Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Lakewood
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.
City-provided automated refuse cart Bin (Trash)
Place carts next to the street in the driveway apron or at the corner of the driveway apron and tree lawn. The serial number and lid opening must face the street. Set out between 6:00 PM the day before and 6:00 AM on collection day.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Non-recyclable packaging
City-provided automated recycling cart Bin (Recycling)
All recyclables must be placed loosely in the cart. Do not put items in plastic grocery bags. The city strictly follows the Cuyahoga County Solid Waste District's recycling guidelines.
Accepted Items
- ✓Cardboard and paper
- ✓Plastic bottles and jugs
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Aluminum and steel cans
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Yard waste
- ✕Dirt or concrete
- ✕Hazardous waste
- ✕Hot ashes
Yard Waste Bin
Yard waste must not be placed in refuse or recycling carts. Set yard waste out in brown paper yard bags on your regular collection day, or drop it off at the Berea Road facility.
Accepted Items
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Brush
- ✓Tree limbs
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Weekly on your scheduled refuse collection day
Placement
Place bulk items on the tree lawn on your scheduled collection day. Crucially, all mattresses, box springs, and upholstered furniture MUST be fully wrapped and sealed in plastic mattress bags.
Accepted
- ✓ Large furniture
- ✓ Appliances
- ✓ Wrapped mattresses and box springs
- ✓ Carpet (taped or tied in 4-foot rolls)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Contractor-generated debris
- ✕ Household hazardous waste
- ✕ Tires
- ✕ Dead animals
- ✕ Hot ashes
Mattress bags can be purchased at the Drop-Off Facility for $3 each. A minimum $100 fee may apply if the city has to clean up improperly placed debris or items left behind by contractors.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
The Division of Refuse and Recycling does not collect on weekends. If an observed holiday falls on a weekday, collections for the remainder of the week are typically delayed by one day.
Yard Waste Exception
Curbside yard waste collection follows the same holiday schedule and will experience the same one-day delay as standard refuse and recycling.
If a recognized holiday falls on a Saturday, it is observed on Friday; if on a Sunday, it is observed on Monday. Always check the official city calendar for precise schedule adjustments.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Keep Plastic Bags Out of the Cart
Thin plastic grocery bags create massive tangles in regional sorting machines. Never bag your recyclables; always leave them loose in the cart. Return plastic bags to local grocery store drop-offs instead.
No Construction Debris in Curbside Bins
Do not place concrete, dirt, stones, or heavy building materials in your curbside carts. These dense materials can severely damage the city's automated collection trucks. Contractors are strictly responsible for hauling away their own debris.
Hazardous Materials Belong at the Drop-Off
Items like lithium batteries, oil-based paint, chemicals, and motor oil should never go in your curbside bins. They pose extreme fire and environmental hazards. Take these directly to the Lakewood Refuse and Recycling Center.
Seasonal Information
Autumn
October to DecemberThe city's Forestry Unit runs an annual fall leaf collection program. Rake leaves into piles on the tree lawn, ensuring no other yard waste or debris is mixed in, which can damage the leaf vacuums.
Winter
December to FebruaryKeep carts unburied from snow banks and clear of ice. You should shovel a level shelf into the snow bank—no higher than six inches from the ground—for stability and safe lifting, or clear a spot in your driveway apron.
Winter
JanuaryFollowing the holidays, the city conducts an annual Christmas tree collection and recycling program. Ensure all lights, ornaments, and plastic tree bags are completely removed before placing the tree on the tree lawn.
About Lakewood Waste Management
Automated Refuse Collection in Lakewood, Ohio
The City of Lakewood operates a highly efficient municipal solid waste program through its Division of Refuse and Recycling. Serving residential properties with one to four units, the city’s 'Green Refuse and Recycling Initiative' utilizes automated collection trucks. Residents are issued specific serial-numbered carts, which must be placed in the driveway apron or on the tree lawn corner to allow the automated arms to safely lift and empty the bins without requiring manual labor.
Proper Bulk Waste and Furniture Disposal
Disposing of large items in Lakewood is convenient but comes with strict public health guidelines. You can place bulk items like appliances and furniture on your tree lawn on your regular trash day without calling ahead. However, all mattresses, box springs, and upholstered furniture must be securely wrapped and sealed in plastic bags before being set out. To make this easier, the city sells heavy-duty mattress bags for a small fee directly at the Berea Road Drop-Off Facility.
Utilizing the Berea Road Drop-Off Facility
For items that cannot be collected at the curb, the Lakewood Refuse and Recycling Center at 12920 Berea Road is an invaluable local resource. Open Monday through Saturday, this facility allows residents to safely dispose of household hazardous waste, electronics, oil-based paint, and excess cardboard. Keep in mind that proof of residency or property ownership is required to enter, and contractor-generated construction debris is strictly prohibited.
Cuyahoga County Recycling Standards
Lakewood partners closely with the Cuyahoga County Solid Waste District to ensure maximum resource recovery. The single-stream recycling program is mandatory for eligible properties, helping to reduce landfill costs and conserve environmental resources. Residents should ensure all approved recyclables—such as glass bottles, metal cans, and plastic jugs—are clean, placed loosely in the cart (never bagged), and free of contamination.
Drop-off Facilities
Lakewood Refuse and Recycling Center (Drop-Off Facility)
12920 Berea Road, Lakewood, OH 44107
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do if my refuse or recycling collection is missed in Lakewood?
If you miss your scheduled collection, you must save the items for the following week or bring them directly to the Lakewood Drop-Off Facility on Berea Road. Leaving improperly placed refuse on the tree lawn on non-collection days can result in a minimum $100 collection fee.
How do I dispose of a mattress or upholstered furniture?
To protect sanitation workers, all mattresses, box springs, and upholstered furniture must be completely wrapped and sealed in plastic mattress bags before being placed on the tree lawn. You can purchase these bags at the Berea Road Drop-Off Facility for $3 each.
Where should I place my trash and recycling carts when it snows?
Keep your carts unburied from snow banks and clear of ice. You should clear a spot in your driveway apron or shovel a level shelf into the snow bank—no higher than six inches from the ground—to ensure stability and allow the automated trucks to safely lift them.
Can I put yard waste in my city-provided refuse or recycling cart?
No. Yard waste, dirt, and stone are strictly prohibited in your automated refuse and recycling carts. Yard waste should be placed in brown paper yard bags on your regular collection day or taken directly to the Berea Road Drop-Off Facility.