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1. Who is eligible for a recycling cart?

All residents eligible for refuse collection received new recycling carts in fall 2015; this includes rental homes and multiple-family dwellings (apartments) with up to 20 units. If a resident were to move, the cart would remain at the home.

2. What is single-stream curbside recycling?

Single-stream curbside recycling means that residents do not need to be separate or bag recycling items.

3. How should my recycling cart be set out at the curb?

Carts should be placed at the curb with the opening facing the street and the lid completely closed. The recycling cart should have approximately 3 feet of clearance on all sides (away from mailboxes, bushes and refuse carts). The refuse carts should have 3 feet of clearance as well. Here is a graphic illustrating the 3 feet of clearance. Recycling and refuse carts should be placed at the curb by no earlier than 8 p.m. the day before collection and no later than 7:30 a.m. on the day of collection.

When placing a Simple Recycling bag at the curb, the clearance rule does not apply. The bags can be placed right next to your new recycling cart. Please refrain from placing the bags on top of the recycling cart.

4. How should my recycling cart be stored?

The recycling carts can be stored in an enclosed structure (i.e. garage or shed) or inside of a residence; or can also be placed to the rear or side of a residence, garage or shed. The cart should be placed as close to the structure as possible and, if placed to the side, it should be place back at least one-half the distance of the length of the structure. View the East Lansing City Code for more information.

*It should be noted that some condominium and neighborhood associations may have additional regulations.

5. What should I do with my old recycling bin?

Residents can keep their old recycling bins for their own personal use (i.e. storage) or they can drop it off at the East Lansing Department of Public Works, 1800 E. State Road, for recycling. If there is room, bins can also be placed inside the new recycling carts for collection on a residents' normal collection day.

6. Can I use my old blue recycling bin for overflow recyclables at the curb?

The City is not able to accommodate the collection of overflow recyclables in the old recycling bins now that the cart system is in place. All recyclable items will need to be placed inside the cart for collection at the curb. In the event of overflow items, the City does offer a year-round drop-off recycling site at 1800 E. State Road.

7. What happens if I need to replace my cart?

The carts were initially provided at no cost to residents in fall 2015 and came with a 10-year warranty. After 10 years, if a replacement cart is needed due to wear and tear, it will cost $55 for a 96-gallon cart, $50 for a 64-gallon cart and $45 for a 32-gallon cart. The replacement carts will also come with a 10-year warranty. It's important to note that if a qualifying resident requested a smaller cart in fall 2015 and decide at a later date that the larger cart size is needed, the 96-gallon cart will cost the resident $50.

8. I still have questions, who can I contact?

If you still have questions about the City's curbside recycling program, please contact the East Lansing Department of Public Works at (517) 337-9459.