Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Auburn Hills
Michigan residential pickups occur weekly. Please check your local township or city map for your exact neighborhood collection day.
State Mandate
Keep yard clippings out of landfills. Return deposit bottles separately.
Typically dark-colored (varies if personal container is used) Bin (Trash)
Use your own covered carts or heavy-duty plastic bags. Containers and bags must not exceed 50 pounds. Place containers out by 7:00 AM on your collection day.
Accepted Items
- ✓Everyday household garbage
- ✓Food waste and wrappers
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Bagged household debris
Typically green or blue (varies based on chosen cart) Bin (Recycling)
All materials should be clean, empty, and dry. Do not bag your recyclables; they must be placed loosely in the recycling cart. Flatten all cardboard.
Accepted Items
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Metal cans and aluminum
- ✓Plastics labeled #1 through #7
- ✓Cardboard, mixed paper, and magazines
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags or film
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Window glass and ceramics
- ✕Food-soiled paper
- ✕Hazardous materials
Yard Waste Bin
Must be placed in paper yard waste bags or 32-gallon rigid containers with a yard waste sticker. Weight limit is 50 lbs per container. Branches must be tied and under size limits.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Leaves and weeds
- ✓Shrubs and small brush
- ✓Christmas trees (post-season)
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Weekly on your regular trash collection day
Placement
Place bulk items at the curb no earlier than the night before and no later than 7:00 AM on your regular collection day. Ensure items are not blocking the sidewalk or street.
Accepted
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs
- ✓ Couches and household furniture
- ✓ Refrigerators (with or without Freon)
- ✓ Washers, dryers, and appliances
- ✓ Rolled and tied carpet
Not Accepted
- ✕ Hazardous waste or liquid chemicals
- ✕ Whole tires or automotive batteries
- ✕ Large quantities of construction debris
- ✕ Concrete, brick, or heavy stone
There is no extra charge for 'reasonable quantities' of residential bulk waste as it is included in your standard Priority Waste service.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If a recognized holiday falls on a weekday, trash and recycling collection services will be delayed by one day for the remainder of that week. Regular service schedules resume the following week.
Yard Waste Exception
Yard waste is suspended entirely from mid-December until the beginning of April, regardless of the holiday schedule.
Holidays falling on a weekend (Saturday or Sunday) typically do not impact the regular Monday through Thursday residential collection schedule.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Never Bag Your Recyclables
The most common recycling mistake is placing items inside a plastic garbage bag before throwing them in the cart. Plastic bags jam the gears at the sorting facility. Always toss your recyclables loosely into the bin.
Keep Yard Waste Pure
Never mix rocks, sod, dirt, root balls, or animal waste into your yard waste bags or containers. This contaminates the compost processing and your containers will be left at the curb uncollected.
No Whole Tires or Auto Parts
Do not attempt to throw away vehicle batteries, auto parts, or whole tires in your weekly trash or bulk collection. These items require specialized disposal via local auto part stores or specialized transfer stations.
Seasonal Information
Spring
AprilYard waste collection officially resumes at the beginning of April each year. Ensure you have proper compost bags or a marked 32-gallon container ready for your grass clippings and early spring pruning.
Fall
October to DecemberAs the leaves fall, utilize the weekly yard waste pickup to dispose of leaf bags. Yard waste service runs until mid-December, so be sure to complete your final yard cleanup before the seasonal cutoff.
Winter
January to FebruaryDuring winter storms, place carts in a clear area at the edge of your driveway, never on top of snowbanks or in the street where they interfere with Auburn Hills snowplows. Christmas trees will be collected for a few weeks following the holiday.
About Auburn Hills Waste Management
Navigating Auburn Hills' Single-Hauler Waste Program
To streamline residential services, the City of Auburn Hills utilizes a single-hauler waste management program contracted through Priority Waste. This covers all weekly household garbage, curbside recycling, and seasonal yard waste for single-family residences. Having one dedicated provider ensures consistent collection routes across local neighborhoods and significantly cuts down on heavy garbage truck traffic throughout the city's residential streets, improving safety and reducing noise.
Hassle-Free Bulk Item Collection at the Curb
Unlike many municipalities that require residents to call ahead and pay extra for large item disposal, Auburn Hills includes bulk pickup at no additional cost for reasonable quantities. Items such as old mattresses, broken furniture, and large household appliances—even refrigerators with or without Freon—can simply be placed at the curb on your normal trash day. It is an exceptional benefit that helps residents easily declutter without the burden of extra fees or scheduling.
Single-Stream Recycling for Oakland County Residents
Recycling in Auburn Hills is designed for maximum convenience through a single-stream process. You do not need to separate your glass, metal, plastics, or cardboard; everything goes into one designated recycling cart. The city allows an unlimited volume of approved recyclables, making it easier for families to minimize their landfill footprint. Priority Waste uses automated trucks to collect these materials and transport them to regional material recovery facilities for sorting.
Managing Yard Waste and Autumn Leaves
From April through mid-December, Auburn Hills residents benefit from comprehensive weekly yard waste collection on their standard trash day. Homeowners can use biodegradable kraft paper bags or standard 32-gallon containers clearly marked for yard waste. This service helps keep organic debris out of the landfill, turning it into valuable compost for the region. Christmas trees are also collected under this program shortly after the holiday season.
Safely Disposing of Hazardous Household Materials
Your everyday trash and recycling carts are not meant for toxic chemicals, wet paint, or automotive fluids. Because Auburn Hills prioritizes protecting the local environment and groundwater, residents are encouraged to utilize Oakland County household hazardous waste resources. The region periodically hosts NoHaz Consortium drop-off events, which safely process dangerous items like pesticides, lithium batteries, and oil-based paints that are strictly prohibited in Priority Waste trucks.
Drop-off Facilities
Pontiac Transfer Station (Priority Waste network)
Pontiac, MI (Check with Priority Waste for exact drop-off routing)
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Who provides garbage pickup for the City of Auburn Hills?
The City of Auburn Hills contracts with a single hauler, Priority Waste, to handle all residential trash, recycling, and yard waste collections for single-family homes.
Do I have to pay extra to throw away a mattress in Auburn Hills?
No, reasonable quantities of bulk items, including mattresses, furniture, and appliances, are collected on your regular garbage collection day at no additional cost.
When does yard waste collection start and end?
Weekly yard waste collection in Auburn Hills runs concurrently with your regular trash day, beginning in April and concluding in mid-December. All materials must be in approved paper bags or marked 32-gallon containers.
Where can I dispose of hazardous chemicals and old paint?
Hazardous materials like wet paint, pesticides, and auto fluids are strictly banned from your curbside bins. Residents should utilize Oakland County's household hazardous waste collection resources and NoHaz events for safe disposal.