There will be no waste collection on Monday, January 15 within the Urban Services District in observance of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day holiday. Collection will resume Tuesday, January 16 and will be delayed by one day for the rest of the week. Residents serviced by private companies should check with those companies for the holiday schedule.

The staffed recycling drop-off locations, HazBin, and Waste Reduction Center will be closed on Saturday, January 13 in observance of the holiday. 

Download our free Recycle Coach app to sign up for holiday reminders and more.

January 15th, 8 to 11 a.m.

The Alpha Lambda Education Foundation (ALEF) is proudly hosting the Hope Breakfast in honor of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The event aims to raise funds for scholarships, community outreach, and mentorship programs that benefit the entire community.

This year’s event will return to the Louisville Omni with the doors opening at 8 a.m. The program will commence promptly at 9 a.m. WLKY's Caray Grace will serve as the Mistress of Ceremonies, ensuring a memorable experience. An exciting lineup of speakers has been planned, including Edler Jonhatan Jr., Justice Angela McCormick Bisig, Lonita Baker, Esq., and Senator Gerald Neal.

Reserve your seat and get tickets here.

400 S. 2nd St., Louisville, KY 40202

January 15th, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

In celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the Muhammad Ali Center will be open free to the public on Monday. The Center will be showing Dr. King’s “I Have a Dream” speech at the top of each hour.

In addition, the Muhammad Ali Center Council of Students (MACCS) will host their annual, “Continuing the Dream, Continuing the Legacy” youth leadership panel discussion at noon.

Visitors can shop at the Muhammad Ali Center Museum Store during this time, which will be offering a special promotion all day.

144 N. 6th St., Louisville, KY 40202

Christmas tree drop-off will be available for all Louisville/Jefferson County residents at three locations. The Hubbards Lane site will also instantly recycle Christmas trees into mulch that will be offered back to citizens for home use. Those wishing to receive mulch must bring an appropriate container in which to carry it. All lights and ornaments should be removed from trees before they are dropped off. 

HOURS & LOCATIONS Tuesday-Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Waste Reduction Center closes at 3 p.m. on Saturdays) December 28 - January 27

All locations will be closed on Saturday, January 13 in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.  •    East District Recycling Center, 595 N. Hubbards Lane •    Public Works Yard, 10500 Lower River Road (enter from Bethany Lane) •    Waste Reduction Center, 636 Meriwether Avenue 

Metro Public Works will also provide curbside pickup of Christmas trees within the Urban Services District. Residents with city yard waste collection may set their Christmas trees and greenery out on their regular collection day. Trees may not be in plastic bags and all decorations must be removed. Residents normally serviced by private waste haulers should check with those companies to see if and when tree pickup is available.

Did you know...? The kNOw Waste Louisville Education team offers FREE programs for all ages! The presentations and activities can be adapted to fit various ages, classroom topics, and interests.

We offer presentations about recycling and waste reduction, recycling truck demonstrations, story times, classroom waste audits, and more!

To request an outreach or contact us for more details, please submit an Outreach Request Form.

TreesLouisville will be coordinating the Urban Forestry Master Plan Project for Louisville Metro that will inform the processes for creating a robust and sustainable urban forest.

We are seeking enthusiastic volunteers to join our efforts in developing an Urban Forestry Master Plan (UFMP). The UFMP is a community-driven strategic initiative aimed at investing in the long-term well-being of Louisville’s trees and its people.

Over the coming decades, this plan will serve as a roadmap for prioritizing, preserving, and expanding our city's tree canopy. The plan will ensure that we are using the best management practices for air and water quality improvement, stormwater management, urban heat island effects, and social cohesion.

Why Urban Forestry Matters:

• Urban Forest Definition: Refers to all trees within a city, spanning both public and privately-owned lands.
• Tree Canopy: The shaded area of a city covered by trees. In Louisville, 39% of the city is graced by trees, providing numerous health benefits to the community.

We are looking for 100 (or more!) individuals to participate in the Urban Forestry Advisory Group that will hold three workshops in late spring/early summer 2024. These sessions will delve into current conditions, challenges, and future goals for Louisville's urban forest. The "Discovery Through Self-Assessment" workshops will involve data analysis, discussions on challenges and priorities, and collaborative brainstorming, all facilitated by experts.

Equity Council Positions:

For those in historically excluded areas or neighborhoods redlined in the 1930s, we have reserved 10-15 positions on the Advisory Group for an Equity Council. Members will contribute their unique perspectives and ideas, guiding the development of strategies and policies. We understand the importance of this participation and offer stipends to cover transportation, childcare, and other costs to facilitate your involvement. Please reach out to www.TreesLouisville.org for more information.

Assistance available for eligible households facing heating crisis

Louisville, KY. – The Louisville Metro Office of Resilience and Community Services is now accepting appointments for the annual Crisis Component of the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). The program assists income-eligible households in Jefferson County with home heating costs on a first-come, first-served basis, now through March 29, 2024, or until funds are depleted.

This program assists eligible households facing a home heating emergency, such as imminent loss of heat, low fuel supply, or eviction due to unpaid utility bills. Households must meet eligibility requirements, including income eligibility of up to and including 150% of the federal poverty guidelines. Prior LIHEAP assistance does not impact a household’s eligibility.

Crisis benefits will cover the minimum needed to alleviate the crisis, not to exceed the local cost for a deliverable supply of the household’s primary heating fuel or $400 for gas or electric. Households can reapply each time they experience a crisis until they reach their maximum benefit. Benefits are paid directly to the fuel vendor.

MSD’s Emergency Wastewater Rate Assistance Program (EWRAP)

Through our partnership with Louisville MSD, eligible residents still have the opportunity to apply for MSD’s Emergency Wastewater Rate Assistance Program (EWRAP).

EWRAP can provide eligible residents in Jefferson County a 30% discount on wastewater charges and the consent decree surcharge. Eligibility includes households at or below 150% of the federal poverty guidelines, with proof of an active utility account with the Louisville Water Company and MSD. This enrollment period is for new and renewing MSD discount program clients.

MSD clients who are 65 years of age or older with a gross household income of $35,000 or less per year may be eligible for MSD’s Senior Citizen Discount Program. It is recommended you submit your MSD bill with your LIHEAP documentation to see if you qualify for a MSD discount program. For more details about the MSD Discount Programs, visit https://louisvillemsd.org/paymybill.

How to Apply

To apply for the LIHEAP and/or EWRAP programs, Jefferson County residents meeting eligibility can call the automated scheduler at 502-991-8391 or visit online at louisvilleky.cascheduler.com.

For the Crisis component, applicants requiring assistance for natural gas or electric must bring a disconnect/past due notice. If your rent includes heat, bring a copy of your lease and eviction notice. Pre-Pay Electric Program participants must show they have 10 days or less of pre-paid electric service.

All applicants will be required to supply the following documentation at the time of application:

• Proof of Social Security Number or Permanent Residence card (Green Card) for each member of the household.
• Proof of all household’s (all members) income from the preceding month.
• Most current heating bill, statement from your landlord if heating expenses are included in your rent, statement from utility company if you participate in a Pre-Pay Electric Program.
• The account number and name on the account for main heating fuel sources and electric bill.
• For MSD’s EWRAP program, you will need proof of an active utility account with Louisville Water Company and MSD. (i.e. named customers with MSD, receiving metered water service for a property used solely for residential purposes, and owned or leased by the customer as principal residence).

For more information about this process on how to apply for LIHEAP or the MSD discount programs, please contact Metro311 by simply dialing 311 or 574-5000, email metro.call@louisvilleky.gov, visit the website’s Online Customer Service or Live Chat at www.louisvilleky.gov/metrocall, or download the free Mobile 311 app from the website.

Community Action Kentucky administers LIHEAP in partnership with the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services who receive the funding as a pass-through block grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. For more information about LIHEAP, including contact information for all local Community Action agencies, please visit the Community Action Kentucky website at www.CAPKY.org.

January 13th, 12 to 5 p.m.

Warm up this weekend with Atrium Brewing as they call on all Chili Concocting Compadres around the city!

Both taprooms will be hosting a City-Wide Chili Cookoff offering ten entries per taproom. Each chili will be voted and scored by the public. One shall emerge victorious with prizes and honor galore.

Each entry is required to bring at least one gallon of chili and a ladle for serving. They will supply tasters and spoons for all of your judging needs. To sign up, reach out in person at either taproom or via Instagram or Facebook.

1154 Logan St., Louisville, KY 40204

Louisville, KY. – Whitehall is pleased to announce that it will be offering micro weddings on Wednesday, February 14. Couples who want to avoid the stress and expense of a large wedding may choose one of several time slots to get married in the historic mansion. The cost is $1,000 and will include an officiant to perform the ceremony; cake and sparkling cider; and a complimentary wedding portrait with the option to purchase additional photos. Up to 20 guests may attend. Couples may also choose to renew their vows. For more information, visit Whitehall’s website at https://www.historicwhitehall.org/valentines-wedding or call (502) 897-2944.

Proceeds from the Valentine’s Micro Weddings benefit Whitehall House & Gardens, a historic house owned and operated by the not-for-profit Historic Homes Foundation, Inc. Built in the mid-1850s and extensively renovated in 1909, Whitehall has been home to at least six different families, including the Chief Justice of the Kentucky Court of Appeals, Henry J. Stites (1816-91). At just under ten acres, Whitehall’s grounds and gardens represent a growing horticulture resource. A small arboretum features over 200 trees, including a rare specimen collection that has become an important source of propagation of interesting species. Whitehall’s Woodland Garden, a Victorian stumpery nestled in a wooded corner of the grounds, presents a regionally unprecedented collection of ferns and other woodland plants and is an official Display Garden of the Hardy Fern Foundation.