Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for East Lansing
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.
Green (City-issued Cart) Bin (Trash)
Must be placed at the curb by 7:30 a.m. on collection day, but no earlier than 8:00 p.m. the night before. Excess trash requires official Yellow Bags.
Accepted Items
- ✓Everyday household refuse
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
Green cart with Blue Lid (or standard Blue Cart) Bin (Recycling)
Materials must be loose in the cart, not bagged. Place at the curb by 7:30 a.m., keeping the cart at least 3 feet away from your trash bin.
Accepted Items
- ✓Cardboard and paperboard
- ✓Mixed paper, mail, and magazines
- ✓Plastic bottles and jugs (#1, #2, #5)
- ✓Metal cans and clear/colored glass
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags and film
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Greasy pizza boxes
- ✕Medical waste
- ✕Yard waste
Yard Waste Bin
Must use a max 32-gallon rigid container or paper yard bag with an official City yard waste sticker attached. Max 40 lbs per container/bundle. Must schedule Monday pickup.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Plant materials
- ✓Brush and limbs (under 4 inches thick)
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Mondays only, by appointment
Placement
Place items at the curb by 7:30 a.m. Monday. An official Bulk Item Sticker must be visibly attached to each item. Un-stickered items risk a $220+ citation.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture and mattresses
- ✓ Appliances (Freon appliances require a specific hazardous sticker) [1.2.1]
- ✓ Carpet
- ✓ Large rubbish over 40 lbs
Not Accepted
- ✕ Construction materials
- ✕ Hazardous waste (paints, chemicals)
- ✕ Un-stickered items
- ✕ Yard waste
A standard bulk item sticker costs $27.00. Items containing Freon require a $44.25 sticker. Prices are subject to change and stickers must be purchased from City Hall, DPW, or online.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If a city-observed holiday falls on a weekday, trash and recycling collection will typically be delayed by one day for the remainder of the week.
Yard Waste Exception
Because yard waste is only collected on Mondays, if a holiday falls on a Monday, yard waste collection is simply canceled for that week.
The city posts specific 'No-Fee Holiday Trash Collection' days around major holidays where yellow bags may not be required for excess waste. Always check the city's homepage alerts.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Do Not Bag Extra Trash in Black Bags
If your city trash cart is full, you cannot just set extra black garbage bags next to it. DPW will only collect excess trash if it is securely placed inside official City of East Lansing 'Yellow Bags,' which can be purchased locally.
Freon Requires a Special Sticker
Putting a refrigerator or dehumidifier at the curb with a standard bulk sticker is a violation. Appliances containing Freon require a specific, higher-priced Hazardous Waste Sticker (approx. $44.25) to cover the safe removal of refrigerant gases.
Keep Plastic Bags Out of the Recycling Cart
Never put your recyclables into plastic grocery bags. The automated sorting facility cannot process film plastics, and doing so will result in your cart being tagged as contaminated and left unemptied.
Seasonal Information
Spring
April - MayStandard yard waste collection begins. Remember that all brush, leaves, and grass clippings must be tagged with a paid municipal yard waste sticker and scheduled for a Monday pickup [1.3.2].
Fall
October - NovemberThe city transitions to its Fall Bulk Leaf Collection program. Look out for the schedule detailing alternating weeks for the East and West sides, during which you can rake loose leaves to the curb for free without stickers.
Winter
December - MarchGeneral yard waste collection is suspended, but the city offers a brief window for live Christmas tree recycling. Trees must be entirely free of lights, tinsel, and ornaments.
About East Lansing Waste Management
The Unique Monday Schedule for Bulk and Yard Waste
In East Lansing, general household trash and recycling occur weekly on designated neighborhood days. However, the Department of Public Works handles all bulk items and yard waste strictly on Mondays. To receive service, residents must actively schedule their Monday pickup online by 7:30 a.m. the day of, or by calling the DPW by 4:00 p.m. the Friday prior. Unscheduled items left at the curb will be ignored and subject to fines.
Navigating the Sticker and Yellow Bag System
East Lansing operates a pay-as-you-throw system for excess refuse and special pickups. If you generate more trash than your city-issued bin can hold, you cannot use standard store-bought black bags; you must purchase official City of East Lansing 'Yellow Bags'. Similarly, both yard waste bags and bulk items require pre-purchased municipal stickers before they will be collected.
Strict Enforcement of Ordinance 1300
Because East Lansing is a college town (home to Michigan State University), improper disposal of furniture during student move-out is a major focus. Under Ordinance No. 1300, leaving a couch, mattress, or bulky item at the curb without a paid sticker or scheduled pickup will trigger a rapid citation. Residents often have just 2 to 8 hours to remove a tagged violation before facing fines exceeding $220 plus abatement costs.
Fall Free Bulk Leaf Collection
While spring and summer yard waste requires paid stickers, the city offers a highly anticipated 'No-Fee' Fall Bulk Leaf Collection. During designated weeks in the autumn, residents on alternating east and west sides of the city can simply rake loose leaves directly to the curb. This seasonal program is entirely free and bypasses the usual bag and sticker requirements.
Drop-off Facilities
Granger Waste Services (Self-Haul)
16980 Wood Rd, Lansing, MI 48906
Materials Accepted
Ingham County Household Hazardous Waste Collection
Various event locations
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I throw away a couch or mattress in East Lansing?
You must purchase an official Bulk Item Sticker (currently $27) from City Hall, the DPW, or online. Then, schedule a Monday pickup via the city's online portal or by calling DPW. Place the item at the curb with the sticker attached by 7:30 a.m. on your scheduled Monday.
What happens if I just leave furniture on the curb?
Leaving bulk items at the curb without scheduling a pickup or attaching a paid sticker violates Ordinance No. 1300. You will receive a citation notice giving you 2 to 8 hours to remove the item. If you fail to do so, you can be fined over $220 plus city removal costs.
What should I do if my trash cart is completely full?
For trash that exceeds your city-provided cart, you cannot simply use regular garbage bags. You must purchase official 'Yellow Bags' from the city or local participating retailers and place the excess trash in those bags for curbside collection.
Do I need a sticker for yard waste?
Yes, during standard spring and summer collection, all yard waste bags or max 32-gallon rigid containers must have an official City of East Lansing Yard Waste sticker attached, and you must request a Monday pickup. The only exception is during the 'No-Fee' Fall Bulk Leaf Collection.