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2024 Recycling & Solid Waste Guide
For more information download the guide opens in a new windowhere.
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2023 Yard Waste Guide
For more information download the guide opens in a new windowhere.
Information About Recycling Carts
For more information download the flyer opens in a new windowhere or visit: www.RecyclingSimplified.com
Expanded Hours at Service Center Dumpsters
The Service Center Dumpsters are located at the Middleburg Heights Service Center, 7375 Engle Road, and are available for residents only on Wednesdays and Fridays from 8:00 am until 3:00 pm. Please have proper identification available upon request.
Starting Saturday, April 20, 2024 the Service Center Dumpsters will be open the first and third Saturday of each month through October 2024 from 8:00 am to 12:00 pm (noon). The following are the scheduled Saturday dates: April 20th, May 4th and 18th, June 1st and 15th, July 6th and 20th, August 3rd and 17th, September 7th and 21st, October 5th and 19th.
Trash
Solid Waste Collection
Household rubbish collection is handled by a private company that contracts with the city to provide services on a weekly basis. All household rubbish is picked up once per week on Monday.
Household rubbish should be set out for curbside collection no later than 6 a.m. Monday morning. It can also be set out after 6 p.m. Sunday evening.
Food waste must be drained and placed in a plastic bag. Sharp items, broken glass, syringes, etc., should be placed in a separate container before placing in a bag or can.
Required Containers
- Plastic bags placed at the curb must be securely tied and not to exceed 40 lbs.
- Trash containers must be made of plastic or metal
- Containers size – minimum of 20 gallon to maximum 35 gallon
- All containers must have lids and lift handles
- Maximum weight of container and contents not to exceed 50 lbs.
- Cardboard boxes should be broken down and stacked next to containers
- Most non-hazardous household rubbish, including furniture, television sets, mattresses and appliances can be placed on the curb for pickup
Holidays
Monday Collections are not made on the holidays listed below if they fall or are observed on a Monday.
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Refrigerant/Freon Removal
Refrigerators, air-conditioners, dehumidifiers, etc. require special treatment mandated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). A certified contractor must remove the refrigerant and the appliance must be tagged to indicate this removal before these items can be placed on the curb for removal. Remember to remove refrigerator and freezer doors.
Latex Paint
Latex paint can be included with regular household waste for curbside pick up. Leftover paint should be allowed to dry out in the can, or be thoroughly mixed with cat litter or sand before being placed in the trash in opened cans. Full containers of latex paint can be donated to charities that accept these products.
Weight Limits
Household rubbish for curbside pickup should be placed within five feet of the curb in 20- to 35-gallon rubbish containers, or in plastic bags, not exceeding 50 pounds each in weight. Please refrain from putting broken glass, syringes or sharp objects loosely into plastic bags.
Hedge cuttings, limbs and branches should be securely tied, and not exceed four feet in length and 45 pounds in weight.
Excluded Items
Building materials resulting from construction, remodeling, repair or demolition operations and large automotive parts generated by a residential unit are excluded from curbside pickup. Waste generated by commercial contractors is also excluded.
Heavy & Bulk Refuse Items
These items will be collected if placed properly for pickup:
- Household applicances, funiture, etc.
- Carpeting — rolled and tied in 4 foot sections, separated from padding
- Tables and swing sets, etc. — dismantled
- Refrigerators, freezers — DOORS REMOVED — FREON REMOVED
Recycling
The Five Ways To Recycle Right
Done Correctly, Recycling is an Easy Way to Make a Difference in Preserving the Planet
Want to do your part in preserving the earth for generations to come? Not sure how to participate? Recycling is a simple and easy way to make a difference in saving the planet for a brighter today and tomorrow.
5 ways to recycle right:
- Leave recyclables loose – not bagged. Plastic bags do not belong in your recycling bin or cart. Plastic bags get tangled in the sorting machines at the recycling facilities and cause major problems for the recycling process. Plastic shopping bags can be recycled at many retail locations, including Giant Eagle, Lowe’s Home Improvement, Marc’s, Target and Walmart stores.
- Make sure it’s clean and empty. Rinse residue from cartons, containers, bottles and jars or any other recyclable that may contain food particles. For example, greasy pizza boxes are not accepted.
- Keep it dry. When it comes to paper and cardboard, keeping it dry is imperative for the recycling process. Please flatten all cardboard boxes as well.
- Don’t wishcycle. Think you can throw everything into your recycling bin and it will get sorted out at the recycling plant? Think again. Recycling only these five core items is paramount: cans, cartons, glass, paper and plastic along with plastic bottles and jugs.
- Join a social media community. Share a post. Do a story. Get engaged with the social media accounts in your community. You’ll find Cuyahoga County’s accounts located on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn.
Once you’ve got the hang of recycling, you can also learn about various other eco-friendly topics from composting to zero-waste lifestyles. There’s seemingly no end to the ways we can reduce, reuse and recycle for a cleaner and greener today and tomorrow.
About the Cuyahoga County Solid Waste District
The Cuyahoga County Solid Waste District is the public agency helping the people of Cuyahoga County reduce, reuse and recycle at home, at work and in their communities. We serve as the leading resource in the County for information, expertise and programs that support sustainable materials management and reduce the environmental impact of waste.
Visit opens in a new windowwww.CuyahogaRecycles.org or call 216.443.3749 to learn how to recycle in your community and discover other recycling and disposal options.
Click opens in a new windowhere for more information on plastics.
Click opens in a new windowhere to learn about Recycling Simplified.
Recyclable Items
Glass
Recycle all glass beverage bottles and jars. Please rinse containers and remove lids and neck rings. Paper labels don't need to be removed. Do not include used pesticide or herbicide containers, window glass, light bulbs, mirrors or ceramics — place them with rubbish.Plastic
For more information on plastics, click opens in a new windowhere. Aluminum Steel & Cans
Recycle rinsed aluminum and steel cans. Remove paper from cans and place them in blue recycling bags along with plastic and glass curbside. Aluminum cans may also be taken to our recycling bin, located behind our Fire Station on Bagley Road. You may recycle cans 24/7, 365 days a year. Proceeds are donated to the Metro Burn Unit.Newspapers
To make your recycling efforts easier, you may place all newspapers in the blue recycling bin (as well as other items, including – but is not limited to – magazines, color and glossy prints, and junk mail).Paper Containers
We have contracted with River Valley Paper Company to place special green and yellow containers at eight locations for recycling all kinds of paper products including newspapers, magazines, catalogs, junk mail, school and office paper, envelopes, shredded paper, self-stick notes, softbound books, computer and fax paper, poster paper, folders and colored construction paper. Color and glossy prints are included. Please visit opens in a new windowwww.rivervalleypaper.com/ for further information. The River Valley Paper Company containers are located at:- City Service Center, 7375 Engle Road
- Polaris Career Center, 7285 Old Oak Blvd.
- Distributech, 6930 Engle Road
- Big Creek Elementary School, 7247 Big Creek Parkway
- St. Bartholomew Church/School, 14865 Bagley Road
- Pleasant Hills United Methodist Church, 13200 E. Bagley Rd.
- Midpark High School PTA, 7000 Paula Drive
- Bethel Lutheran Church, 7171 Pearl Road
- Church Of Christ, 7165 Big Creek Parkway
- Minuteman Press, 6886 Pearl Road
- PIP Printing & Marketing Services, 7007 Engle Road
- UPS Supply Chain Solutions, 6940 Engle Road
Cardboard
The City of Middleburg Heights Service Department has established a program for cardboard recycling. The container for cardboard is located at the Service Center at 7375 Engle Road for your convenience. The container is located near the River Valley Paper Company containers next to the dumpsters.Computers
Household computer equipment such as CPU's, monitors, keyboards, mice, printers, terminals, modems, software and other peripheral devices and accessories may be taken to our City Service Center at 7375 Engle Road, on any Friday, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., throughout the year. For more information, please visit www.cuyahogarecycles.org/. Businesses may also take their computer equipment, any day throughout the year, to RET3 Job Corp., 1814 E. 40th St., Cleveland, OH 44114. Call (216) 361-9991. Televisions and other electronics are not accepted.Household Hazardous Waste
Hazardous household waste is not allowed for curbside pickup. See list below for details:Household materials accepted
- Oil or solvent-based paint, sealers, primers, or coatings (aerosols or liquids)
- Varnishes, polyurethanes, shellacs
- Paint thinner, mineral spirits, turpentine
- Pesticides, herbicides, fungicides
- Caustic household cleaners
- Pool chemicals
- Automotive fluids, motor oil, car batteries
- Adhesives, roof tar, driveway sealer
- Kerosene, gasoline, lighter fluid
- Mercury
Materials NOT accepted
- Latex paint
- Explosives, gun powder, ammunition, flares
- Medical waste, pharmaceuticals, medicine, sharps (needles)
- Radioactive waste (i.e. smoke detectors)
- Tires
- Electronics, appliances
Car Tires and Batteries
Car and truck tires and tires from other vehicles, are not permitted in curbside pick up. Call a tire dealer or service station to dispose of these items properly. Motor vehicle batteries cannot be accepted for curbside pickup. They should be recycled with battery dealers or service stations.Propane Tanks
Propane tanks present a fire and explosion hazard and are not acceptable for curbside pickup. These tanks are to be recycled through propane dealers and retail stores that sell propane, such as Lowe's and The Home Depot.Mercury
Mercury is a health hazard that is not acceptable for curbside pick up. For free disposal of mercury, please call the Cuyahoga County Solid Waste District at (216) 443-3749 for drop-off locations.Rechargeable Batteries
Rechargeable batteries contain hazardous materials and should not be included with household waste. These batteries can be recycled by the store from which they were purchased. For further information about recycling, go to opens in a new windowhttps://cuyahogarecycles.org/recyclables/batteries.CURBSIDE RECYCLING IN MIDDLEBURG HEIGHTS
The City of Middleburg Heights offers weekly curbside recycling for city residents. Combine cans, cartons, glass, paper and boxes plus plastic bottles and jugs loose (unbagged) in the provided 18-gallon bin or in blue recycling bags. Blue bags can be purchased at many stores where trash bags are sold, or you may use blue grocery store bags. Place recycling on the curb next to your rubbish for pickup on your scheduled collection day. Although recyclable materials should be placed at the same time as rubbish, recyclables may be picked up at a different time on that day.The Do’s and Don’ts of Recycling
To help reduce recycling contamination, we want to make sure our residents are informed of the correct products that can or cannot be recycled.For plastics, residents should do the poke test — if you can poke your finger through the plastic, then it is too flimsy to recycle.
For aluminum, residents should empty and clean their material and follow instructions below:
Paper should always be separated from plastic, even if from the same packaging. Here are some rules for paper recycling:
Recycled cardboard should be a clean, unsoiled product:
For more information on how you can recycle responsibly, visit opens in a new windowRecyclingSimplified.com.
Empty or Outdated Propane Tanks and Fire Extinguishers
Propane Tanks
Propane tanks should NEVER be placed in your curbside recycling. We cannot accept them at our HHW Round-Up as well.
Blue Rhino locations offer a free recycling program for 20# grill tanks. If you have a gas grill propane tank that you no longer need and would like to recycle, write “RECYCLE” on the tank and take it to any Blue Rhino location. Blue Rhino will collect the tank and refurbish it if possible. If the tank does not meet the company's safety and quality standards, they will recycle the tank. Blue Rhino will accept any standard gas grill tank, including other brands. Find a location. 20# propane cylinders can also be exchanged for free at the store where you purchase your new tank. Check with your local retailer for details. Small propane or butane canisters for a camp stove, lantern or torch (usually 2# or less) are not refillable and can be recycled through a scrap metal yard. Make sure the canister is empty by attaching it to the device it is used with and allowing the gas to run until it's gone. Or use a tool to decompress the item. If there is no scrap metal recycling available, and all of the gas is released, the canister may be discarded in the trash. Refrigerant gas, welding tanks and medical cylinders should be disposed or recycled through the company it was purchased or received from. Local businesses that recycle tanks and other gas cylinders include AAA Gas Supply (216.228.4800) and Air Gas Great Lakes (216.241.1696). You may also be able to recycle empty tanks at a local scrap metal yard. If all recycling options have been exhausted, tanks from a household grill or stove can be disposed through the District's Household Hazardous Waste Disposal Program. Businesses must contract with a licensed environmental services company for proper disposal or recycling. See our Business Recycling Directory. Fire Extinguishers
Metal fire extinguishers can be refilled rather than thrown away when empty, unless it was manufactured before 1984. Extinguishers made of plastic are not recyclable and should be placed in the regular trash when empty.
Fire extinguishers consist of a hand-held cylindrical pressure-vessel, usually made of steel or aluminum, and an agent which can be discharged to extinguish a fire. There are two main types of fire extinguishers: stored pressure and cartridge-operated. Stored pressure fire extinguishers are the most common and typically contain a dry chemical as the agent. The dry chemical is typically mono ammonium sulfate, sodium bicarbonate or potassium bicarbonate—all of which are considered non-toxic. Very old fire extinguishers (pre-1960’s) may contain carbon tetrachloride, a known carcinogen. If you have a pre-1960's fire extinguisher that contains carbon tetrachloride, contact the Solid Waste District. How should you dispose of an old fire extinguisher?
If it’s not empty:
The casing is usually made out of steel or aluminum and can be recycled. Recyclers will not accept containers that are not empty so you must discharge all contents first. Discharge outside, away from children or pets. Eye protection and a mask are recommended when discharging.- Pull the pin on the extinguisher—this unlocks the operating lever.
- Squeeze the lever above the handle to discharge contents.
- Aim low and discharge contents into a bucket or another container.
If it’s empty:
- Squeeze the lever above the handle to ensure that all contents are discharged.
- Remove the head so that the recycler knows the container is empty.
- Recycle the steel body. Once the head is removed, the container can be taken to a scrap metal yard.
Autumn Leaf Collection
Leaves are considered a solid waste and should be either recycled or disposed of properly to provide safe clean streets and to prevent issues within the stormwater drainage system. Traffic will be affected during leaf collection. Be patient and help us keep our crews safe.
Leaf pick up will begin October 14, 2024 for Middleburg Heights residents.
- Please rake your leaves to the treelawn.
- Do not rake the leaves into the street.
- Do not include branches, sticks, rocks, metal, animal waste, etc.- “leaves only.”
- See complete list of DO’s and Don’ts below
Residents can expect to receive a pick up every seven to ten days. At least four city wide, full service pick ups will be made throughout the season, (more if necessary.)
Service Department crews will collect leaves from mid-October into December, weather permitting. Residents may expect at least 4 collections per year, with 7 to 10 days between collections. Additional collections may be added based on need and weather conditions. Leaf piles blocked by vehicles or other obstructions will be picked up as part of the next collection cycle, or after the obstruction has been removed.
For your assistance, please refer to the Fall Leaf Pick Up DOs and DON’Ts:
DO’s
DO Think SAFETY – children should NEVER play in leaves piled along the roadway – motorists and public service crews cannot see children hidden in leaves
DO be aware of work areas and reduce your speed when driving near leaf collection operations
DO place leaf piles on the tree lawn; behind the curb / edge of pavement without blocking the street or sidewalks
DO make sure leaf piles are close enough to the street for the collection equipment to reach them – generally, no more than 3 feet from curb
DO keep leaf piles away from any trees, bushes, mailboxes, decorations, street signs and / or fire hydrants
DO recycle on your property or bag your loose leaves whenever possible
DON’Ts
DO NOT rake or blow leaves onto streets or sidewalks – leaf piles on the streets or sidewalks are a dangerous public safety hazard to motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians
DO NOT mix sticks, trash, metal, heavy debris (concrete, bricks, blocks), or pet waste in leaf piles – other waste may damage our equipment, injure our crews / bystanders, and severely slow our progress
DO NOT block storm drains with leaf piles – this will block the drain and may cause flooding
DO NOT place holiday decorations within 10 feet of leaf piles
DO NOT park in front of leaf piles awaiting collection
DO NOT dump grass clipping in leaf piles
Household Hazardous Waste
2024 Household Hazardous Waste Round-Up Info
Drop-off Location:
Middleburg Heights Service Center
7375 Engle Road
Collection Date:
Spring
Friday, April 26, 2024
8 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Summer
Friday, August 16, 2024
8 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Fall
Friday, October 25, 2024
8 a.m. – 3 p.m.
NOTE: Items will only be accepted at the Service Garage during specified collection dates.
Materials Accepted:
Paint and Related Products (liquid and aerosol)
- Oil or Solvent based paint
- Sealers, primers, coatings, varnishes, polyurethane, shellacs
- Paint thinner, mineral spirits, turpentine, spray paint
Pesticides
- Pesticides (bug and rodent killers)
- Herbicides (weed killers)
- Insecticides (bug killers)
- Fungicides (mold killers)
Other Misc. Items
- Caustic household cleaners (oven cleaner, drain cleaner, muriatic acid, etc.)
- Automotive fluids, motor oil, car batteries
- Adhesives, roof tar, driveway sealer
- Kerosene, gasoline, lighter fluid
- Mercury
Materials Not Accepted:
- Latex paint
- Explosives, gun powder, ammunition, flares
- Medical waste, pharmaceuticals, medicine, sharps
- Radioactive waste (i.e. smoke detectors)
- Tires
- Electronics
- Appliances
Hazardous and Unwanted Items
Home Depot Nationwide CFL Recycling Program
Recycling compact fluorescent light bulbs is easy. Home Depot offers free CFL recycling at each of its 1,973 locations. Customers can drop off expired, unbroken bulbs at the returns counter of any Home Depot store. This is in response to customers' concerns about improper disposal of the bulbs, which contain small amounts of mercury.Medicine and the Environment
One of the most commonly recommended methods of disposing of unwanted medication has been flushing the medicine down the toilet or rinsing it down the drain. Your doctor or pharmacist may even tell you to do so.But when medicines are flushed or rinsed down the drain, they flow to your septic tank or to your local wastewater treatment plant where they can harm the beneficial bacteria that break down wastes.
Septic tanks and municipal treatment plants are not designed to remove these medicines, so they pass through the wastewater treatment plant unchanged. When the treated water is released into rivers and lakes, it can still contain these medicines.
Our local agencies are working to keep these medicines out of our wastewater, rivers and lakes.
Currently the safest option for disposing of unwanted medicine is to SECURELY PACKAGE THE MEDICATION AND PUT IT IN THE TRASH OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN AND ANIMALS.
However, simply throwing away medicine can be dangerous. Steps should should be taken to make it difficult for any person or animal to unintentionally ingest the discarded medicine.
If your pharmacy will not accept unwanted medications:
Keep the medication in its original packaging. The labels may contain necessary information and the caps are usually childproof.
Remove all personal information from the packaging. Use a marker to black out name and insurance information.
Make the medicine unusable. Crush or dissolve pills with a small amount of water. Absorb liquid medication with flour, table salt, or another non-toxic substance. Wrap blister packs in layers of strong tape. Place the package inside a non-transparent container. Any empty yogurt or margarine container works best.
Free Service To Reduce Your Unwanted Catalogs
Over eight million tons of trees are consumed each year in the production of paper catalogs. Now there's a free service that allows you to reduce the stream of unwanted catalogs flowing into your home: opens in a new windowwww.catalogchoice.orgAll you need is the customer number (printed near the name/address field on the back of the catalog.) This process is much simpler than telephoning requests to stop. The site also maintains a record of catalogs you've eliminated.
Shred Day
2024 Shred Day Info
Drop-off Location:
Middleburg Heights Service Center
7375 Engle Road
Collection Date:
Spring
Saturday, May 18, 2024
9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Summer
Saturday, July 20, 2024
9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Fall
Saturday, September 28, 2024
9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Middleburg Heights Shred Day
Regularly scheduled Shred days allow Middleburg Heights residents to shred their personal documents at the Middleburg Heights Service Center, located at 7375 Engle Road. A shredding truck from Shred Mobile and Recycling will be available for free, quick and easy destruction and disposal of documents from 9 a.m. to noon.Shred staff are available to handle the documents and shred while participants watch. Each household may bring material equivalent to the capacity of two standard size copy paper boxes. Documents shredded may be in plastic bags.
The City is pleased to offer this service to residents. Shredding personal paperwork is a way to counteract identity theft and protect private information.
The company's cross-cut shredding process creates a crisscross cut of paper no longer that 5/8" in size, which provides for greater security than conventional strip-cut shredders. Then the shredded material goes directly to the company's recycling facilities where it is baled and delivered to recycling mills.
For further information about the shredding event, call the Middleburg Heights Service Department at (440) 234-2216.