Trash might not be the first line in your home budget, but in Prairie Village it can change what you spend each year. If you are buying here or planning for next year, understanding how city trash, recycling, and yard waste are billed will help you avoid surprise fees. In this guide you will learn what is included in your taxes, when extra charges apply, and simple ways to keep costs down. Let’s dive in.
How Prairie Village service works
Who picks up and what is included
Prairie Village contracts with Republic Services for weekly curbside trash, recycling, and yard waste for most single‑family homes. The city publishes schedules, set‑out rules, and service details on its solid‑waste page. You can review what is included and how pickup works on the city’s solid‑waste service page.
How you pay
Most single‑family households do not get a monthly hauler bill. Instead, the city funds service through a solid‑waste assessment that appears on your annual property tax bill. When you estimate carrying costs, look for a line labeled for solid waste on the tax bill or in county records.
Important exceptions
Some Prairie Village neighborhoods use homeowners association contracts instead of the city program, and many apartments have private service. City programs like large‑item or mattress collection may exclude apartments. You can see program details on the city’s mattress recycling page.
What is covered vs what can cost extra
Standard carts and overflow
You receive one trash cart and one recycling cart. Set carts at the curb by 7 a.m. on collection day. If you have more trash than fits in your cart, you must use city overflow stickers on extra bags. Check the city’s solid‑waste page for current sticker pricing and where to purchase.
Bulky items
Prairie Village allows a small bulky item once per month during the first full week, with strict size and weight limits. Items that are too large or not allowed will require a special pickup that may add cost. Construction debris, tires, hazardous waste, and certain auto parts are not accepted in regular service. See the rules on the solid‑waste page.
Yard waste rules
Curbside yard waste is collected with limits on containers, bundles, and weekly quantities. Extra yard waste may need overflow stickers. If you do your own lawn work, follow the city’s container and bundle standards to avoid fees. The city lists accepted materials and limits on its yard‑waste page.
Recycling and glass
Recycling is picked up weekly. Keep contamination out to avoid rejected loads. Glass is not collected at the curb through the city program. Use the region’s purple drop‑off bins or a private curbside glass service for a fee. Learn what goes in your bin on the recycling page and see options on the glass recycling page.
Hazardous waste disposal
Paint, chemicals, and motor oil are not accepted at the curb. Johnson County operates a Household Hazardous Waste facility in Overland Park that is free for residents by appointment. Book a time through the county’s HHW scheduler.
How the funding model affects your budget
Because trash service is funded by a solid‑waste assessment on your property tax bill, the cost is part of your annual taxes. The assessment can change from year to year based on the city budget and service contracts. For current context, review the city’s Finance and Budget information and confirm the exact amount on the property’s most recent tax bill.
Service reliability can affect real‑world costs. Local reporting has covered periods of missed or delayed pickups in Prairie Village, and the city has fined the hauler in recent years. You can read more about service issues in this local news report. If a pickup is missed, follow city guidance to report it rather than paying a private hauler.
If you are moving into an HOA community or an apartment, your billing may be separate from the city assessment. Ask for the HOA contract or the property manager’s hauler details so you can compare monthly charges and bulky‑item options.
Quick ways to control costs
- Max out recycling to reduce landfill trash and avoid overflow stickers. Follow the city’s accepted items list.
- Time cleanouts and small furniture items for the first full week of the month to use the small bulky allowance.
- Stay within yard‑waste limits. Use approved bags and bundle branches to the city’s size standards.
- Use free glass drop‑off bins. Subscribe to private curbside glass only if the convenience outweighs the fee.
- Book the county HHW facility for paint and chemicals. Avoid any curbside setouts that could lead to rejected carts or fines.
- Planning a remodel or big purge. Budget for a special pickup or private hauling since construction debris and many large items are excluded from regular service.
For buyers: what to review before you write your offer
- Request the seller’s most recent property tax bill and find the solid‑waste assessment line.
- Confirm whether the home is served by the city program or an HOA contract and ask for the HOA’s trash details if applicable.
- Ask the seller if they often buy overflow stickers or schedule special pickups.
- Note the monthly small bulky item timing and any seasonal programs like spring large‑item pickup or mattress recycling.
The bottom line for Prairie Village homeowners
Prairie Village’s city contract makes trash costs predictable because most households pay through a tax assessment, not a monthly bill. Your out‑of‑pocket charges come from overflow, bulky items that exceed limits, yard‑waste overages, and project debris. With a little planning, you can use the included services, stay within the rules, and keep your trash spending steady from year to year.
Have questions about trash costs as you plan your move or sale in Prairie Village. Connect with Paul Michael Galbrecht for local guidance on budgeting utilities, taxes, and neighborhood nuances that matter at closing.
FAQs
What is the Prairie Village solid‑waste assessment and where do I find it
- It is the annual charge that funds city trash, recycling, and yard‑waste service for most single‑family homes, and it appears as a line on your property tax bill. You can learn about the program on the city’s trash and recycling pages.
Do Prairie Village apartments receive city trash service
- Most apartments have private service and some city programs exclude apartments, such as mattress recycling. Check with your property manager and see city guidance on the mattress recycling page.
How do overflow trash stickers work in Prairie Village
- If your trash exceeds your cart, place a city overflow sticker on each extra bag. Find current pricing and purchase locations on the solid‑waste page.
What are my options for glass recycling in Prairie Village
- Glass is not collected curbside through the city. Use purple drop‑off bins or choose a private curbside glass service for a fee. See details on the glass recycling page.
Where can I take paint, oil, or chemicals near Prairie Village
- Johnson County’s Household Hazardous Waste facility in Overland Park is free by appointment for residents. Book through the county’s HHW scheduler.
How often can I set out bulky items in Prairie Village
- You may set out one small bulky item once per month during the first full week, subject to size and weight limits. Larger or excluded items need a special pickup that may add cost, as outlined on the solid‑waste page.
