Drop-Off Station

About

Effective March 1, 2025, Hard-to-recycle items will no longer be included in the Gate Fee. Instead, a $5 surcharge will be introduced for these items. This hard-to-recycle fee will be added to the existing Gate Fee and will apply to both residential and large-volume recycling loads. Hard-to-recycle items include soft/film plastics, expanded polystyrene, motor oil, motor oil filters, antifreeze, and vegetable oil. 

The Drop-Off Station, operated by Recycle Ann Arbor —a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization— is a community-supported, one-stop location for all your recycling and safe waste disposal needs. Serving residents and businesses in Washtenaw County and beyond, the Drop-Off Station provides convenient and accessible recycling services for hard-to-recycle materials such as electronics (e-waste), appliances, textiles, plastic bags, freon appliances, lightbulbs, tires, and expanded single-stream and metal recycling.

All customers must pay the appropriate gate fees to access all recycling services at the Drop-Off Station. Additional charges will apply based on the materials brought in, including hard-to-recycle items, electronics, appliances, and waste services. For complete details, please refer to our price list. See our price list for full details.

The Drop-Off Station is primarily funded by the fees collected from its users, which helps to maintain the recycling services we have provided for Ann Arbor and the surrounding communities for over 45 years. We appreciate your continued support! To keep recycling costs low and ensure accessibility and equity for all users, Recycle Ann Arbor does not charge a recycling fee for the traditional recycling items brought to the Drop-Off Station.

SEASONAL NOTICE: During the winter months (November to March), the following materials may not be accepted after 5:00 pm due to low lighting and safety concerns at the location where these materials are stored:

• Scrap metal
• General waste
• Bulky waste
• Furniture
• Yard waste

Drop-Off Station staff are not able to unload materials from vehicles. If you need assistance to unload your materials, please arrange for help in advance. 

Drop-Off Station Material Fees 

NEW: Hard-to-recycle items will no longer be included in the Gate Fee at the Drop-Off Station. 

The gate fee, which is paid once per day, covers only traditional recycling services and applies to both residential and large recycling loads.

Residents who frequently use the Drop-Off Station can purchase ten-visit punch passes or annual passes. Please note that these discount passes only cover the residential recycling gate fee. Additional fees will apply based on the materials brought in and must be declared and paid at the gatehouse before entering. 

Credit Card transactions only. No cash or checks.

GATE FEE:

Residential Gate Fee: - Per Day:  $3
Large Volume Gate Fee*: - Per Day: $15
10-visit Punch Residential Pass: $25.00
Annual Residential Pass: $100.00

Traditional accepted materials included in the Gate Fee:

• Mixed Paper/Boxboard
• Cardboard
• Plastics (#1, #2, and #5 only)
• Metal cans & scrap metal (non-electrical items)
• Glass bottles and jars (any color)
• Shredded paper (already shredded, bagged, and sealed)
• Clothing/shoes (textiles) (up to 3 bags) 

An additional hard-to-recycle fee will be applied at the gate for hard-to-recycle materials. This new fee applies to both residential and large-volume recycling loads.

HARD-TO-RECYCLE FEE:

Residential Volume: $5
Large Volume*: $17

Hard-To-Recycle accepted materials:

• Motor Oil (up to 5 gal)
• Antifreeze (up to 5 gal)
• Oil Filters (up to 5)
• Vegetable Oil (up to 5 gal) 
• Expanded Polystyrene
• Plastic Bags

*Large volume applies to a traditionally accepted material volume exceeding that of a curbside collection cart. RAA reserves the right to adjust pricing for commercial quantities.

Tip: Save time, energy, and money during your visit by bringing these items in all at once! 

Additional Fees will apply for recycling and waste services, including but not limited to:

• Electronics, appliances, and bulbs
• Lead-acid car batteries
• Secure document shredding and hard drive destruction
• General waste, including furniture, and construction debris
• Yard waste, branches, leaves, grass clippings, etc.
• Tires
• Commercial loads may be subject to additional pricing and will be accessed at the gatehouse. Please call ahead to check on capacity and availability before bringing commercial loads to the Drop-Off Station.

Please refer to our current price list or complete details.

The Drop-Off Station DOES NOT ACCEPT

• Alkaline, Lithium, and other rechargeable batteries 
• Asbestos-containing materials
• Asphalt
• Concrete (accepted at Recovery Yard only)
• Damaged, bloated, or leaking batteries
• Deceased pets, livestock, or wildlife
• Fertilizer 
• Food waste
• Liquids, other than motor oil & vegetable oil 
• Paints or varnish (latex or oil-based)
• Root systems
• Sod or turf
• Soil, dirt, or sand
• Stumps, or logs over 8 inches wide
• Toxics
• #3, #4, #6, and #7 Plastics 

Things To Know

• Do not bag your single-stream materials, dump them loose into the roll-off container. Only mixed paper, boxboard, #1, #2, and #5 plastic, metal cans and foil, aseptic containers, and glass bottles and jars are accepted in the single-stream container. All items must be empty, clean and dry. Tightly secure caps and lids to containers and flatten boxboard, labels may be left on.
• Motor oil and antifreeze must be in a strong, secure bottle to prevent leaks and spillages. No mixed fluids are accepted.
• Vegetable oil only. No animal-based fats or mixed fats are accepted.
• Light bulbs must not be taped or tied together.
• No bedding or towels are accepted.
• Plastic bags must be clean and dry.
• Children under 13 years old and pets must remain inside your vehicle at all times.
• Staff can refuse any material deemed unsuitable.

Additional Information

• For more information on what to do once you arrive and how to save time and money by sorting materials in advance, please read our  Drop-Off Waste & Recycling Tips.
• Details about the Drop-Off Station's secure document shredding services can be found here.
• You can find our comprehensive list of accepted plastic bags here.

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