Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Mentor
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.
Green with green lid (Standard WM Cart) Bin (Trash)
Place carts at the curb no earlier than 3:00 P.M. the day before collection, and no later than 7:00 A.M. on collection day. Remove from the curb by 7:00 A.M. the following day.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓General solid waste
Green with yellow lid (Standard WM Cart) Bin (Recycling)
Recycling is collected every other week. Items must be placed loosely in the bin. Do not bag recyclables. Rinse all containers clean before disposal.
Accepted Items
- ✓Plastic bottles and containers (rinsed clean)
- ✓Glass bottles and jars (rinsed clean)
- ✓Food and beverage cans and cartons
- ✓Paper free of glue, glitter, or crayon
- ✓Flattened cardboard and paperboard
Do NOT Include
- ✕Pizza boxes
- ✕Plastic bags and plastic wrap
- ✕Styrofoam (Polystyrene)
- ✕Shredded paper
- ✕Electronics and propane tanks
- ✕Plastic caps
Yard Waste Bin
Use paper yard waste bags or rigid containers up to 32 gallons (marked 'YW' with holes drilled for drainage). Each unit must weigh less than 35 lbs. No plastic bags.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Leaves and plants
- ✓Small twigs and hedge trimmings
- ✓Brush (cut to 4-foot lengths and tied in bundles, under 3 inches in diameter)
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Weekly on your regular trash collection day
Placement
Place bulk items at the curb no later than 7:00 A.M. on collection day. Keep them separate from your regular trash cart to allow easy access for the specialized bulk collection truck.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture (sofas, chairs, tables)
- ✓ Large appliances (refrigerators and AC units must have CFCs legally removed)
- ✓ Mattresses
- ✓ Large household goods that don't fit in the cart
Not Accepted
- ✕ Tires
- ✕ Hazardous materials
- ✕ Construction or demolition debris
- ✕ Large auto parts
- ✕ Dead animals
- ✕ Yard waste
Bulk item pickup is included in the standard quarterly rate billed by Waste Management. No extra tags or fees are required for standard household furniture.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If a recognized holiday falls on a weekday, service will be conducted the day after your regular pick-up day for the remainder of the week.
Yard Waste Exception
Yard waste follows the same holiday delay schedule as regular trash and recycling since it is collected by Waste Management on the same day.
If the holiday falls on a weekend, your service will NOT be delayed.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Pizza Boxes Are Not Recyclable
Unlike some neighboring cities, Mentor's recycling processor strictly forbids pizza boxes in the recycling cart. The grease and leftover cheese from the pizza can easily jam the sorting machinery and contaminate clean paper bundles.
Avoid Wishcycling Shredded Paper
Do not put shredded paper in your recycling bin. While standard office paper is highly recyclable, shredded paper falls through the cracks of the sorting equipment, contaminating glass and plastic streams.
Leave the Plastic Caps Off
When recycling plastic bottles and jugs, make sure to remove the plastic caps first and throw them in the regular trash. Mentor's single-stream guidelines specifically list plastic caps as an unaccepted item.
Seasonal Information
Autumn
Late October - DecemberTo accommodate heavy fall foliage, Mentor increases the weekly curbside yard waste limit from 12 units to 25 units per week starting the last full week of October.
Winter (Post-Holiday)
JanuaryAfter the holidays, residents can drop off live Christmas trees at four specific city parks: Edward R. Walsh Park, Eleanor B. Garfield Park, Donald E. Krueger Park, and Morton Park.
Winter
January - MarchCurbside yard waste collection is suspended during the core winter months. The program officially ends in mid-December and does not resume until the first week of April.
About Mentor Waste Management
Comprehensive Weekly Services with Waste Management
The City of Mentor provides a robust solid waste program through a contract with Waste Management. For a highly affordable quarterly fee, residents receive weekly curbside garbage and bulk item pickup, alongside bi-weekly single-stream recycling. Waste Management handles the billing directly, and residents can easily manage their accounts or opt into text and email notifications for weather-related service delays.
Walk-Up Service for Eligible Residents
Understanding that moving heavy carts to the curb can be difficult for some, Mentor offers a specialized Walk-Up Service. This program is available for residents who are physically unable to transport their garbage and recycling containers to the curbside. As long as the containers are kept outside of any garage or structure and within 75 feet of the curb, Waste Management employees will retrieve them at no extra charge, though an application is required.
Seasonal Fluctuations in Yard Waste Allowances
Mentor features one of the most accommodating yard waste programs in Northeast Ohio. Running from April through December, the city adjusts your weekly limits based on the season. During the spring and summer months (April through the third week of October), residents can set out up to 12 units of yard waste per week. During peak leaf season—from the last full week of October through December—this allowance more than doubles to 25 units per week.
Upsizing Your Recycling Efforts
To encourage maximum recycling participation, the current contract between Mentor and Waste Management allows residents to upgrade their recycling bin capacity. If your standard-sized recycling bin is overflowing before your bi-weekly collection day, you can contact WM directly to request a larger recycling container—comparable in size to the standard garbage cart—at absolutely no additional cost to your quarterly bill.
Drop-off Facilities
Lake County Landfill & Recycling Center
2039 Blase Nemeth Road, Painesville, OH 44077
Materials Accepted
Bulldog Batteries (Battery Recycling)
37645 Vine Street, Willoughby, OH 44094
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does trash pickup cost in Mentor, Ohio?
The cost for weekly garbage, weekly bulk item, weekly yard waste, and bi-weekly recycling collection is $28.11 per quarter. This amount is billed directly to residents by Waste Management.
Does Mentor have a limit on how much yard waste I can put out?
Yes, but it fluctuates by season. From April through the third week of October, you can set out up to 12 units (bags or cans) per week. From the last full week of October through December, the limit increases to 25 units per week.
What happens if I cannot physically move my trash bins to the curb?
Mentor offers a Walk-Up Service for residents physically unable to move their carts. If approved, Waste Management will retrieve your garbage and recycling carts from near your house (within 75 feet of the curb, outside of any structures) at no extra charge.
Do I have to call Waste Management before putting out large furniture?
No. Mentor's contract includes weekly bulk item pickup on your normal trash day without requiring prior scheduling. Simply place the item at the curb by 7:00 A.M., noting that a separate truck will come by to collect it.