Refuse Collection

City Refuse Workers are responsible for the collection of all refuse from residential dwellings in the City and commercial accounts as contracted. Residents in the corporation limits are mandated by City Ordinance to have their refuse picked up by the City. Commercial and industrial accounts are not mandated, and can contract with a vendor of their choice. Many residential and commercial units outside the City are also picked up by City Refuse Workers, but are not mandated.

Automated Refuse Collection Guidelines COLLECTION REGULATIONS

Refuse collected by the City shall ONLY be placed in a City provided (48 or 96 gallon) toter.  Tags are no longer required.  Normal residential trash or refuse MUST BE BAGGED and placed inside the toter.  Toters should be placed at the curb no sooner than 6pm the day before your scheduled pickup and no later than 6am the day of pickup.  The City cannot guarantee collection for refuse placed curbside after 6am. Toters must be placed a minimum of five (5) feet apart with lids CLOSED and lid arrow facing the street or refuse may not be collected.  Avoid placing toter near parked cars, mailboxes, trees, and recycling containers. INDIVIDUAL CANS OR BAGS PLACED OUTSIDE THE TOTER WILL NOT BE COLLECTED.  All toters and recycling containers should be off the curb no later than 6pm the day of your scheduled pickup.  On non-collection days, all toters must be stored either to the side of your house, behind your house, or in your garage.  Unless otherwise purchased, the City provided toter must remain at the property when a resident moves.  Additional toters can be purchased. Any purchased toter becomes the property of the resident and can be taken with you if you move.  TOTERS ARE NOT PERMITTED TO BE LEFT AT THE CURB.  DO NOT fill above the top of the toter.  Lids must be closed.  

Fees & Tags

All residential households within the City of St. Marys are charged a $9.95 base fee on their utility bill each month. 

For residents outside City limits still using tags, refuse tags cost $1.00 each and can be purchased at the City Utility Office. Please place the tag around the neck of the tied bag or on the handle of the trash container in a manner where it can be easily torn off. The number of bags or containers permitted to be placed out for disposal is unlimited as long as they are properly tagged.

Corrugated cardboard can be picked up if it is boxed or bundled and tagged or it can be taken to the recycling center on the first or third Saturday of the month.

Refuse Workers do not pick up grass or leaves. A designated area for yard waste is located at the General Services Department located at 331 N Chestnut Street. Access is available 24 hours per day, 7 days per week.

To find out the day for refuse collection in your area, please contact the Utility Office at 419-300-3142. 

View the Holiday Refuse Schedule 2025 (PDF).