Worried about trash day in your new Kuna home? You are not alone. Between setting up service, learning pickup days, and knowing what actually belongs in the recycle cart, it can feel like a lot. This guide gives you the who, what, and when so your bins get emptied on time and you avoid common mistakes. Let’s dive in.
Start or transfer service in Kuna
Getting set up is simple. The City of Kuna handles billing for water, sewer, and trash. To start, stop, or transfer service, contact Kuna Utility Billing at (208) 922-5546 or visit the city’s Utility Billing page. You can confirm whether trash is already on the property account and request a transfer if needed. Visit Kuna Utility Billing.
J&M Sanitation is the local hauler for curbside pickup. For operational needs like missed pickups, damaged carts, extra pickups, or route questions, call J&M at (208) 922-3313. The City’s Sanitation page also outlines program details and rules. See Kuna Sanitation details.
Closing and move-in notes
In Ada County, title companies commonly prorate trash service during closing. Still, you should confirm billing during your transaction and call Kuna Utility Billing to start or transfer service once you have your new address. For county guidance on starting or suspending service, review Ada County’s start or suspend service page.
Weekly pickup schedule and holidays
- Garbage is collected weekly, Monday through Friday, on your assigned day. Recycling is collected every other week. You can confirm your address details on the City’s page. Check Kuna Sanitation.
- Recycling follows a two-week cycle marked by a color decal under your cart lid: RED weeks and YELLOW weeks. Use the current calendar to match your week. Open the J&M 2025 Recycling Calendar.
- Holidays observed: New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, July 4, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. If your normal day falls on or after one of these holidays, pickup is pushed one day later that week. If the holiday is on a weekend, there is usually no delay. Review city guidance.
Set-out rules that prevent missed pickups
- Put carts out the night before or no later than 7:00 am on pickup day. See J&M set-out guidance.
- Place carts at the curb with back wheels against the curb and handles facing your house.
- Leave 2 to 3 feet between carts and keep clear space from cars, mailboxes, and hoops. Aim for up to 10 feet of side clearance and about 18 feet of vertical clearance.
- Keep lids fully closed. Do not exceed cart weight limits and avoid overfilling. Loose or bagged trash outside carts is not collected unless you schedule an extra pickup. Review Kuna rules.
What goes in your recycle cart
Kuna uses single-stream recycling. You place acceptable paper, cardboard, certain plastics, metals, and glass in the same cart and it is sorted later. Learn about co-mingled recycling.
- Plastics: Only plastic containers labeled #1 or #2 with threaded necks and an opening smaller than the base are accepted. Plastics #3 through #9 are not accepted in the curbside cart. When in doubt, throw it out.
- Preparation: Items should be clean, dry, and empty. Do not bag recyclables. Remove non-recyclable parts like plastic liners. Caps can usually stay on. Check city tips.
Find your recycle week
Look for the color decal under your cart lid to know if you are on RED or YELLOW weeks. Then match your color to the current calendar. Download the J&M Recycling Calendar.
Bulky items, extra carts, and roll-offs
If you have more trash than your cart can hold, you have options.
- Extra pickup or bulky item pickup is available through J&M. Example rates published for Kuna include about $14.14 per item, but pricing can change, so call to confirm current fees and scheduling. View J&M residential services.
- Need more capacity? You can request an extra trash cart for a small monthly fee or rent a temporary roll-off dumpster. Contact J&M or the City for current pricing. See service options.
Important appliance note: Refrigerators, freezers, air conditioners, dehumidifiers, and water coolers that contain refrigerant are not accepted unless a certified professional removes the refrigerant first. Review Kuna’s guidance.
Hazardous waste, electronics, and special items
Household hazardous waste does not belong in your carts. Ada County operates a permanent HHW Facility at the Ada County Landfill, open Fridays and Saturdays from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm, with mobile collection sites on select dates, sometimes including Kuna. Service is free for residents under program rules. Always check current hours and accepted items before you go. See Ada County HHW details.
J&M also announces hazardous materials collection events from time to time. Review accepted items and any size limits before loading up. Check J&M’s hazardous materials page.
For electronics, tires, batteries, sharps, and medications, Ada County provides specific drop-off guidance and locations. Use the Landfill FAQ for current instructions.
Missed pickup or damaged cart
If your cart was out by 7:00 am and placed correctly but still missed, call J&M at (208) 922-3313. They can advise on next steps and replace damaged carts. If you often overflow, schedule an extra pickup or request an additional cart. Explore J&M residential services.
Quick move-in checklist
- Call Kuna Utility Billing at (208) 922-5546 to start or transfer trash service. Start here.
- Confirm with your title company that trash service was prorated at closing. Review county guidance.
- Mark your pickup day and recycle color week. Grab the calendar.
- Review set-out rules to avoid misses and schedule extras if needed. Kuna Sanitation rules.
Keep it code compliant
Kuna’s Code Enforcement handles nuisance issues like trash accumulation on a complaint-driven basis. HOA rules are separate and enforced by the association. If you need to submit a city complaint, use the Code Enforcement page. Visit Kuna Code Enforcement.
Getting trash and recycling right makes your move smoother and keeps your street tidy. If you are planning a move in Kuna or anywhere in the Treasure Valley, connect with a local guide who can help you handle the details. Reach out to Katie Shevlin Real Estate for friendly, local support.
FAQs
How do I start or transfer trash service in Kuna?
- Contact Kuna Utility Billing at (208) 922-5546 to start, stop, or transfer service, and confirm billing during closing. Kuna Utility Billing.
When is recycling picked up in Kuna?
- Recycling is every other week on a RED or YELLOW schedule; check the color decal under your cart lid and match it to the current calendar. J&M Recycling Calendar.
What plastics are accepted in Kuna’s curbside recycling?
- Only #1 and #2 plastic containers with threaded necks and an opening smaller than the base are accepted; plastics #3–#9 are not. Co-mingled recycling rules.
What should I do after a missed pickup?
- If your cart was set out by 7:00 am and placed correctly, call J&M at (208) 922-3313 for guidance and next steps. J&M services.
Where do I take paint, chemicals, or batteries?
- Take household hazardous waste to the Ada County HHW Facility or a mobile collection site; check hours, dates, and accepted items. Ada County HHW.
How do I dispose of a refrigerator or AC unit in Kuna?
- Appliances with refrigerant are not accepted unless a certified professional removes the refrigerant first; contact J&M for options. Kuna Sanitation guidance.
