Dearborn, MI Trash & Recycling: Yard Waste Collection (2026)
Key Facts
- Container size
- 32-gallon, city sticker required
- Alternative
- Approved paper compost bags
- Yard waste defined
- Leaves, cut grass, organic debris
- Bulk items
- Up to 5 per week curbside
- Noncompliant containers
- Collected and disposed as refuse
Summary
Dearborn residents must set yard waste at the curb in 32-gallon containers bearing a city sticker, or in approved paper compost bags.
Yard waste will be collected as part of the curbside service of waste removal. Yard waste shall be placed in 32-gallon waste containers provided and maintained by the owner, occupant, tenant or lessee, or placed in approved paper compost bags. Individuals placing yard waste in 32-gallon containers shall place the city "yard waste" sticker on the container. Separate and apart from the refuse cart program, it is the intent of the city to continue curbside service of bulk waste removal. As part of this service, every owner, occupant, tenant or lessee using any building, house or structure may place up to five bulk items (e.g. chair, refrigerator) per week at the curbside for removal.
(2) Domestic refuse carts. Each owner, occupant, tenant or lessee receiving domestic refuse collection service shall utilize the 96-gallon or 64- gallon refuse cart provided by the city. Disposable paper or plastic bags containing refuse placed outside of the carts provided by the city will not be picked up. Occasionally, if necessary, each owner, occupant, tenant or lessee may put additional bagged trash into a covered 32-gallon container for pick-up. Each owner who puts out an additional container more than once for any two of three months will be required to lease an additional 96-gallon refuse cart at cost. No additional collection charge will apply to the additional refuse cart.
(3) Domestic recycle carts. Recyclable materials, other than yard
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-07: Code: Updated through: July 22, 2026 | Zoning: Updated through: July 22, 2026).
Full Breakdown
Dearborn Code of Ordinances § 16-5(1) requires yard waste, fallen leaves, cut grass, and other compostable organic debris, to go out for curbside collection in a 32-gallon container maintained by the owner, occupant, tenant, or lessee, or in an approved paper compost bag. Containers used for yard waste must carry the city's 'yard waste' sticker. This runs alongside the standard 96- or 64-gallon refuse cart program; separately, residents can also set out up to five bulk items curbside per week under the same section. Containers that don't meet these specifications can be collected and disposed of as ordinary refuse by the department of public works.
Violations & Fines
Yard waste set out without the required sticker or in a non-conforming container can be claimed as refuse and collected as ordinary trash under § 16-5(1), enforced by the director of public works under § 16-2.
Frequently Asked Questions
What container does Dearborn require for yard waste?
What counts as yard waste in Dearborn?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Dearborn
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Yard Waste Collection in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Wayne County handle yard waste collection.