Earth Day Activities & Recycling - kids work on a paper sign promoting Zero Waste, Repurpose, & with leaves and a lightbulb

Ann Arbor Earth Day 2026 – Fun Events, Recycling & More

Earth Day is fast approaching. Each year the big Ann Arbor Earth Day event is at Leslie Science and Nature Center featuring many local organizations. The Ann Arbor Earth Day Festival 2026 is April 19 at Leslie Science Center. In the spirit of Earth Day, there are also several recycling/disposal events in the next couple of months.

Earth Day – Ann Arbor 2026 Events

Each year the big Ann Arbor Earth Day event is the Earth Day Festival held at Leslie Science and Nature Center. Many local environmental and other organizations throughout Ann Arbor come together for one big event. The 2026 Ann Arbor Earth Day Festival is on Sunday, April 19 from 12-4:30p.

Ann Arbor Earth Day Festival - Making a Seed Bomb
Seed Bombs at 2017 Ann Arbor Earth Day Festival

Check out our report from the 2017 Earth Day Festival – which includes 4 tips for attending the Earth Day Festival.

There are several other events happening around town leading up to the Earth Day Festival (we are still adding 2026 events):

♻️ A2ZERO Sustainability Forum |  Climate Action for Renters: Breaking Barriers to Participation

Downtown Branch of AADL – 343 South Fifth Avenue Ann Arbor
Date/Time: March 31, 2026 – 6:00pm-7:30pm

♻️ Community Shredding Event

Saline District Library – 555 N. Maple Rd Saline
Date/Time: April 11, 2026 – 10:00am-12:00pm

♻️ Crafternoon - Truffula Trees and Little Loraxes!  🌎

SCRAP Creative Reuse – 4567 Washtenaw Avenue Ann Arbor
Date/Time: April 11, 2026 – 2:00pm-4:00pm

♻️ Seed Event

Neutral Zone – 310 E. Washington St Ann Arbor
Date/Time: April 12, 2026 – 2:00pm-4:00pm

♻️ Earth Day Shoreline Cleanup

Lake Erie Metropark – 32481 West Jefferson Avenue Brownstown
Date/Time: April 18, 2026 – 10:00am-12:00pm

♻️ Eddy Discovery Center Grand Reopening

Eddy Discovery Center – 17030 Bush Rd Chelsea
Date/Time: April 18, 2026 – 10:00am-4:00pm

♻️ Earth Day at Hide and Seek - A Play Boutique

Hide and Seek Play Boutique – 1954 S Industrial Hwy, Suite A Ann Arbor
Date/Time: April 18, 2026 – 10:45am-12:45pm

♻️ Celebrate Earth Day with Joe Reilly and Friends

Ypsilanti Freighthouse – 100 Market Place Ypsilanti
Date/Time: April 18, 2026 – 11:00am

♻️ Eddy Discovery Center Grand Reopening

Eddy Discovery Center – 17030 Bush Rd Chelsea
Date/Time: April 19, 2026 – 10:00am-4:00pm

♻️ Celebrate Earth Day with Joe Reilly and Friends

Ypsilanti Freighthouse – 100 Market Place Ypsilanti
Date/Time: April 19, 2026 – 11:00am

♻️ Earth Day Festival

Leslie Science & Nature Center – 1831 Traver Rd Ann Arbor
Date/Time: April 19, 2026 – 12:00pm-4:30pm
The Ann Arbor Earth Day Festival at Leslie Science & Nature Center brings together organizations from across Ann Arbor & Washtenaw County for one large celebration. The festival is Sunday, April 19 from 12-4:30p at Leslie Science & Nature Center. This free, family-friendly event features displays; hands-on activities; live entertainment; green…read more…
Earth Day Festival

♻️ Earth Day at the Arb

Nichols Arboretum – 1016 Washington Heights Ann Arbor
Date/Time: April 22, 2026 – 9:00am-4:00pm

♻️ Earth Day at Robin Hills Farm

Robin Hills Farm – 20390 Michigan 52 Chelsea
Date/Time: April 22, 2026 – 10:00am-8:00pm

♻️ AADL Welcomes: The Sierra Club

Downtown Branch of AADL – 343 South Fifth Avenue Ann Arbor
Date/Time: April 23, 2026 – 6:00pm-7:45pm

♻️ Earth Day: Heroes of Conservation

Lake Erie Metropark – 32481 West Jefferson Avenue Brownstown
Date/Time: April 25, 2026 – 2:00pm-4:00pm

♻️ Earth Day Fair

Wilson Park – 147 Wabash St Milan
Date/Time: April 26, 2026 – 11:00am-3:00pm

♻️ A2ZERO Sustainability Forum |  Celebrating the A2ZERO Community Cookbook!

Downtown Branch of AADL – 343 South Fifth Avenue Ann Arbor
Date/Time: April 28, 2026 – 6:00pm-7:30pm

♻️ Puzzle and Board Game Swap

Downtown Branch of AADL – 343 South Fifth Avenue Ann Arbor
Date/Time: May 10, 2026 – 1:00pm-3:00pm

2025 Events We are Watching for Updates

♻️ Friday, April 4 4:00pm-7:00pm Earth Month Crafting at Maiz Mexican Cantina
♻️ Monday, April 21 All Day Earth Day at KBK Garden Center
♻️ Tuesday, April 22 4:30pm Michigan Softball - Lorax Earth Day at Wilpon Baseball & Softball Complex
♻️ Tuesday, April 22 5:30pm-7:30pm Earth Day Celebration at Park Lyndon North
♻️ Thursday, April 24 6:00pm-7:30pm A2ZERO Sustainability Forum | Local Changemaking - Sustaining Ann Arbor Together (SA2T) Community Grant at Downtown Branch of AADL
♻️ Saturday, April 26 10:00am-2:00pm Earth Day Tree Planting Plus Kite & Rocket Day  at Fireman’s Park
♻️ Saturday, April 26 10:00am-2:00pm Household Electronics Takeback at Zion Lutheran Church
♻️ Saturday, April 26 10:00am-2:00pm Tree Planting at Community Farm

Ann Arbor Recycling Options

As part of Earth Day, I thought I would also share some information on recycling options.

Typically, Target has their Car Seat Trade-In during April. Mast Shoes has offered sock recycling in the past and Pioneer Bands has previously held a sneaker recycling event. We will keep an eye out for 2026recycling events.

Electronic Waste Collection Events

Ann Arbor Public Schools and University of Michigan Planet Blue teamed up on a large eWaste recycling event in the spring from 2008-2016 School. They have cancelled future events.

There are a few other events, be sure to check residency requirements.

♻️ Saturday, June 6 10:00am-1:00pm – Electronics Collection
♻️ Saturday, June 27 9:00am-1:00pm – County Clean-Up Day Recycling Event - Northfield Township
♻️ Saturday, August 8 9:00am-1:00pm – County Clean-Up Day Recycling Event - City of Ypsilanti
♻️ Saturday, August 8 10:00am-1:00pm – Electronics Collection
♻️ Saturday, October 24 10:00am-1:00pm – Electronics Collection
♻️ Saturday, November 14 9:00am-1:00pm – County Clean-Up Day Recycling Event - Scio Township

Pittsfield & Lodi Townships offers residents a Clean-Up Voucher to use once each year at the Recycle Ann Arbor Drop-Off station.

Household Hazardous Waste Disposal

The Washtenaw County Home Toxins Reduction Program provides safe disposal of many home toxins. We have used this FREE program with great success in the past.

Prescription Drugs

Medication should not be flushed down the toilet. Select Pharmacies can take back non-controlled prescription and over the counter drugs. Some police stations provide a Big Red Barrel Program that will accept prescription or over the counter pills including controlled substances. More information can be found on Washtenaw County’s website.

Other Take-Back Events

Ann Arbor Reuse Options

Check out our list of Mom2Mom sales. This year the Just Between Friends Sale is a couple of weeks before Earth Day (April 9-12). And it’s always a great time to check out our local Resale, Thrift, & Consignment shops.

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