Recycling Information

The City of Detroit is collecting recycling materials placed in the designated container at the curb every other week. The recycling program is voluntary, and residents must sign up. The program is open to ALL residents residing in a single family home or in a house with up to 4 units, including those who did not previously recycle.

If you're not recycling, now is a great time to join thousands of Detroiters who are protecting the environment and creating less pollution by recycling.

Learn how to get your recycling Cart delivered to your house

Click here to play the educational recycling game and sign up to get a FREE recycling cart

OR

You can learn more about Detroit's curbside recycling program and receive a FREE recycling cart by attending a curbside recycling workshop with Zero Waste Detroit or Green Living Science.

To schedule or attend a recycling workshop near you, call Zero Waste Detroit at (313) 986-2990 or Green Living Science at (313) 871-4000, ext. 3.

OR

Pay a one-time fee of $25 to get a recycling cart from your waste hauler:

If you live on the east side or in southwest Detroit, GFL Environmental USA, Inc. is your waste hauler. Order your cart online at http://gflusa.com/residential/detroit/ or contact GFL Customer Care at (844) GO.GFLUSA (844) 464-3587.
If you live on the west side, Advanced Disposal is your waste hauler. Sign up for a cart online at www.AdvancedDisposal.com/DetroitResidential or call (844) 2-DETROIT (233-8764).

Paper (newspaper, envelopes, etc)
Plastic (water bottles, milk jugs, etc) *not plastic bags*
Cardboard (Cereal boxes, toilet and paper towel rolls, etc)
Metal (Soup cans, clean tin foil, etc)
Glass (wine bottles, pasta sauce jars, etc)

Plastic Bags
Light Bulbs
Batteries
Styrofoam
Electronics
Cartons
Cooking Grease

Recycle Here!

Unacceptable Items:

Paper milk and juice cartons
Plastic bags
Styrofoam containers and styrofoam packaging
Juice boxes
Garbage
Propane tanks
Paint cans
Medical waste
Flammable liquids
Household cleaners
Chemicals (dry or liquid)
Wood items
Yard waste: wood or trash
Batteries or light bulbs

It is important to set out your cart no later than 7 AM, as it ensures your cart will be ready for collection when the driver arrives. Carts may be set out as early as the night prior to your collection day and should be returned to your property within a day after collection.

Curbside recycling is picked up every other week. View the Services Map (https://detroitmi.gov/DPW) to determine your recycling collection schedule and to sign up for free text message reminders.

Household hazardous waste can be brought to: Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Receiving Facility
2000 E. Ferry Street (near the I-75 and I-94 freeways)
Every Thursday from 7:30 am – 2:00 pm
Every Fourth Saturday of the Month from 8:00 am – 2:00 pm
This facility is open to Detroit residents ONLY! There is no charge!

Acceptable Items (Home Toxics/Electronics):

Paint & Paint Products
Aerosol Cans
Pesticides/Herbicides
Batteries – Alkaline, Auto
Fluorescent Tubes
Propane Cylinders
Mercury
Corrosives – Acids, Bases
Medical Sharps
Medicine - OTC
Furniture Polish
Floor Care Products
Gasoline
Lighter Fluid
Kerosene
Oil
Antifreeze
Fuel
Pool Chemicals
Oxidizers
Fire Extinguishers
Smoke Detectors
Computer Monitors
Keyboards
Microwave
Mouse
Computer Terminals
Laptop Computers
Printers
Fax Machines
Scanners
Cable Boxes
Cell Phones
Typewriters
Televisions
DVDs/VCRs
Gaming Units

Unacceptable Items:

No Commercial waste
Air Conditioning Units
Ammunition or Explosives
Appliances
Construction Materials
Construction Debris
Controlled Substances
No Lab Chemicals
Miscellaneous Car Parts
Non-Standard Gases
Radioactive Material
Shock-Sensitive Materials
Standard Household Trash
Yard Waste
Unknown/Unidentified Gases

Pharmaceuticals and Sharps

The disposal of unwanted or expired pharmaceuticals down a drain or toilet is damaging to the environment. Research has found that small amounts of pharmaceutical drugs collect in streams, lakes and rivers by entering through wastewater treatment plants that treat residential, commercial, and industrial wastewater. The majority of these pharmaceuticals enter the sewer system through disposal of unused or expired medications down the toilet or drain. Increased amounts of pharmaceuticals in surface water bodies have been shown to increase bacterial resistance to antibiotics.

Empty all pills, caplets, etc. into a zip lock bag prior to placement in the container.
Take empty pill containers away for disposal in a home recycling bin.
Remove any and all personal information from container prior to placing it in the recycling bin.
Please only deposit needles, lancets, and similar items.

Please make sure these items are deposited in a rigid, sealed container. (HARD PLASTIC – e.g. laundry detergent containers).
For more info, you can call
Household Hazardous Waste
(313) 923-2240

Bring them to Recycle Here!
http://www.recyclehere.net

Styrofoam
Aseptic (cartons)
Batteries
Plastic bags
Ink cartridges
Light bulbs
Cooking grease
Computers and electronics (City of Detroit Residents Only!)

Recycle Here! does not accept electronics from non-detroit residents or businesses.
Please check with your local municipal government office for collection options or contact: GEEP Michigan at 1-877-GEEP-4-YU (1-877-433-7498).

How to get a recycling cart (3 options):

Option 1: Request your recycling cart from your contractor ($25)

Option 2: Get a free recycling container by attending workshop

Option 3: Get a free recycling container by playing the Online Recycling Challenge Educational Game

Recycling FAQ