Refuse Department

The Refuse Department collects trash, garbage, yard waste, leaves, and compost throughout the City of Michigan City.

In case of sewer emergency or backups, please call our 24/7 emergency line.
(219) 874-7799

Trash Collection & Pickup Schedule

The Refuse Department provides regularly scheduled residential trash collection throughout Michigan City. Residents should place all household refuse in City-issued trash containers, or toters, and have them ready for collection according to their assigned pickup day.

Use the interactive map to locate your address and view your regularly scheduled refuse pickup day.

Refuse Resources

Plant Tour Handout

Think Before You Flush: Flushable Wipes

What Not to Flush Graphic

Household Hazardous Waste Guidelines

Household Hazardous Waste or “HHW” are not allowed to be put out with the trash.

The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that the average household disposes of one pound of hazardous waste each year. HHW are unwanted products that contain corrosive, toxic, ignitable, or reactive ingredients that require special care upon disposal. Pouring them down the drain, on the ground, into storm sewers; burning them; flushing them down the toilet; burying them; dumping them in vacant lots or in ditches; or putting them out with your trash.

Holiday Trash Schedule

During holiday weeks, residents should review the updated collection schedule and place refuse out on the adjusted pickup day listed. Please note that there will be no special pickups during holiday weeks.

For 2026, the holiday schedule includes updates for Memorial Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas week, and New Year’s week. Some holidays, including Juneteenth, Independence Day, and Veterans Day, will follow the normal collection schedule with no disruption in service.

When in doubt, residents are encouraged to leave refuse out for collection. Questions may be directed to the Refuse Department at (219) 873-1530.

Yard Waste & Compost Policy

To help keep Michigan City clean and ensure efficient service for all residents, the Refuse Department follows specific guidelines for weekly collection. These policies are designed to protect our crews, streamline pick-up, and maintain safe and sanitary conditions in our neighborhoods. Please review the following requirements before placing containers at the curb.

Compost pick up begins the first week of May. The last week of pick up will be the week before the Thanksgiving holiday.

  • Each resident is limited to four (4) 32 Gallon garbage container.

  • If there is anything blocking your compost from being picked up, such as vehicles, your compost pickup will resume the following week.

  • Containers must be structurally sound and have operable handles.

  • Each container must weigh less than 50 pounds.

  • Containers cannot contain any sod, dirt, or non-organic materials.

  • Each container must have a lid. (Recommend drilling holes in lid and container and attaching with zip ties on one side to allow the opening and closing of container and prevent loss due to windy weather)

  • Compost is picked up at the curb in front of your home on the same day as your garbage pickup.

Environmental Violations

Environmental violations are not only unsightly, but they can be serious health and safety hazards. It is against City Ordinance for properties to contain:

  • Uncollected trash, garbage, litter, or debris

  • Demolition remains

  • Appliances or furniture in the yard

  • Auto parts and scrap metal

  • Grass over 6 inches tall

  • Fallen trees, stumps, dead trees, and cut brush

For questions about trash, garbage, litter or debris, please contact the Refuse Department.

Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to common questions about refuse and recycling services.

To establish residential refuse contact (219) 873-1530 Monday thru Friday 7:00am to 3:00pm or email the department.

Recycling collection service is operated through the LaPorte County Solid Waste District, and they may be reached at (219) 326-0014 or www.solidwastedistrict.com

There are no changes allowed including days and frequencies.

Please call (219) 873-1530 Monday thru Friday 7:00am to 3:00pm or email the department.

This is handled by a case-by-case process depending on the circumstances.

Please have your refuse, and yard waste out for collection by 7 a.m. on your stated collection day. Please note that all yard waste must be placed at the curb, regardless if you receive alley pick-up and placed in a maximum of four (4) 32-Gallon containers with lids and must not include dirt or sod.

There will be no residential refuse and recycling collection service on the following City-observed holidays: New Year’s Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. Refer to the holiday schedule.

During weeks that include recognized City holidays, the collection day will be pushed to the following day to accommodate the disruption in scheduling. Refer to the holiday schedule.

The refuse toters provided by the Refuse Department can be repaired. If damaged, please call (219) 873-1530 Monday thru Friday 7:00am to 3:00pm or email the department.

Yes. You may request a second 96-gallon refuse cart, as we limit all households to two, however due to damages, shortages, new residents, and numerous requests, we handle requests on a case-by-case basis.

No. Refuse will only be collected in the blue toter provided by the City of Michigan City. Additionally, bags or other items cannot be left outside the toter.

Yes, trash must be substantially bagged (per ordinance).

To dispose of your old personal trash container(s), please contact us at (219) 873-1530 Monday thru Friday 7:00am to 3:00pm or email the department then place the empty container at the curb upside down and it will be collected and destroyed or recycled.

Please call (219) 873-1530 Monday thru Friday 7:00am to 3:00pm to report an illegal dump site.

Yard waste (Compost) is defined as organic or garden material such as leaves, grass, plants, branches and hedge trimmings. Please note that large piles of leaves are handled through the Street Department at (219) 873-1500.

To report a missed yard waste collection, please call (219) 873-1530 Monday thru Friday 7:00am to 3:00pm or email the department.

All yard waste must be placed within four feet of the curb, regardless if you have alley pick-up, in a 32-Gallon (limit four) container with a lid, on the same day as your garbage pick-up.

  • Any additional capacity in your refuse toter may NOT be used for yard waste.
  • Sticks and branches should be tied into 4’x2′ bundles and placed next to your compost container.
  • Yard waste may also be disposed of for free at the LaPorte County Solid Waste Compost Facility located at 724 Zigler Road (behind the Fairgrounds) The site is open seven days a week from 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. excluding Holidays.  Residents are required to present a current driver’s license with a LaPorte County address.

No. Paper recycling bags found at most local retail establishments can cause issues for our crew. They get wet, heavy, and disintegrate. Paper bags are not strong enough to hold the contents and be lifted properly.

Please tie sticks and branches into 4’x2′ bundles weighing no more than 40 lbs. and place them onto the curb at compost collection day. Any branches over the bundle size should be directed to the Street Department at (219) 873-1500.

No. Excluding bundles, the hauler will only collect yard waste that is placed in a proper 32-Gallon container that the contents may be verified to ensure proper disposal.

Samples of acceptable items include furniture, mattresses, household appliances; tires (limit 4), limbs, tree trimmings and stumps cut to less than five feet long and less than 18 inches in diameter and remodeling debris from small projects performed by the resident at the address where the materials are set out.

You can schedule a bulky waste collection by contacting (219) 873-1530 Monday thru Friday 7:00am to 3:00pm. The collection of bulky waste items will be scheduled for pickup.

Samples of non-acceptable items include automobile parts, batteries, liquids, poisons, explosives and contractor remodeling and demolition debris such as shingles, wallboard and lumber.

We do not accept Move-outs, or Landlord cleanouts. It is solely the responsibility of the Landlord or homeowner.  We recommend renting a dumpster.

There are several ways that include the following:

  • You may hire a locally insured firm to remove your items and dispose of them legally.
  • The LaPorte County Solid Waste District operates a monthly recycle program for numerous types of hazards, such as batteries, liquids, poisons, explosives, needles, and tires. You may contact them at (219) 326-0014 or www.solidwastedistrict.com
  • The easiest way is to rent a private dumpster. There are numerous companies, sizes, and terms available in our county.

Need Assistance or Have a Concern?

Browse our services, projects, and resources pages for quick answers. If you can’t find what you’re looking for or need to report an issue, please reach out and we’ll be glad to help.