed at the curb (outside the cart) in biodegradable paper bags.
• Wood waste (limbs up to 4 inches in diameter) may be deposited in a special township dumpster with prior approval from Public Works. Call 412-221-8700, ext. 223.

Find details about yard waste disposal on the Yard, Leaf & Wood Waste webpage.

On automatic side-load trucks, a robotic arm grabs, lifts and empties the provided garbage carts without the driver needing to leave the truck cab.

This WM video shows an overview of automated waste collection.

• Empty paint cans and/or dried paint may be placed into garbage bags and disposed of with household trash.
• Paint can be air-dried or soaked up with newspaper or kitty litter. The lids should be left off.

The following items are NOT accepted for curbside trash pickup:

• Appliances containing refrigerant, such as refrigerators, freezers, air conditioners, dehumidifiers and water coolers (Freon must be removed, and the item properly tagged, for these items to be accepted during curbside bulk collection)
• Ashes from furnaces and fireplaces
• Automotive parts, including wheel rims and tires
• Construction or demolition materials (consider purchasing a WM Bagster)
• Electronics, such as televisions, computers, monitors and other computer equipment
• Hazardous household waste, including liquid paint (non-dried), thinners, cleaners, pesticides/herbicides, antifreeze
• Materials from fires or house evictions
• Medical waste
• Stones, concrete, rock, dirt

Please note this list is not exhaustive.

These items generally are accepted for curbside trash disposal and should not be placed in recycling.

• Ceramics or dishware
• Diapers
• Envelopes / Window Envelopes
• Food waste, or any item containing food debris or liquid
• Freezer food packaging
• Meat or dairy
• Mirrors
• Non-recyclables
• Packaging (plastic or paper)
• Paper plates
• Plastics not listed as recyclables
• Plastic bags
• Plastic deli take-out containers
• Plastic utensils
• Plastic wrap or wrapping film
• Shredded paper
• Styrofoam packaging (formed or pellet)
• Wax paper
• Window glass

Please note this list is not exhaustive.