Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Ann Arbor
Michigan residential pickups occur weekly. Please check your local township or city map for your exact neighborhood collection day.
State Mandate
Keep yard clippings out of landfills. Return deposit bottles separately.
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
!Contamination Tips
The 'Fist' Rule for Sizing
In Ann Arbor, size matters for recycling. If an item is smaller than a fist or an index card, it will fall through the sorting equipment at the Material Recovery Facility. Throw these tiny items directly into the trash.
Keep Plastic Bags Out of the MRF
Plastic bags and film are notorious 'tanglers' that jam the machinery at Recycle Ann Arbor’s zero-waste facility. Never bag your recyclables, and take your plastic grocery bags back to local retailers for proper recycling.
Scrap Metal Requires Drop-Off
Do not put scrap metal, car parts, wires, or heavy metal objects into your recycling cart. These dangerous items must be driven to the Drop-Off Station on Ellsworth Road or the Recovery Yard on Jackson Road.
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.
About Ann Arbor Waste Management
Ann Arbor’s Curbside Trash and Recycling System
The City of Ann Arbor provides weekly curbside collection for trash, recycling, and compost to all single-family and duplex homes. Proper cart placement is critical for the city's automated trucks: carts must be placed three feet apart with the lid completely closed and the handle facing your home. Due to Ann Arbor's extensive cycling infrastructure, residents must be careful never to place waste carts inside designated bike lanes. Empty carts must be removed from the curb within 12 hours of service.
Zero Waste Initiative and Recycle Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor takes a highly progressive approach to waste diversion through a unique partnership with Recycle Ann Arbor, a community-based non-profit. Materials collected at the curb are processed at a state-of-the-art, zero-waste Material Recovery Facility (MRF). Because of this advanced system, maintaining clean recycling streams is mandatory. Residents are encouraged to shift their mindset from simply throwing things away to actively participating in a local circular economy focused on reuse and repair.
No Curbside Bulk Trash Collection
Unlike many municipalities, Ann Arbor does not offer free curbside collection for large, bulky items like mattresses, furniture, or appliances. Leaving oversized items at the curb is prohibited and can result in fines if left out for over 48 hours. Instead, residents must self-haul these items to the Recycle Ann Arbor Drop-Off Station on Ellsworth Road or utilize the Washtenaw County Clean-Up Days.
The Drop-Off Station (DOS) Resident Pass
To help manage large waste disposal, City of Ann Arbor residents can apply online for a special Drop-Off Station Pass. Once approved (proof of residency is required), this pass waives the standard $3 gate entry fee at the Ellsworth Road facility. While the entry fee is waived, residents should be prepared to pay the standard volumetric or item-specific disposal fees for bulky waste and hard-to-recycle materials.
Winter Compost Adjustments
While traditional yard waste and compost collection runs weekly from April through December, the city implements a modified schedule during the colder months. Between January and March, Ann Arbor shifts to a once-a-month winter compost collection program to accommodate household organics without running trucks unnecessarily during low-yield yard waste months.
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
Can I leave old furniture on the curb for pickup in Ann Arbor?
No. The City of Ann Arbor does not provide curbside bulk trash pickup. Leaving furniture, mattresses, or large appliances on the curb for over 48 hours is prohibited and can result in fines. You must transport these items to the Drop-Off Station on Ellsworth Road.
How do I get the $3 entry fee waived at the Drop-Off Station?
Ann Arbor residents can apply online via the city's portal for a Drop-Off Station Pass. Once you provide proof of residency, you will receive a pass that waives the $3 gate fee. However, you will still be responsible for the individual disposal fees associated with large items or hard-to-recycle materials.
Does compost and yard waste pickup stop during the winter?
Weekly compost collection pauses from January through March. However, the city provides a monthly winter pickup (typically one designated week each in January, February, and March). Regular weekly service resumes in April.
How should I handle cart placement during heavy snow?
During winter storms, it is crucial to keep your carts free of snow and ice. You should shovel out a flat spot on the lawn extension or the edge of the road. Never place your carts on top of snow banks, as the automated trucks will not be able to service them.