Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Ann Arbor
Trash Day
Trash is collected once per week, Monday through Friday, based on your neighborhood zone.
Recycling
Recycling is collected weekly on your designated collection day.
Yard Waste
Compost and yard waste are collected weekly on your regular service day from April through early December, and monthly (first full week of the month) from January through March.
Set Out Time
By 7:00 AM on collection day
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Standard curbside trash and recycling are funded through city taxes, but fees for upgraded larger carts or additional bins are billed on your quarterly water utility bill.
Billing Cycle
Quarterly
Accepted Methods
Online, Mail, In Person, Phone, Drop Box
Pro Tip / Discount
Utility assistance and payment postponement are available for qualifying low-income residents experiencing hardship through the City and Washtenaw County Barrier Busters.
Dark Grey or Black (City-issued) Bin (Trash)
Trash must fit entirely inside the cart with the lid completely closed. Carts cannot exceed 224 lbs for the 64-gallon size or 336 lbs for the 96-gallon size. Do not place on snow banks or in bike lanes.
Accepted Items
- ✓Household garbage
- ✓Food wrappers
- ✓Styrofoam
- ✓Small broken items (smaller than a fist)
Blue or Green with Recycle Logo Bin (Recycling)
All recyclables must be placed loose in the cart—never bagged. Items must be clean and dry. Carts are mandatory for all curbside recycling.
Accepted Items
- ✓Paper and cardboard
- ✓Metal cans
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Plastic bottles, tubs, and jugs
Do NOT Include
- ✕Items smaller than a fist or index card
- ✕Plastic bags
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Tanglers (cords, hoses)
- ✕Scrap metal
Yard Waste Bin
Must be placed in a city-approved compost cart or paper yard waste bags. Brush must be properly bundled. Weekly service runs April to December.
Accepted Items
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Small twigs and branches
- ✓Garden debris
- ✓Food scraps (organic waste)
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
No curbside bulk pickup
Placement
Do not place on the curb under any circumstances. Residents must haul large items to the Recycle Ann Arbor Drop-Off Station or attend a Washtenaw County Clean-Up Day.
Accepted
Not Accepted
- ✕ Furniture
- ✕ Mattresses
- ✕ Appliances
- ✕ Large electronics
- ✕ Tires
Fees are based on volume (cubic yards) or per-item charges at the Drop-Off Station. Ann Arbor residents can apply for a digital pass to waive the $3 gate entry fee.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
When an observed holiday falls on a weekday, curbside collections for that day and the remainder of the week are delayed by one day, culminating in a Saturday pickup for Friday routes.
Yard Waste Exception
Compost collection is subject to the exact same one-day holiday delay as trash and recycling during the active season.
City offices may close for additional holidays (like Christmas Eve), but curbside collection is only delayed if the specific pickup day lands on the observed major holiday itself.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Winter
January - MarchCompost collection shifts from weekly to a monthly winter schedule. During snowstorms, clear a flat spot on your lawn extension for your carts. Never place carts on top of snow banks, as automated trucks cannot reach them.
Spring
AprilRegular weekly curbside compost collection officially resumes in April. This is the perfect time to prepare yard debris and participate in the free Washtenaw County Clean-Up Days for household hazardous waste.
Fall
October - NovemberDuring peak leaf-drop season, ensure all yard waste is placed inside your designated compost cart or in compliant paper yard bags. It is strictly prohibited to sweep leaves into the street or municipal bike lanes.
Local Tips & Community Info
Navigating Ann Arbor's Weekly Waste Collection
The City of Ann Arbor provides standard weekly refuse collection to ensure residential neighborhoods remain pristine. To guarantee your household waste is picked up without issues, you must roll your city-issued garbage cart to the street edge before 7:00 a.m. on your specific service day. Proper placement is crucial; carts need to face the street with their handles pointing toward your home. To accommodate the mechanical arms of the collection trucks, keep a minimum distance of three feet between your trash cart and any other bins, mailboxes, or vehicles. Furthermore, empty carts must be removed from the public right-of-way within twelve hours of being serviced.
Partnership with Recycle Ann Arbor
While the municipality manages standard refuse, residential recycling services are operated in partnership with the nonprofit organization Recycle Ann Arbor. Collections take place weekly on the exact same day as your garbage pickup. Residents can place flattened cardboard, clean paper, metal cans, glass jars, and designated plastic tubs into their single-stream carts. It is imperative that recyclables are kept loose. Bagging your recyclables in plastic liners can jam sorting equipment and lead to your entire bin being rejected at the curb.
Seasonal Compost and Yard Trimmings
During the spring, summer, and autumn seasons, Ann Arbor offers comprehensive curbside compost collection. Each single-family residence is eligible for one complimentary compost cart, with additional carts available for an annual fee if requested through the Customer Service Center. Alongside the official carts, residents may also utilize approved biodegradable paper yard bags for leaves and grass clippings. Bundled branches are also accepted provided they are tied securely. This program diverts significant organic waste away from landfills, turning it into nutrient-rich soil for local parks and gardens.
Dealing with Bulky Furniture and Electronics
Unlike some neighboring municipalities, the City of Ann Arbor does not collect large bulky items like couches, mattresses, or household appliances directly at the residential curb. Leaving these items on your lawn can result in a municipal citation and fine. Instead, residents must transport oversized refuse, electronics, and hard-to-recycle materials to the Drop-Off Station located at 2950 Ellsworth Road. This facility, operated by Recycle Ann Arbor, charges a standard $5 entry gate fee, plus variable disposal fees depending on the specific items being dropped off.
Additional Carts and Municipal Service Fees
Property owners who consistently generate more waste than a single bin can handle have the option to upgrade their capacity. However, the city charges a $61 service fee for the delivery or exchange of any additional carts. If a cart is left at the curb in an improper manner or requires the driver to return later in the day, residents may be subjected to a $65 return-to-service penalty. Maintaining clean and fully serviceable bins keeps neighborhood operations running smoothly and helps keep municipal costs low.
Drop-off Facilities
Recycle Ann Arbor Drop-Off Station (DOS)
2950 E Ellsworth Rd, Ann Arbor, MI 48108
Materials Accepted
Recovery Yard
7891 Jackson Rd, Ann Arbor, MI 48103
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
What time do I need to put my garbage out in Ann Arbor?
All refuse, recycling, and compost carts must be placed at the curb no later than 7:00 a.m. on your officially designated collection day.
Will Ann Arbor pick up a couch or mattress from my curb?
No. The city strictly prohibits leaving large bulky items at the curb. You must transport furniture, appliances, and electronics to the Drop-Off Station located on Ellsworth Road.
Who handles recycling issues in the city?
Curbside recycling is exclusively managed by Recycle Ann Arbor. For specific questions about accepted materials, you can contact them directly or utilize their interactive online A-to-Z sorting guide.