Owensboro Spring Cleanup Guide 2026 — Where to Take What in Daviess County
Every spring in Owensboro the same thing happens. The weather breaks, people walk their yards for the first time after a long winter, and realize how much has accumulated — storm branches, old furniture, and junk building up since last fall.
This post is a practical guide to spring cleanup in Owensboro and Daviess County — what goes where, what the city picks up for free, what needs a dumpster, and what requires a separate disposal route entirely. If you’re looking at a pile of stuff and trying to figure out the fastest and cheapest way to deal with all of it, this is the guide. Call (270) 466-1191 when you’re ready to book a container.
What the City of Owensboro picks up for free — and when
Before you book a dumpster, know what the City of Owensboro will take at no cost. The Owensboro Neighborhood Alliance runs annual cleanup events where sanitation crews provide free curbside pickup for junk furniture, appliances, and large items to Alliance residential customers. You place approved items at the curb on your scheduled cleanup day and the city hauls them away.
What they do take at Neighborhood Alliance cleanups: junk furniture, most appliances, tires, and similar large items. What they cannot take: construction debris or materials, yard waste, dirt, paint, or any liquid. For large items, call CityAction at (270) 687-4444 or email cityaction@owensboro.org by the Wednesday before your cleanup to schedule the pickup.
Check the Owensboro Neighborhood Alliance schedule at owensboro.org for your neighbourhood’s specific cleanup date. If you’re in a Neighbourhood Alliance area and you time your project right, you can save a significant amount by putting furniture and appliances out for the free city pickup while using a dumpster only for the material the city won’t take.
The spring cleanup disposal guide — where everything goes in Daviess County
| Material | Where it goes | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Household junk and furniture | Dumpster → Grimes Avenue Transfer Station | Included in rental |
| Renovation debris (drywall, lumber, tile) | Dumpster → West Daviess County Landfill, KY-815 | Included in rental |
| Yard waste (branches, leaves, grass) | Dumpster → or city curbside pickup if bundled | Included in rental |
| Large appliances (washer, dryer, stove) | Dumpster → Grimes Avenue Transfer Station | Included in rental |
| Refrigerators and freezers | Refrigerant must be removed first — then dumpster | Licensed appliance service required |
| Motor oil and automotive fluids | AutoZone, O’Reilly Auto, Advance Auto — free drop-off | Free |
| Paint (latex, dry) | Dry latex paint can go in dumpster — dry it first | Free once dry |
| Paint (oil-based, wet latex) | Daviess County HHW collection events | Free at HHW events |
| Pesticides and herbicides | Daviess County HHW collection events | Free at HHW events |
| Tires | Owensboro tire shops or city Neighborhood Alliance pickup | Small fee at most shops |
| Batteries (car) | AutoZone, Advance Auto — free | Free |
| Electronics | Daviess County HHW events or certified e-waste recyclers | Free at events |
| Concrete and brick (small amounts) | Dumpster with weight noted — heavy material | Included in rental |
| Asbestos-containing materials | Licensed abatement contractor only — never dumpster | Licensed contractor required |
Daviess County Household Hazardous Waste events
Daviess County holds Household Hazardous Waste collection events where residents can drop off paint, motor oil, pesticides, batteries, and electronics at no charge. These events are typically held in spring and fall and are open to Daviess County residents only — you’ll need proof of residency. Check daviessky.org for current event dates and accepted materials. If you have a garage full of old paint cans, chemicals, and car fluids from winter, an HHW event is the right place for those — not the dumpster.
Yard waste and storm debris — special considerations
Owensboro sits in western Kentucky’s severe weather corridor. Spring storms routinely bring downed branches, damaged fencing, and scattered roofing material. After a significant storm event, the volume of debris across Daviess County can be substantial.
Yard waste — grass clippings, leaves, branches — can go in the dumpster, but branches need to be in manageable pieces. Very large tree trunks or root balls are better handled by a tree service. If you’ve had storm damage and you’re dealing with a mix of yard debris and structural damage (fence panels, damaged siding, broken decking), a dumpster is the most efficient solution — you can load everything in one container rather than separating materials for different disposal routes.
After serious storm events in Owensboro, we prioritize same-day delivery for storm cleanup calls. If severe weather has affected your neighbourhood, call us first at (270) 466-1191 and we’ll get a container to you as fast as possible.
What size dumpster for an Owensboro spring cleanup?
Light yard cleanup — branches, lawn debris, a few bags of junk: 10-yard at $275. Handles about 3 pickup truck loads of light material.
Full garage cleanout plus yard debris: 15-yard at $310. Gives you room for the garage contents plus the yard waste without cramming.
Spring cleanout involving interior and exterior of the house: 20-yard at $350. The right size when you’re doing a full spring purge — attic, garage, and yard all at once.
Storm cleanup with structural damage (fencing, decking, siding): 20-yard at $350. More volume than you’d expect once you get the fence panels and decking broken down and loaded.
Frequently asked questions — spring cleanup and yard waste in Owensboro KY
What does the City of Owensboro pick up for free during spring cleanup?
The Owensboro Neighborhood Alliance cleanup events provide free curbside pickup for junk furniture, most appliances, tires, and similar large items to residential customers in Alliance areas. Construction debris, yard waste, dirt, paint, and liquids are not accepted. Call CityAction at (270) 687-4444 to schedule pickup of large items.
Can yard waste and tree branches go in a rental dumpster in Owensboro?
Yes. Yard waste, branches, and tree debris can go in the dumpster. Break large branches into manageable pieces for loading. Very large tree trunks may need to be handled by a tree service first. Yard waste is light material, so volume rather than weight is usually the constraint.
Where do I take old paint in Owensboro KY?
Dry latex paint can go in the dumpster — spread it on cardboard and let it dry completely first. Wet latex and oil-based paint cannot go in the dumpster. Take those to Daviess County Household Hazardous Waste collection events. Check daviessky.org for current event dates.
Do you do same-day dumpster delivery after storms in Owensboro?
Yes. Storm cleanup is one of our highest priorities for same-day delivery. If your property has been affected by a storm in the Owensboro area, call (270) 466-1191 as early as possible and we’ll get a container out to you the same day whenever possible.
Ready to tackle your spring cleanup? Call (270) 466-1191 — Mon–Sat 7 AM to 6 PM. Also read: what goes in the dumpster · Daviess County landfill and disposal guide.