Carts and Cart Placement | City of Ann Arbor

Putting out carts

Out before 7 a.m. for residential pickup and brought in by noon the following day. Carts in DDA area must out before 4 a.m.
Placed on lawn extenstion or against curb, unless street has a bike lane.
Handles must face away from the street.
Carts must be 3 feet apart, lids fully closed and without any trash or debris on or around them.
In winter, keep carts/dumpsters free of snow or ice, unburied from snow banks and accessible to collection trucks.
Never place carts on snow banks, instead shovel out a spot on the road or lawn extension so the cart can sit level.
Must not exceed 224 pounds (64-gallon) or 336 pounds (96-gallon). Carts over the limit will not be serviced.

For bike lanes (see images below for examples):

Carts shouldn't be in the path of bikes (or vehicles).
With a protected bike lane, carts go between bollards, in the strip of paint or the elevated section separating the street from the bike lane.

Each situation may vary. If you are unsure where to place your carts, please contact us by phone or email.

How might your cart and a bike lane look

Photo of bike lane with no buffer; carts go at curb.

Photo of one-way bike lane with large buffer; carts go in buffer.

Photo of two-way bike lane with large buffer; carts go in buffer.

Photo of two-way bike lane with raised buffer; carts go on buffer.

Photo of bike lane between parking lane and buffer; carts go in buffer.

Photo of bike lane inside parking lane; carts go in marked areas of parking lane.

Cart Placement Animation

Bike Lane Cart Placement Animation

The City of Ann Arbor provides weekly curbside collection of trash, recycle, and compost carts to all single-family and duplex residential locations. The first 64-gallon trash, recycle, and compost cart is free to new customers, new construction or newly annexed properties.

Additional Service Fees

All fees are added to your quarterly water bill.

Trash Carts

Annual $48 fee to upgrade trash cart to 96 gallon.
Annual $244 fee for each additional trash cart at the same address.

Compost Carts

One-time $61 fee for each additional compost cart at the same address.

All Carts

$63 fee for pick-up or delivery of additional carts, return of unwanted carts, or cart exchanges.
$29 to power wash all returned carts.
$63 to return to service each cart not set out on time.

Requesting a Cart

To request a cart and arrange for pickup or delivery, please contact City Customer Service at 734.994.7336 or CustomerService@a2gov.org.

The City of Ann Arbor contracts with Waste Management (WM) and Recycle Ann Arbor to bring onsite trash and recycle collection services to all multi-family properties.

Trash

Multi-family property trash carts are serviced by Waste Management (WM) or the City of Ann Arbor, depending on your location. WM provides service to trash carts located within the Downtown Development District, and the City of Ann Arbor provides service to those located outside of downtown.

To begin services with WM, please contact WM Customer Experience at 866.797.9018, CustomerServiceCM_GLA@wm.com, or set up a My WM account. When calling, make sure to ask for the Great Lakes Public Sector team.

To begin services with the City, please contact Customer Service at 734.794.6000 or CustomerService@a2gov.org.

96-gallon trash carts are provided at a pro-rated level based on number of residential units.
Annual $244 fee for each additional trash cart.
Locations with 10 plus units are required to use trash dumpsters.

For more information on service fees, dumpsters, and special services, visit our Commercial Trash Services webpage.

Recycle

All multi-family properties are required to participate in the city's recycling program, as outlined in the City of Ann Arbor's Code of Ordinances, Ch. 26, Sec. 2:5. Properties are provided with free recycling and collection services through the City of Ann Arbor and Recycle Ann Arbor.

Outdoor container and collection are provided at no additional charge
96-gallon recycle carts are provided based on number of residential units
Locations with 10+ units are required to use recycling dumpsters.

To request carts or service, please contact City Customer Service at 734.794.6000 or CustomerService@a2gov.org.

For more information on dumpsters, accepted materials, and recycling assistance, visit our Recycle webpage.

Compost

Curbside compost collection is not currently offered to multi-family properties, but residents are welcome to utilize the city's drop-off option. For more information, please visit our Compost webpage.

The City of Ann Arbor contracts with Waste Management (WM), Recycle Ann Arbor, and My Green Michigan to bring trash, recycle, and food scrap collection services to commercial properties.

Trash

Commercial property trash carts are serviced by Waste Management (WM) or the City of Ann Arbor, depending on your location. WM provides service to trash carts located within the Downtown Development Area, and the City of Ann Arbor provides service to those located outside of downtown.

To begin services with WM, please contact WM Customer Experience at 866.797.9018, CustomerServiceCM_GLA@wm.com, or set up a My WM account. When calling, make sure to ask for the Great Lakes Public Sector team.

To begin services with the City, please contact Customer Service at 734.794.6000 or CustomerService@a2gov.org.

For more information on service fees, dumpsters, and special services, visit our Commercial Trash Services webpage.

Recycle

All commercial properties are required to participate in the city's recycling program, as outlined in the City of Ann Arbor's Code of Ordinances, Ch. 26, Sec. 2:5. Recycle carts are serviced by the City of Ann Arbor or Recycle Ann Arbor, depending on your location. The City provides service to trash carts located within the Downtown Development Area, and Recycle Ann Arbor provides service to those located outside of downtown. Outdoor containers and collection are also provided at no additional charge.

To begin recycle services or request carts, please contact City Customer Service at 734.794.6000 or CustomerService@a2gov.org.

For more information on accepted materials and recycling assistance, visit our Recycle webpage.

Food Scraps

All commercial properties that generate food scraps are encouraged to sign up for compost collection services through My Green Michigan.

To begin services with My Green Michigan, please complete this form.

For more information on service fees and accepted materials, visit our Commercial Compost Collection for Food Scraps webpage.

Side door or porch set-out service is provided by the city or its authorized contractor to residents who are physically unable to place their trash or recycling containers at the curb and are unable to make other arrangements to do so. Special pickup service is subject to approval by the city following an on-site interview and must be renewed every two years. To arrange an interview, call the city's Customer Service Center Monday-Friday 7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. at 734.994.7336.