EAST LANSING, Mich. — The East Lansing Department of Public Works (DPW) will, once again, be offering extra recycling days, no-fee holiday refuse collection and Christmas tree recycling to residents this holiday season.
Extra Recycling Days
East Lansing residents are encouraged to take advantage of extra, free, City-wide curbside recycling days on the following Mondays: Dec. 16, Dec. 23 and Dec. 30. These collection days are being offered in addition to residents’ normal curbside recycling days. Residents can fill their carts with clean, accepted items and place them at the curb for collection. All items need to be placed inside the cart with lids closed. For a full list of accepted items, visit www.cityofeastlansing.com/recycle.
Community members are reminded that polystyrene (commonly referred to as Styrofoam) is not accepted as part of the City’s curbside recycling program, but that it can be dropped off at the East Lansing DPW recycling drop-off site, 1800 E. State Road, which is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The drop-off site is also a great place for recycling oversized cardboard boxes that won’t fit easily inside recycling carts.
No-Fee Holiday Refuse Collection
For items that can’t be recycled, the City will be offering no-fee holiday refuse collection Dec. 17-Jan. 3. During this time, residents can dispose of extra refuse without the use of a yellow City trash bag. Refuse will be collected on residents’ normal collection day only, except where changes are necessary due to holidays: www.cityofeastlansing.com/holidaycollections. Yard waste and bulk items are not included, and all bags must weigh no more than 40 pounds.
Christmas Tree Recycling
The City will once again collect live-cut Christmas trees this winter. The trees will be chipped and used as mulch in East Lansing parks or donated to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources for use as rabbit habitats. Trees can be placed curbside for collection anytime between Friday, Dec. 27 and Monday, Jan. 13. Advance phone requests and stickers are not required. Drop-off sites will be available through Jan. 13 at the following locations:
- Patriarche Park – parking lot on Alton Road
- Emerson Park – Arbor Drive entrance
- Henry Fine Park – parking lot at Winchester Drive
- Valley Court Park – south of the Valley Court Community Center
- Albert A. White Memorial Park – parking lot at Pebblebrook Lane
All bags, holiday decorations and tree stands should be removed and trees taller than 6 feet should be cut in half.
Simple Recycling
Community members looking to make room for new items in their home this holiday season are reminded about the Simple Recycling program. Residents can place clothing, textiles and a variety of household items in Simple Recycling bags and place them at the curb for collection on their regular curbside recycling day. Learn more: https://simplerecycling.com/.
Residents can call the East Lansing Department of Public Works at (517) 337-9459 with questions about any of these collection services.