Show All Answers

1. Do I have to visit one of the five cart sites to make my selection?

No, the carts are on location at the Government Center, Richard A. Carlucci Recreation & Aquatic Center, Plainfield Guilford Township Public Library, DPW Garage and Grace Point Church for those who are not comfortable selecting a size without seeing it in person.

By default, a 96-gallon cart for waste collection and a 96-gallon cart for recycling will be provided.

2. How do I make my cart-size selection?

Residents may use this link to fill out their preferred cart size, or call WM Customer Service at (866) 797-9018.

If you wish to have a 96-gallon cart for both waste collection and recycling, no action is required. 

3. Do residents have to pay for the carts?

One waste collection cart and one recycling cart will be provided at no-additional charge.  

4. How frequently will my recyclables be picked up?

Recyclables will be picked up in the Town of Plainfield every other week when automated pick-up begins in May of 2023.

Trash will continue to be picked up weekly.

5. How will I differentiate my waste collection cart from my recycling cart?

WM's waste collection carts have a green lid and the recycling carts have a yellow lid.

6. What should I do with my old Ray’s Trash bin and tote?

WM will pick up and recycle the old Ray’s Trash bins and totes when they deliver the new carts the week of May 1^st and May 7^th.  

7. What should I do with my privately-owned trash bins?

WM requires residents to use the WM-provided carts, due to liability issues. Your old trash container can be picked up when WM distributes the new carts in the beginning of May.

8. What if I do not want to participate in the recycling program?

Residents are not required to participate in the recycling program; however, the recycling program is built into the overall cost and the Town’s per household fee will remain the same. Residents are strongly encouraged to participate in recycling to reduce the amount of waste going into landfills and to help keep costs low. 

9. Who do I contact if I have questions regarding my collection service?

For questions regarding your trash service, please contact Waste Management directly at 866-797-9018 or email customerservicers_gla@wm.com. Additional information can be found on their website at http://home.wm.com/Plainfield-in.

10. If residents would like additional carts, because they have more waste than 1-cart, what is the process of getting additional carts?

Plainfield residents will have the option to order additional carts on the cart selection website or they may call into WM customer service at 866-797-9018 and order an additional cart. 

11. I live outside of Town limits, what does this program mean for me?

WM does not currently have residents outside of the town set up on the same program. Those residents can call into customer service and set up service. 

12. I do not have room in my garage for these carts, and my HOA does not allow carts to be stored outdoors. What should I do?

WM says these are common concerns when rolling out carts and often these carts do not take any more room than a traditional container for trash.  

13. Is my trash fee increasing?

Service fees, as with everything, have increased. Therefore, the Town is reviewing fees and exploring new ways to manage the overall cost increases, and these automated systems will mean reduced overall costs for the Town and residents relative to the existing system.  

The new contract entered into with Ray’s Trash in 2022 increased the per household per month cost from approximately $8.95 to $15.87.  This was a significant increase for Plainfield, but still less than what many neighboring communities pay for trash and recycling services.  WM assumed the contract from Ray’s and is now working with the Town to reduce that overall cost.  The move to automated service will reduce the Town’s cost to approximately $14 per household per month.    

Please keep in mind that residents contribute $1 per household toward recycling through utility bills. The remaining amount is covered using general tax revenues. 

While ongoing cost review will continue with more information in the coming months, this automated system has become the standard for waste disposal. 

14. What if I do not see my question on this list?

Please contact WM with more specific questions on trash service and service issues at customerserviceRS_GLA@wm.com.

For other, Town-specific questions, you may contact the Town's Communications Department at communications@townofplainfield.com.

15. How will residents dispose of their yard trimmings?

The Hendricks County Solid Waste District operates a Yard Waste Site currently South of I-70. Visit their website here for more information.