Trash & Recycling in Ann Arbor, MI (2026)
9 verified trash & recycling rules for Ann Arbor, Michigan, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Pickup Rules & Schedules
Ann Arbor's Chapter 26 requires the city, its contracted haulers, or franchise haulers to collect refuse from every residential and commercial customer at least once a week.
Ann Arbor Weekly Trash Pickup Rule
Some RestrictionsAnn Arbor City Code § 2:2(2)(a) (Chapter 26 — Solid Waste Management)
Residential customers. Refuse shall be collected at least once a week. The city may set different collection intervals for compostables and recyclables in the solid waste regulations.
Bin Placement Rules
Ann Arbor requires commercial and residential customers to store solid waste in approved containers at locations set by regulation, with the city approving pads and screening improvements.
Ann Arbor Trash Container Storage Rules
Some RestrictionsAnn Arbor City Code § 2:2(6)
Commercial customers and residential customers must store all solid waste in approved solid waste containers.b.Solid waste containers, including curb carts and dumpsters, must be stored in the locations set forth in the solid waste regulations.c.Commercial customers must be equipped with sufficient capacity solid waste containers to contain the solid waste generated by the customer until time o...
Bulk Item Disposal
Ann Arbor's solid waste haulers will not curbside-collect bulky items like furniture, mattresses, and appliances: residents must arrange private removal under City Code Chapter 26.
Ann Arbor Bulk Item Disposal Rule
Some RestrictionsAnn Arbor City Code § 2:4(1) (Chapter 26 — Solid Waste Management)
Bulk items that do not fit inside curb carts, such as furniture, mattresses, appliances and oversized or overweight building materials. Customers must make their own arrangements with the private sector for the proper removal and disposal of bulk items.(2)Liquid waste.(3)Hot ashes or other heated materials.(4)Dead animals, animal waste or human waste except in the manner required by the solid w...
Recycling Requirements
Ann Arbor requires every customer to separate recyclables from refuse and compostables and store them in approved curb carts or dumpsters under Chapter 26 of the City Code.
Ann Arbor Mandatory Recycling Separation Rule
Some RestrictionsAnn Arbor City Code § 2:2(4)(b)(ii) (Chapter 26 — Solid Waste Management)
Recyclables containers. Recyclables shall be separated from compostables and refuse, and shall be stored in approved solid waste containers in accordance with the solid waste regulations.
Mandatory Organics Recycling
Ann Arbor enrolls every eligible customer in city compost collection by default: opting out requires an approved, annually renewed exemption under City Code Chapter 26.
Ann Arbor Mandatory Compost Service Rule
Significant RestrictionsAnn Arbor City Code § 2:7(2)(a) (Chapter 26 — Solid Waste Management)
If the city provides a compost service, any customer may request that they be exempted from use of the city provided compost service. The request shall be submitted to the City Administrator or designee, and specify the circumstances that necessitate such exemption status, which may include but are not limited to a specialized service that cannot be provided by the city service.
Valet Trash Rules
Ann Arbor's solid waste code exempts valet trash services moving waste within a single property or development to a shared container from the city's hauler licensing requirement.
Ann Arbor Valet Trash Hauler Exemption
Few RestrictionsAnn Arbor City Code § 2:1(26)
Solid waste hauler means any person or entity who engages in the business of collection, transportation, or disposal of solid waste from any customer within the city and across public streets or rights-of-way. It does not include valet solid waste removal and transport from customers located within a single property or development to a container located within that same property or development....
Illegal Dumping
Ann Arbor prohibits storing or leaving solid waste or containers anywhere but permitted locations, including the public right-of-way, under City Code Chapter 26: with escalating fines for repeat violations.
Ann Arbor Bans Illegal Solid Waste Dumping
Significant RestrictionsAnn Arbor City Code § 2:10(1) (Chapter 26 — Solid Waste Management)
No person shall store solid waste or solid waste containers on property except at locations as permitted by this chapter or the solid waste regulations. No person shall permit solid waste or solid waste containers to remain on or in the right-of-way adjacent to the property in violation of this section.
Yard Waste Collection
Ann Arbor's solid waste code defines yard waste as compostable leaves, brush, and tree limbs up to 6 inches thick and 4 feet long, collected curbside with recyclables and refuse.
Ann Arbor Yard Waste & Brush Limits
Some RestrictionsAnn Arbor City Code § 2:1(4)
Compostables means leaves, brush, tree limbs up to 6 inches in diameter and 4 feet in length, vegetative prunings, and other garden or yard waste, and other organic material as may be specified in the solid waste regulations.
Collection Schedule
Ann Arbor collects residential refuse at least once a week through its exclusive city, contracted, or franchise haulers, with recycling and compost intervals set separately by regulation.
Ann Arbor Residential Trash Collection Schedule
Some RestrictionsAnn Arbor City Code § 2:2(2)a
Residential customers. Refuse shall be collected at least once a week. The city may set different collection intervals for compostables and recyclables in the solid waste regulations.