Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Shaker Heights
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.
Any Color (Resident-Provided) Bin (Trash)
Containers must be max 32 gallons and weigh under 40 lbs. Place by the garage door, corner of house, or driveway by 7:00 a.m. Driveways must be clear of parked cars.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household garbage
- ✓Up to 10 extra 13-gallon bags
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Up to 10 flattened boxes
Green (5-gallon City Buckets or 18-gallon Resident Bin) Bin (Recycling)
Place recyclables loosely in the 5-gallon buckets provided by the City. Do not use plastic grocery bags.
Accepted Items
- ✓Paper and clean cardboard
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Aluminum and steel cans
- ✓Plastic bottles and jugs (narrow neck)
Yard Waste Bin
Rake loose leaves to the tree lawn. Do not mix leaves with brush. Tie brush into bundles or use Kraft paper bags for grass.
Accepted Items
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Brush and tree branches (tied)
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Saturdays only (Drop-off)
Placement
Bring items in a personal car, minivan, SUV, or pickup truck to 15600 Chagrin Blvd on Saturdays between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.
Accepted
- ✓ Appliances
- ✓ Furniture
- ✓ Large household items
- ✓ Small amounts of building materials
Not Accepted
- ✕ Computers
- ✕ Bricks and rocks
- ✕ Liquid paint
- ✕ Insecticides and pesticides
This drop-off service is free for residents but is heavily regulated, allowing only one drop-off trip per household per quarter.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If an observed holiday falls on or before your normal collection day, your pickup will be delayed by one day for that week.
Yard Waste Exception
Yard waste collection follows the same holiday delay schedule as regular trash and recycling.
You can subscribe to the City's Holiday Trash Delays iCalendar feed online to receive automatic digital calendar updates.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
No Plastic Bags in Recycling
Never place your recyclables inside plastic grocery bags. Leave them loose in your green 5-gallon bucket, as plastic film jams sorting machinery.
Separate Brush from Leaves
When preparing yard waste on the tree lawn, never mix loose leaves with sticks or brush. The vacuum trucks cannot process mixed piles, and they will be left behind.
Flatten All Boxes
You may place up to 10 flattened cardboard boxes next to your trash. Ensure they are cut down to a maximum size of 12 by 7 by 18 inches so they can be easily loaded.
Seasonal Information
Autumn
October to NovemberThe city conducts loose leaf collection. Rake leaves directly to the tree lawn, avoiding the street and hydrants, and do not bag them in plastic.
Winter
December to MarchIf a major snowstorm occurs, trash and recycling collection may be delayed by one day. You must shovel enough of your driveway for the city's collection scooters to safely enter.
Spring
AprilSpring loose leaf collection resumes briefly in April. During this time, residents can again rake loose leaves directly to the tree lawn without bagging.
About Shaker Heights Waste Management
Unique Backyard Collection with Scooters
Shaker Heights offers a distinctive approach to municipal waste management by conducting weekly trash and recycling collections directly from residents' back and side yards. This backyard service utilizes specially designed city scooters to navigate driveways and keep unsightly bins off the tree lawns. Residents must ensure their driveways are completely clear of parked cars by 7:00 a.m. on their designated collection day so crews can safely enter and access the bins.
Container Restrictions and Requirements
Because collections are manual and require scooter access, Shaker Heights enforces strict container limits. Residents must use galvanized metal or weather-resistant plastic cans that do not exceed 32 gallons in capacity or 40 pounds when fully loaded. Your containers must be placed in front of your garage door, at the corner of your house, or on your driveway, completely free of any enclosures, fences, or loose objects within a four-foot radius.
Saturday Large Item Drop-Off Program
Unlike many Ohio cities that offer curbside bulk pickup, Shaker Heights manages bulk waste through a self-serve drop-off program. Residents can dispose of large items like furniture and appliances at the Service Center on Chagrin Boulevard exclusively on Saturdays from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. To utilize this free service, you must present a valid driver's license and a recent utility bill, and households are limited to one drop-off trip per quarter.
City-Provided Recycling Buckets
Shaker Heights encourages active recycling by providing free 5-gallon green recycling buckets directly to households. You can request these buckets by calling the Public Works Department. All recyclables must be placed loosely into these buckets without any plastic grocery bags. For paper and cardboard, residents can also use their own 18-gallon bins, provided they display a clear recycling icon.
Tree Lawn Leaf and Brush Separation
During the active autumn months, the city provides specialized yard waste services to manage falling leaves. Residents are instructed to rake loose leaves directly onto the tree lawn, ensuring they do not spill into the street or block fire hydrants. It is critical that tree branches and brush are never mixed with loose leaves, as this will prevent crews from vacuuming the piles.
Drop-off Facilities
Shaker Heights Service Center
15600 Chagrin Boulevard, Shaker Heights, OH 44120
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Shaker Heights pick up trash from the street or curb?
No. Shaker Heights is unique because collections are made from back and side yards using city scooters. You must place your containers in front of your garage door, at the corner of your house, or on your driveway by 7:00 a.m. Driveways must be clear of parked cars.
How do I throw away large furniture or appliances in Shaker Heights?
Shaker Heights does not offer routine curbside bulk pickup. Instead, residents can drop off large items for free at the Service Center (15600 Chagrin Blvd) on Saturdays between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. You are allowed one drop-off per quarter.
What is the weight and size limit for trash cans in Shaker Heights?
Trash containers must be galvanized metal or weather-resistant plastic with tight-fitting lids. They cannot exceed 32 gallons in capacity and must weigh less than 40 pounds when filled. You may also set out up to 10 standard 13-gallon garbage bags.
How do I get recycling buckets in Shaker Heights?
The city provides free 5-gallon green recycling buckets. You can request them by calling the Public Works Department at 216-491-1490 or emailing them directly. You can also use your own 18-gallon bin for paper and cardboard.