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Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Cleveland
Trash Day
Trash collection runs Monday through Friday depending on your neighborhood route, with single-family and multi-family homes up to 4 units serviced once per week.
Recycling
Recycling is picked up weekly on the same day as your trash for households enrolled in the city's opt-in curbside recycling program.
Yard Waste
Yard waste is collected weekly on your regular trash day (up to 20 bags of leaves/grass or 20 tied bundles under 3 feet long per week).
Set Out Time
By 6:00 AM on collection day
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Residential trash collection is billed at a monthly rate per unit through City Services Billing. Unpaid balances may be certified as a property tax lien with Cuyahoga County.
Billing Cycle
Monthly
Accepted Methods
Online, Mail, In Person, Phone
Pro Tip / Discount
No senior or income discounts listed, but exemptions are available for vacant units or private hauling, and specialized 64-gallon carts and collection assistance are available for residents with disabilities.
96-Gallon Black Cart Bin (Trash)
All regular waste must be contained entirely inside the black cart with the lid completely closed. Items must not exceed the height of the cart. Set out the night before or by 6:00 AM on collection day.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household garbage
- ✓Food waste and non-recyclable packaging
- ✓Small amounts of dried latex paint
- ✓Up to 4 passenger tires (no rims, left outside cart)
64-Gallon Blue Cart (Opt-in required) Bin (Recycling)
Do not bag recyclables; place them loose in the blue cart. The city advises against looking for chasing arrows or numbers, and instead asks residents to strictly follow the approved items list.
Accepted Items
- ✓Clean cardboard and paper
- ✓Plastic bottles and jugs
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Metal food and beverage cans
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags and film
- ✕Food scraps and liquids
- ✕Yard waste
- ✕Styrofoam and electronics
Yard Waste Bin
Grass and leaves must be bagged. Tree branches must be tied in bundles no larger than 3 feet long by 2 feet wide. Limit of 20 bags and 20 bundles per week.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Plant debris
- ✓Tree branches and brush
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Monthly (First full week of the month)
Placement
Items must be set out the night before or by 6:00 AM on collection day. Mattresses and cloth furniture must be entirely wrapped in plastic to protect city workers from parasites.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture (couches, tables, dressers)
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs (must be wrapped)
- ✓ Appliances (coolants and fluids must be drained)
- ✓ Large empty boxes
Not Accepted
- ✕ Construction and demolition debris (concrete, wood, drywall)
- ✕ Hazardous waste (chemicals, wet paint)
- ✕ Tires (these have a separate 4-per-week allowance)
Bulk collection is included with city services. Residents can also drop off up to 4 cubic yards of bulk waste for free, 4 times a year, at the Ridge Road Transfer Station.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If an observed holiday falls on a weekday, trash and recycling collection will be delayed by one day for the remainder of that week. Friday collections will occur on Saturday.
Yard Waste Exception
Yard waste limits and schedules adhere to the same holiday delay structure as regular waste.
Not all federal holidays cause delays in Cleveland. For instance, depending on the year, Independence Day (July 4th) collections may experience no delay.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Fall
October - NovemberThe Cleveland Division of Air Quality strictly prohibits the open burning of leaves and yard waste. All autumn leaves must be bagged and placed out for the regular yard waste collection.
Winter
December - FebruaryDuring heavy lake-effect snowfalls, ensure your carts are not buried in snowbanks or placed in the street where they obstruct snowplows. Clear a small area on your driveway apron or tree lawn for cart placement.
Monthly Ongoing
Year-RoundMark your calendar: the first full week of every single month is designated for bulk pick-up. You may set out up to 3 bulk items alongside your regular trash collection on your standard service day during this week.
Local Tips & Community Info
City of Cleveland Waste Collection Schedule
Cleveland residents are provided with municipal refuse services through the Division of Waste Collection. Standard household garbage is picked up weekly using the city-issued 96-gallon black carts. To guarantee service, homeowners must roll their bins to the curb by 6:00 a.m. on their designated collection morning, or they may place them out the night before. All trash must fit entirely inside the container so the lid can close flat, as overflowing carts can result in skipped pickups or municipal citations.
Curbside Recycling: The Opt-In Program
Unlike some municipalities, Cleveland utilizes an opt-in system for residential recycling. This means eligible single-family homes and buildings with up to four units must actively enroll to receive a 64-gallon blue recycling cart. You can join the program at no extra cost by calling 3-1-1. Once enrolled, you can dispose of loose cardboard, clean plastic bottles, glass jars, and metal cans. Never bag your recyclables, and keep food scraps or yard debris out of the blue bin.
Monthly Bulk Waste Guidelines
Rather than scheduling individual appointments, the city designates the first full week of every month as bulk pickup week. During this specific timeframe, households can leave up to three large items at the curb alongside their standard trash cart. Accepted items include appliances, tables, and couches. Crucially, sanitation workers will not collect mattresses, box springs, or cloth-covered furniture unless these items are securely wrapped in plastic to protect against bedbugs and weather.
Yard Waste & Tire Disposal Limits
Seasonal yard maintenance generates excess debris, which the city accommodates with specific set-out limits. Homeowners can place up to 20 bags of yard clippings or 20 bundles of brush at the curb per week. Tree branches must be tied and kept manageable for the crews. Additionally, the waste division allows the disposal of up to four passenger vehicle tires per week, provided they are completely removed from their metal rims.
Rules for Proper Cart Placement
Because the sanitation department uses automated trucks with robotic arms, proper cart positioning is essential. Bins should be placed at the edge of the tree lawn with the lid opening facing the street. Always leave a minimum of three feet of clearance between the black and blue carts, as well as keeping them away from parked vehicles, utility poles, and mailboxes. Blocking the automated arm's path will likely result in a missed collection.
Holiday Collection Adjustments
When a federally recognized holiday falls on a weekday, Cleveland typically shifts the waste and recycling routes back by one day for the remainder of that week. For example, if a holiday lands on a Monday, Monday’s route is serviced on Tuesday, and Friday’s route gets pushed to Saturday. Residents are encouraged to review the annual waste calendar provided by the city to stay updated on temporary schedule changes.
Drop-off Facilities
Carr Center Drop-off Location
5600 Carnegie Ave, Cleveland, OH 44103
Materials Accepted
Ridge Road Transfer Station
3727 Ridge Road, Cleveland, OH 44144
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
When does Cleveland collect bulk trash?
Bulk collection happens during the first full week of each month on your regularly scheduled service day, with a limit of three large items per household.
How do I get a blue recycling bin in Cleveland?
Cleveland requires residents to opt-in for recycling. You can enroll by calling the city's 311 call center to request your free 64-gallon blue recycling cart.
Do I need to wrap my mattress for disposal?
Yes, the Division of Waste Collection requires all mattresses, box springs, and fabric or leather furniture to be completely wrapped in plastic before placing them at the curb.