Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Cleveland Heights
Ohio waste management services operate on weekly zone-based schedules. Exact pickup days vary based on your local municipality or private franchise hauler.
State Mandate
Ohio EPA regulations prohibit the disposal of whole scrap tires in standard landfills.
Black Bin (Trash)
All waste must be bagged and placed securely inside the black cart. Place at the curb by 7:00 AM on collection day with the opening facing the street. Keep at least 3 feet away from recycling carts and other obstacles.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Clothing that cannot be donated
Blue Bin (Recycling)
Items must be empty, clean, dry, and placed loosely in the cart without plastic bags. Caps and lids should be replaced on plastic containers.
Accepted Items
- ✓Aluminum and steel cans
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Plastic bottles, jugs, and tubs (with caps)
- ✓Flattened cardboard and paper
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Hoses, cords, wires
- ✕Food or liquid
- ✕Batteries and electronics
- ✕Yard waste
Yard Waste Bin
Use Kraft paper bags from May through October for leaves and clippings. Brush must be cut under 4 feet and bundled to no more than 2 feet in diameter. Plastic bags are strictly prohibited.
Accepted Items
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Brush and tree trimmings
- ✓Hedge clippings
- ✓Grass clippings
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Monthly during designated neighborhood route week (or by special request)
Placement
Place bulk items on the tree lawn between 7:00 PM Sunday and 7:00 AM Monday of your designated collection week. Keep at least 3 feet away from your carts.
Accepted
- ✓ Couches and chairs
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs (must be wrapped in plastic)
- ✓ Washing machines and refrigerators (doors removed)
- ✓ Rolled carpeting (cut to max 3 feet long)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Construction and demolition debris
- ✕ Tires on rims
- ✕ Hazardous materials
- ✕ Whole house move-out or eviction debris
Up to 4 bulk items are free during your zone's designated week. Additional items, or pickups scheduled on off-weeks, cost $10 per item and must be paid in advance via a Bulk Pickup Request Form.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If an observed city holiday falls on a weekday, refuse and recycling collections will be delayed by one day for the remainder of that week (e.g., Friday collections move to Saturday).
Yard Waste Exception
Special yard waste and scheduled bulk collections follow the same holiday delay schedule as standard household refuse.
There are no delays for city holidays that fall on weekends or do not officially impact the weekday collection calendar.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Say No to Plastic Bags
Never place your recyclables inside plastic grocery bags, and do not put loose plastic bags in your blue cart. They wrap around and jam the sorting machinery at the county recycling center. Return plastic bags to local grocery store drop-offs instead.
Keep Tanglers Out
Garden hoses, electrical cords, chains, and metal hangers are considered 'tanglers' and are strictly prohibited in the recycling cart. If these items get into the processing equipment, they can cause dangerous and costly facility shutdowns.
Wrap Your Fabric Furniture
If you are placing soft furniture or mattresses out for bulk pickup, city regulations require that they must be completely wrapped in plastic. This protects sanitation workers from bed bugs and prevents the items from becoming waterlogged.
Seasonal Information
Autumn
October - NovemberThe city provides a special loose leaf collection program. Rake leaves onto the tree lawn (the grassy area between the street and sidewalk) before your neighborhood's designated week. Never rake leaves into the street, as this illegally blocks storm drains.
Winter
December - FebruaryHeavy Ohio snowstorms can disrupt regular refuse and remaining leaf collections. If snow completely covers leaf piles, the city cannot collect them. Ensure your trash and recycling carts are kept clear of snowbanks and have a 3-foot clearance for the trucks.
Spring/Summer
May - OctoberFrom May through October, residents must use biodegradable Kraft bags for loose yard waste. The Public Works Department will not collect yard debris or grass clippings that are packaged in plastic trash bags or cardboard boxes.
About Cleveland Heights Waste Management
Curbside Collection with Cleveland Heights Public Works
The City of Cleveland Heights manages residential refuse and recycling through its own Public Works Department. Residents are provided with designated carts, which must be placed at the curbside area, between the curb and the sidewalk, by the morning of collection. The city has recently shifted its bulk pickup structure into four distinct neighborhood routes, meaning large items are collected on specific weeks assigned to each zone to streamline operations.
Recycling Right in Cuyahoga County
Cleveland Heights participates in a robust single-stream curbside recycling program. Homeowners should place unbagged cardboard, metal cans, glass jars, and plastic jugs directly into their blue recycling carts. It is critical to rinse out food residue and flatten cardboard boxes to maximize space. Do not place plastic grocery bags or tanglers like garden hoses in the bin, as these items shut down the local Cuyahoga County recycling processing facilities.
Seasonal Yard Debris and Leaf Collection
During the autumn months, the city operates a dedicated leaf collection program where residents can rake loose leaves into piles on the tree lawn (not in the street) prior to their scheduled week. For standard yard waste from May through October, leaves and grass clippings must be placed in brown Kraft paper bags. Meanwhile, tree brush needs to be cut into segments under four feet and securely tied into bundles.
Bulk Trash Limits and Special Request Fees
Bulk item disposal is available for large household goods like mattresses, couches, and appliances. However, the city strictly limits this to four free items placed on the tree lawn on the first day of your designated bulk collection week. Fabric items and mattresses must be fully wrapped in plastic. If you need a special pickup outside your zone's designated week or have more than four items, you must submit a Bulk Pickup Request Form online and pay a $10 fee per item.
Drop-off Facilities
Cleveland Heights Transfer Station
2951 Mayfield Rd, Cleveland Heights, OH 44118
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost for the city to pick up a bulk item like a couch in Cleveland Heights?
During your neighborhood's designated bulk collection week, the city will pick up to four bulk items for free. However, if you need a pickup on a different week or have more than four items, you must submit a Bulk Pickup Request Form and pay a $10 fee per item in advance.
What are the rules for disposing of a mattress?
To ensure the safety of sanitation workers, any soft furniture or mattress placed on the tree lawn for bulk pickup must be completely wrapped in plastic. Unwrapped fabric items and mattresses will not be collected by the Public Works Department.
Can I use plastic bags for my yard waste and grass clippings?
No. The City of Cleveland Heights strictly prohibits placing yard debris in plastic bags. From May through October, you must use biodegradable Kraft paper bags for leaves and clippings, and any brush must be bundled with twine.
Are there any limits on move-out trash or construction debris?
Yes. The city does not service whole-house evictions or large move-outs, and construction or demolition materials (like drywall or scrap wood) are strictly prohibited at the curb. Property owners must hire a private hauling service or rent a dumpster for these large-scale projects.