Renting a dumpster in Elkhart

Two large items a week may be enough

The City of Elkhart's trash contractor, Borden Waste-Away, collects two large items a week as part of regular curbside service for homes and buildings with up to four units, according to the city's trash page. Refrigerators and air conditioners that contain Freon need a special pickup booked at 574-293-5001.

When the job is a whole basement, a remodel or a roof, that pace is too slow, and a roll-off is the practical answer.

Before it goes on a city street

Ask the City of Elkhart before a container goes in a city street; the main number is 574-294-5471. On your own driveway, the question doesn't come up.

Chemicals: the first Saturday of the month

Elkhart County's household hazardous waste drop-off is held the first Saturday of every month, 8am to 3pm, at the Elkhart County Correctional Facility on County Road 7, just north of County Road 26. The Elkhart County Landfill answers questions at 574-522-2581.

Those days don't take electronics, latex paint, tires, mattresses, microwaves, refrigerators or freezers. Dried-out latex paint can go in the regular trash once it's solid; kitty litter or sawdust speeds that up.