Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Sandusky
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.
Varies by Private Hauler Bin (Trash)
Trash collection rules, cart sizes, and exact placement times are dictated by the specific private hauler you hire (e.g., Rumpke or Republic).
Accepted Items
- ✓Household garbage
- ✓Non-recyclable packaging
- ✓Food waste
Green Dumpsters at Cement Ave Drop-off Bin (Recycling)
Items must be emptied, clean, and dry. Do NOT bag recyclables; place them loosely inside the public drop-off bins at 1024 Cement Avenue.
Accepted Items
- ✓Cardboard and paper products
- ✓Plastic bottles and jugs
- ✓Metal cans
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic grocery bags
- ✕Household trash
- ✕Construction debris
- ✕Televisions
- ✕Mattresses and furniture
Yard Waste Bin
Requires a paid monthly subscription. Place in a 20-35 gallon container clearly marked 'YARD WASTE' or in biodegradable kraft bags by 6:00 a.m. on Fridays.
Accepted Items
- ✓Leaves and brush
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Garden waste
- ✓Tree material up to 4 inches in diameter (tied)
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
By private arrangement or bi-annual Citywide Cleanup
Placement
Coordinate curbside placement with your private hauler. For the Citywide event, residents must drive items directly to the Shelby St. Boat Launch between 8:00 and 11:00 AM.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture
- ✓ Mattresses
- ✓ Household cleanout items (at Citywide Cleanup)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Televisions/CRT monitors
- ✕ Hazardous waste
- ✕ Commercial construction debris
Private haulers typically charge extra for curbside bulk pickups. The Citywide Cleanup is free for Sandusky residents.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
Since standard trash is handled by private subscription, holiday delays depend on your specific hauler (e.g., Rumpke or Republic). Always check directly with your contracted provider.
Yard Waste Exception
The city's Friday yard waste service follows specific holiday shifts. If a major holiday falls during the workweek, Friday collection shifts to Saturday.
If a holiday like the Fourth of July falls on a weekend, Friday yard waste collection typically remains unchanged.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Never Bag Recyclables at the Hub
When utilizing the Cement Avenue Recycling Center, you must place your cardboard and plastics loosely into the bins. Discarding plastic grocery bags or garbage bags ruins the sorting process and can lead to illegal dumping citations monitored by video surveillance.
Size Limits for Yard Debris
If you are enrolled in the Friday yard waste program, ensure any brush or tree material is tied in manageable bundles and does not exceed 4 inches in diameter.
Keep the Boulevard Clear for Leaf Trucks
During the November and December leaf collection season, rake leaves strictly to the boulevard (tree lawn). Do not place them in the street or mix in sticks and trash, which can clog the city's vacuum equipment.
Seasonal Information
Winter
JanuaryThe city offers a free Christmas tree pickup during the first week of January. Trees must be stripped of all ornaments, tinsel, and stands, and placed on the boulevard by 7:00 a.m. Do not wrap trees in plastic.
Fall
SeptemberLook out for the bi-annual Citywide Cleanup event at the Shelby Street Boat Launch. This is a rare opportunity to drop off major bulk waste free of charge, with on-site volunteers helping to unload your items.
Fall
November - DecemberThe standard yard waste subscription ends on December 31st, but the city’s separate loose leaf collection happens continuously throughout November and December, directly managed by the Public Works Department.
About Sandusky Waste Management
Open Market Residential Hauling
Unlike municipalities that contract a single company, the City of Sandusky operates on an open-market subscription system for standard refuse. The Erie County Health Department registers various private waste haulers. Homeowners are responsible for independently contracting with their chosen provider, such as Republic Services or Rumpke, for weekly household garbage collection.
Centralized Recycling Drop-Off Hub
Because private haulers handle standard trash, the City of Sandusky provides a dedicated, centralized drop-off site for recycling to ensure all residents have access. Located at the City Service Center on Cement Avenue, this free 24/7 facility accepts single-stream recyclables—but strictly prohibits plastic bags, mattresses, and yard waste. It is heavily monitored by Sandusky Police to prevent illegal dumping.
Optional Friday Yard Waste Subscription
Managing grass clippings and brush requires opting into the city's specialized yard waste program. For a monthly fee added directly to your water bill, residents can have their yard waste picked up every Friday by a city-contracted hauler. Participants must use clearly marked 20-35 gallon containers or biodegradable bags, placing them at the curb by 6:00 a.m.
Bi-Annual Citywide Cleanup Drop-Off
To help residents dispose of large household items that standard private haulers won't take, Sandusky hosts a City-Wide Cleanup event twice a year, typically in the spring and fall. Held at the Shelby Street Boat Launch, volunteers assist residents with unloading bulky items straight from their vehicles.
Specialized Winter Debris Collection
The Department of Public Works directly manages seasonal cleanups separate from the subscription yard waste service. In November and December, crews vacuum loose leaves from the boulevard, and during the first week of January, they provide a free, one-time curbside collection for bare, unbagged Christmas trees.
Drop-off Facilities
City Service Center Recycling Drop-Off
1024 Cement Avenue, Sandusky, OH 44870
Materials Accepted
Erie County Sanitary Landfill
10101 Hoover Rd, Milan, OH 44846
Materials Accepted
Best Buy (Electronics Recycling)
4210 Milan Rd., Sandusky, OH 44870
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the City of Sandusky provide weekly trash pickup?
No. The City of Sandusky operates on an open-market system. Homeowners and businesses must independently select and contract with a private waste hauler registered by the Erie County Health Department, such as Republic Services or Rumpke.
How does the curbside yard waste program work?
Residents can opt into the city's Yard Waste Program for a $16.50 monthly fee added to their water bill. Contracted crews collect marked 20-35 gallon bins or biodegradable bags of grass, brush, and leaves every Friday from April through December.
Where can I recycle my cardboard and plastic bottles?
Sandusky provides a free, centralized recycling drop-off hub for city residents located at the City Service Center on 1024 Cement Avenue. You can drop off unbagged paper, cardboard, glass, and metal cans. It is heavily monitored to prevent illegal dumping.
How do I dispose of an old CRT television?
Old tube TVs are not accepted at the city recycling center or typically by standard curbside haulers. You must take them to an e-waste drop-off. The nearest location is Best Buy on Milan Road, which accepts CRT TVs 32 inches and smaller for a $25 fee.