Lexington to begin recycling and yard waste cart audits next week

LEXINGTON, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) – City officials will begin rolling out recycling and yard waste audits in Lexington neighborhoods next week, checking carts for contamination as part of an effort to improve waste collection.

Staff will not dig through carts but will lift the lids at the curb to check contents. Officials are reminding residents that plastic bags do not belong in recycling or yard waste carts and that all materials should be placed unbagged.

Carts may be collected at different times than usual, but all pickups will be finished by 4 p.m. Residents will also receive color-coded door hangers — green for low contamination, yellow for minor issues, and red for high contamination.

Carts with three red tags in a year may be removed from service.

For more information, including city guidelines and tips on proper recycling and yard waste practices, visit Lexington’s official website.