Division of Waste Collection & Disposal

Department of Public Works

The mission of the Division of Waste Collection and Recycling is to provide high-quality, customer-friendly service throughout all neighborhoods within the City of Cleveland by performing collection activities and ensuring the appropriate disposal of residential and commercial waste and recyclables.

Equipment

The City of Cleveland provides black, 96-gallon trash carts and, upon request, blue, 64-gallon recycling carts for weekly trash and recycling collection from all single-family and multi-family homes up to four (4) units. 

All waste is collected at the “curbside” area, between the curb and the sidewalk or at the property line.

Residential Drop-off Locations

Residents of the City of Cleveland can drop off certain types of bulky waste four (4) times per year at the following locations:

Carr Center

5600 Carnegie Ave., Cleveland, OH 44103

Open Monday-Friday, 9:00 am to 3:00 pm

Documents to shred, recycling, and computers

Household hazardous waste (1st Fridays only)

 

Ridge Road Transfer Station

3727 Ridge Rd., Cleveland, OH 44144

Open Monday-Friday, 9:00 am to 3:00 pm

Recycling, bulk waste, yard waste, and tires (without wheels/rims)

Household hazardous waste (1st Fridays only) 

Service for Residents with Physical Disabilities

Smaller, 64-gallon trash and recycling carts and cart collection are available for people with physical disabilities. To enroll contact the City of Cleveland Citizen Support Specialists at 3-1-1 or 216-664-2000.

About 3-1-1

Missed Pick-Ups

Division of Waste trucks are on routes, collecting waste, from 7:00 AM until 4:30 PM, Monday through Saturday. 

Routes may be adjusted because of weather, the collective amount of waste to be picked up that day, a lack of equipment, or insufficient staffing levels. 

A truck might not arrive at a specific address at the same time every week. Waste set out on the curbside is not considered “missed” until the end of the day (4:30 pm). Residents whose waste has not been picked up by the end of the day should call 3-1-1 (216.664.3711) and report it as a missed pick- up. This waste can then be left on the curbside for pick-up the following day.

Disposal Tips

  • Place carts curbside the night before collection, or no later than 6:00 AM on collection day
  • All waste must be placed inside the cart
  • Do not place items in carts that exceed the height of the cart
  • Place carts at least three (3) feet apart to allow room for the truck’s arm to grip them
  • Place carts so the opening faces the street
  • Do not lean anything against carts or place anything in front of carts, including yard waste and bulk waste
  • Each week, residents may set out up to 20 bundles of brush/tree branches, 20 bags of yard waste, four (4) tires without rims, and three (3) bulk items (during bulk week) 
    • Larger, uncontained set-outs could result in fines
  • Please use off-street parking on collection day, if possible

The City collects up to three (3) bulk items per home, on that home’s regular collection day during the first full week of each month. Bulk/Bulky waste is:

  • Too large to fit in the trash cart
  • Not plant materials
  • Not hazardous (flammable/toxic/corrosive)

Examples of bulk/bulky waste include appliances drained of coolants and fluids, tables, chairs, dressers, mattresses, couches, and large boxes. To protect workers from bedbugs, lice, and other parasites, mattresses and cloth furniture must be wrapped in plastic when set out on the curbside for collection.

Residents may drop -off bulk/bulky waste, free of charge, four (4) times per year at the Ridge Road Transfer Station. Loads are limited to four (4) cubic yards per visit. The average full-size pickup truck bed filled to the top holds about two (2) cubic yards, while a truck bed filled to the height of the cab would be about four (4) cubic yards. Trailers used for dropping off waste may not be larger than 4 feet by 8 feet (4’X8’).

Tree branches must be tied in bundles no more than three (3) feet long and two (2) feet wide (3’X2’). Grass clippings and other plant debris must be bagged. There is a limit of 20 bundles and up to 20 bags of yard waste per week.

Discarded wired or battery-powered equipment like TVs, copiers, computers, games, and cell phones contain lead, mercury, other compounds that can pollute soil and water.

The City accepts computers and cell phones at the Carr Center (5600 Carnegie Ave.) drop-off location. Visit www.CuyahogaRecycles.org to find other places to recycle e-waste.

Oil, cleaners, solvents, pesticides, and other household chemicals can be flammable, toxic, or corrosive. The Division of Waste accepts household hazardous wastes like these on the first Friday of the month, at two (2) locations: Carr Center (5600 Carnegie Ave.) and the Ridge Road Transfer Station (3727 Ridge Road).

Latex paint is not hazardous. However, it requires special handling before it can be put in the trash. Paint must be completely dried out before disposal, either naturally, by leaving the container open to “air dry,” or by mixing with an absorbent like kitty litter.

The Division of Waste does not collect, for trash or recycling, any waste resulting from the construction, renovation, or demolition of a building. This includes concrete, wood, brick, dirt, drywall, shingles, siding, toilets, and sinks. Residents should contact a private waste hauler or reach out to the City about renting a dumpster.

Dumpster services are available to City of Cleveland residents for neighborhood events, home renovations, residential needs, and ongoing services for multi-unit rental properties. To get available sizes and current fees, or to request a dumpster, call 216.664.2162.

The Division of Waste removes dead animals from public areas and tree lawns (not private yards). To report a dead animal, call 3-1-1 (216.664.3711).

Report Illegal Dumping

Call 216.664.DUMP (3867) to report illegal dumping. If a resident witnesses an illegal dumping in process, they can call the Cleveland Police non-emergency line at 216.621.1234. If a conviction occurs, the witness is eligible to receive 50 percent of the collected fees.

Recycling Program

To participate in the Curbside Recycling Program, residents must opt-in to receive curbside recycling services. To enroll, complete the online form or call 216.664.3030.

Recycle Cleveland Recycling Program Online Enrollment Form

View Full list of Acceptable Materials

 

Who’s Eligible to Participate:

All City of Cleveland residents and homeowners who live in a single-family household or a multi-family building up to four (4) units, serviced by the City of Cleveland Division of Waste are eligible to participate in the curbside recycling program.

Other Recycling Options:

Drop off recycling containers are available for City of Cleveland residents at two locations: 

  • East Side - 5600 Carnegie Avenue (Monday-Friday, 9 am-3 pm)
  • West Side- 3727 Ridge Road (Monday-Friday, 9 am-3 pm)

 

Food Scrap Composting Drop-Off Program

Cleveland residents can now participate in a drop-off composting service for just $12/month. PLUS, free memberships are available for up to 250 SNAP households! Complete this survey to figure out if your household is SNAP Eligible.

Composting Paid Enrollment

SNAP Eligible Enrollment (Limited)

What Can I Compost?

Program Flyer


Pictures of acceptable and unacceptable food items

       
This initiative is a partnership with the City of Cleveland Mayor's Office of Sustainability, Rust Belt Riders, Rid-All Green Partnership, Ohio Means Jobs, Cuyahoga County Solid Waste District, and grant funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

For more information, call 216-800-4651 ext. 2 or email info@rustbeltriders.com.

Drop Off Locations

Downtown - RBR Headquarter

two composting drop-off bins