Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Lorain
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.
Blue container with a black lid (95-gallon) Bin (Trash)
Place carts curbside by 7:00 a.m. on collection day (no earlier than 7:00 p.m. the night before). Arrows on the container must point towards the street.
Accepted Items
- ✓Household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Standard refuse
Dark blue container with a light blue lid (65-gallon) Bin (Recycling)
Empty and rinse all containers, remove caps, and place items loosely in the recycling cart. Do not bag recyclables.
Accepted Items
- ✓Aluminum and steel cans
- ✓Glass food and beverage bottles
- ✓Plastics marked #1 through #7
- ✓Clean cardboard and paperboard (e.g., cereal boxes)
- ✓Newspaper and junk mail
- ✓Milk and juice cartons
Do NOT Include
- ✕Shredded paper
- ✕Yard waste
- ✕Plastic bags
- ✕Dirt and stone
- ✕Food-soiled materials
Yard Waste Bin
Use brown paper bio-degradable bags, clear plastic bags, or a loose 32-gallon container marked 'YW' or 'yard waste'. Max weight is 35 lbs. Branches must be bundled under 4 feet in length and 6 inches in diameter.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Small branches
- ✓Brush
- ✓Christmas trees
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Every week on your regularly scheduled pickup day.
Placement
Place bulk items next to your blue trash container on your designated bulk collection day. Do not use contractor bags for excess trash.
Accepted
- ✓ Household furniture
- ✓ Wrapped mattresses and box springs
- ✓ Appliances (Freon removed and tagged; doors removed)
- ✓ Carpet and wood (cut to 4ft, rolled/tied, max 35 lbs)
- ✓ Flattened and tied cardboard boxes (max 4ft)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Freon appliances without a certified removal tag
- ✕ Appliances with doors still attached
- ✕ Large contractor trash bags
- ✕ Loose items in boxes
- ✕ Hazardous waste or construction debris
Weekly bulk pickup is included in standard waste collection services for Lorain residents at no extra charge.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
Republic Services generally pushes residential pickup schedules back by one day if a major recognized holiday falls on or before your normal collection day.
Yard Waste Exception
Since yard waste and bulk items are collected on the same day as your standard garbage, their collection will also be delayed by one day during holiday weeks.
Always check the Republic Services app or website during holiday weeks to confirm your exact delayed pickup date, as schedules resume normally the following week.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Remove Caps and Rinse Clean
When recycling plastics and glass in Lorain, always ensure the containers are rinsed clean and the caps or lids have been completely removed before tossing them into the dark blue cart.
Wrap Mattresses and Furniture
If you are setting out bulk items like mattresses, box springs, or upholstered chairs, they must be completely wrapped and sealed in plastic. Republic Services will reject exposed fabric items due to the risk of bedbugs.
Keep Shredded Paper Out of the Bin
While intact newspapers, junk mail, and clean pizza boxes are welcome in your recycling, shredded paper is strictly prohibited because the small pieces jam the sorting facilities.
Seasonal Information
Winter
December to JanuaryDuring the post-holiday season, Republic Services will pick up Christmas trees every week alongside regular trash. Just place the tree at the curb free of all decorations, lights, and bags.
Spring
March to MayIf you generate extra waste during spring cleaning, you can take advantage of the weekly bulk rules to place up to six 35-gallon bags of trash (max 35 lbs each) next to your cart without calling ahead.
Fall
October to NovemberLorain offers yard waste collection year-round, making fall leaf cleanup easy. Just ensure your leaves are placed in clear plastic bags, paper bags, or designated 32-gallon 'YW' cans, rather than your standard trash bin.
About Lorain Waste Management
Comprehensive Waste Collection for Lorain Residents
The City of Lorain partners with Republic Services to manage weekly residential trash, recycling, yard waste, and bulk item collection. Residents are issued a 95-gallon blue container with a black lid for standard household garbage. To ensure smooth automated servicing, place your carts at the curb with the arrows pointing toward the street by 7:00 a.m. on your collection day, but no earlier than 7:00 p.m. the evening prior.
Republic Services Recycling Guidelines
Lorain's recycling program utilizes a separate 65-gallon dark blue cart featuring a light blue lid. You can recycle common household items like clean cardboard, glass jars, aluminum cans, and plastics numbered #1 through #7. However, the sorting machinery at Republic Services cannot process plastic bags, yard waste, or shredded paper. Remember to empty and rinse all food containers and remove the caps before tossing them loosely into your bin.
Lorain's Weekly Bulk Trash Limits
One of the standout features of Lorain's solid waste program is the weekly bulk trash pickup. Every week, on your normal collection day, you can place oversized items right next to your standard carts. The city allows a generous volume limit of up to 6 cubic meters (roughly a 5' x 5' x 5' pile), which can include up to six 35-gallon bags of excess trash. Heavy items like appliances or cut-and-tied carpeting are also permitted if prepared correctly.
Year-Round Yard Waste Collection
Unlike many municipalities that pause green waste collection during the winter months, Lorain provides year-round yard waste pickup. Yard debris can be placed in clear plastic bags, biodegradable brown paper bags, or a loose 32-gallon plastic container clearly marked with "YW" or "yard waste." Ensure that any bundled branches are cut down to a maximum of 4 feet in length and 6 inches in diameter, and that no single bundle or bag exceeds 35 pounds.
Disposing of Hazardous and Hard-to-Recycle Items
Items like wet paint, motor oil, and hazardous household chemicals are strictly banned from Lorain's curbside bins. To safely dispose of these materials, residents can utilize the Lorain County Collection Center, located at 540 South Abbe Road in nearby Elyria. This facility is open on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays, offering a convenient drop-off point for electronics, fluorescent bulbs, and dangerous household waste.
Drop-off Facilities
Lorain County Collection Center
540 South Abbe Road, Elyria, OH 44035
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I dispose of a refrigerator in Lorain, OH?
Refrigerators and freezers can be set out for the weekly bulk collection, but you must completely remove the doors. Additionally, any Freon must be removed and officially tagged by a certified technician before Republic Services will pick it up.
What are the rules for yard waste in Lorain?
Yard waste is collected year-round on your normal trash day. You must place it in brown biodegradable bags, clear plastic bags, or a loose 32-gallon can clearly marked 'YW' or 'yard waste.' Bundled branches cannot exceed 4 feet in length, 6 inches in diameter, or weigh more than 35 pounds.
Does Lorain have a limit on how much bulk trash I can put out?
Yes. Lorain residents are permitted to place up to 6 cubic meters (equal to a 5' x 5' x 5' volume) of bulk items at the curb every week without scheduling. You may also include up to six extra 35-gallon bags of standard trash as part of this bulk limit.
Who handles trash pickup for the City of Lorain?
The City of Lorain contracts with Republic Services to handle residential trash, recycling, yard waste, and weekly bulk collections. For customer support or missed pickups, you can contact the Republic Services direct line at 800-433-1309 or the Lorain Utilities Department at 440-204-2500 (Option 4).