Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Ypsilanti
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.
City-issued Cart (Serial Number and Logo visible) Bin (Trash)
Trash must fit completely inside the cart. Garbage that protrudes more than 4 inches from the top of the cart will not be collected. Place carts exactly 4 feet away from obstructions like fire hydrants, trees, and other bins.
Accepted Items
- ✓Everyday household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Bagged refuse
City-issued Cart with RFID tag Bin (Recycling)
All recyclables must be placed loosely inside the cart. Do not bag your recycling in plastic bags, as crews will reject the cart to prevent facility contamination.
Accepted Items
- ✓Plastic bottles and containers (No. 1, 2, and 5)
- ✓Aluminum and steel cans
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Flattened cardboard (grease-free)
- ✓Newspaper, junk mail, and mixed paper
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags or film
- ✕Wet paper and cardboard
- ✕Food-soiled materials
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Tanglers and electronics
Yard Waste Bin
Place in 30-gallon Kraft paper bags or repurposed trash cans bearing an official 'Yard Waste' sticker from City Hall. Yard waste and recycling are collected on the same day.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Small twigs and branches
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Fridays Only (Pre-scheduling required)
Placement
Place your scheduled bulk item at the curb at least 4 feet away from your trash cart after 6:00 PM the night before your Friday collection.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture (tables, chairs, dressers)
- ✓ Couches and loveseats
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs (must be wrapped in plastic and taped)
- ✓ Carpet and pad (cut into 4-foot rolls, max 40 lbs per bundle)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Car and truck parts or engines
- ✕ Concrete, bricks, and roofing debris
- ✕ Tree stumps and large pieces of drywall
- ✕ Wet paint cans and hazardous waste
One bulk item per week is collected for free. Additional bulk items scheduled for the same day will incur a cost of $20 each.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If a major holiday falls on a weekday, collections for the remainder of the week are typically delayed by one day, with Friday pickups shifting to Saturday.
Yard Waste Exception
Yard waste collection follows the same holiday delay schedule as standard trash during the active compost season.
Always check the official City of Ypsilanti calendar or the DPW holiday schedule for precise dates, as schedule changes can vary by hauler routing.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Wet Paper is Considered Contamination
Unlike standard garbage, moisture ruins paper recyclables. If your cardboard or mixed paper gets soaked by rain or snow, the Recycle Ann Arbor facility will reject it as a contaminant. Always ensure your cart lid is fully closed to keep materials dry.
Strict Ban on Plastic Grocery Bags
Do not line your recycling cart with a plastic bag, and do not bag your recyclables. The City of Ypsilanti actively inspects carts; if DPW crews spot plastic bags mixed with your recycling, they will leave the cart at the curb unemptied.
Clear 4-Foot Radius Required
Because Stevens Disposal uses automated side-loader arms, your cart needs clearance. If your bin is placed too close to a mailbox, car, or a second cart (must be 4 feet apart), the mechanical arm cannot safely grab it.
Seasonal Information
Spring & Fall
Variable (Announced by DPW)The City of Ypsilanti hosts highly anticipated 'Double Trash Weeks' once in the spring and once in the fall, allowing residents to dispose of excess household refuse beyond the standard limits.
Winter
December - MarchDuring Michigan snowstorms, it is crucial to keep carts out of the plow's path. Do not place your carts on top of snowbanks or directly in the street. Shovel a flat space behind the curb for placement.
All Seasons
Year-roundIf your recycling needs exceed your cart's capacity, Ypsilanti residents can sign up for a free drop-off pass to utilize the Recycle Ann Arbor Drop-Off Station for bulk cardboard and extra recyclables.
About Ypsilanti Waste Management
Automated Side-Loader Fleet and Standardized Carts
The City of Ypsilanti has modernized its waste collection by partnering with Stevens Disposal to utilize automated side-loader technology. To accommodate this fleet, the city provides standardized carts equipped with unique RFID tags assigned to specific addresses. This uniform system helps decrease neighborhood litter, reduces vermin activity, and significantly lowers the risk of injury to sanitation workers.
Special Exemptions for Health Accommodations
Recognizing that the large, 96-gallon automated carts can be difficult to maneuver for some, Ypsilanti offers a special health accommodation. Residents who live alone and have physical or health constraints that preclude them from rolling the heavy carts to the curb can apply for assistance. If you qualify, you must contact the Department of Public Works (DPW) via phone or email to initiate the accommodation process.
Exclusive DDA Dumpster Service for Downtown Residents
For individuals and businesses located within the Downtown Development Authority (DDA) district, traditional curbside carts aren't always feasible. The DDA manages three secure, code-accessed dumpster enclosures located in the N. Huron, S. Huron, and N. Adams parking lots. Eligible downtown residents and restaurants can purchase access to these dumpsters on a four-month billing cycle by contacting the DDA directly.
The A/B Week Recycling Schedule
To maintain efficiency and lower costs, the City of Ypsilanti operates on an A/B bi-weekly recycling schedule. Your cart will be collected every other week on the same day as your standard garbage. All clean recyclables collected curbside are transported directly to the Recycle Ann Arbor Materials Recovery Facility—one of only three zero-waste MRFs operating in the state of Michigan.
Repurposing Old Trash Cans for Compost
When the city transitioned to the automated cart system, many residents were left wondering what to do with their old, personal garbage cans. In an effort to reduce plastic waste, the Ypsilanti DPW encourages residents to repurpose these old bins for yard waste collection. You can visit City Hall to pick up a free, official 'Yard Waste' label sticker to convert your old bin instantly.
Drop-off Facilities
Recycle Ann Arbor Drop-Off Station
2950 E Ellsworth Rd, Ann Arbor, MI 48108
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I throw away a mattress or large piece of furniture in Ypsilanti?
Bulk item pickup happens exclusively on Fridays. You must schedule it in advance by emailing [email protected] or calling 734-279-2611. You get one free bulk item per week; any extra items cost $20. Mattresses must be fully wrapped in plastic and sealed with duct tape.
What should I do if my City of Ypsilanti trash cart is stolen?
Each automated cart has a unique RFID tag tied to your address. If your cart is stolen, file a police report immediately, then contact the Department of Public Services at 734-483-1421 to arrange for a replacement.
Can I put my recycling in plastic grocery bags?
No. The City of Ypsilanti strictly requires all recyclables to be placed loosely inside the cart. Plastic bags jam the machinery at the Recycle Ann Arbor facility. If bags are found in your cart, it will not be collected.
What if I physically cannot push the heavy trash cart to the curb?
The city offers an accommodation for people who live alone and have health issues that prevent them from maneuvering the large carts. You can initiate the application process for this assistance by contacting the DPW.