Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Auburn Hills
Trash Day
Curbside trash is collected once weekly, Monday through Thursday, depending on your neighborhood.
Recycling
Weekly on the same day as trash pickup.
Yard Waste
Weekly from April through mid-December on your regular trash collection day.
Set Out Time
By 7:00 AM on collection day
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Residential waste services are contracted through Priority Waste and billed on a fixed quarterly rate, while city water and sewer utilities are billed separately on a monthly basis.
Billing Cycle
Quarterly
Accepted Methods
Online, Mail, Drop Box, Phone, In-Person
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
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.
Local Tips & Community Info
Auburn Hills Refuse Management Guidelines
Living in Auburn Hills, Michigan comes with structured neighborhood services designed to keep residential streets pristine. The Department of Public Works contracts specialized waste haulers to manage weekly residential trash, recycling, and organic debris removal. Every single-family household receives designated rolling carts that streamline the neighborhood pickup process. Adhering to the established collection guidelines prevents service disruptions and maintains community standards across all subdivisions.
Curbside Placement and Cart Protocols
Timing and placement are everything when it comes to successful curbside collection in Auburn Hills. Carts must be rolled out to the curb line no later than 7:00 a.m. on your designated service day, or as early as 5:00 p.m. the evening before. Position your containers with the wheels facing your home and ensure there is a clear three-foot perimeter separating the trash bin from mailboxes, parked vehicles, or recycling carts. Lids must close completely to prevent loose debris from blowing away during the mechanical lifting procedure.
Seasonal Compost and Heavy Item Disposal
Managing household cleanouts and seasonal yard work requires knowing your local waste limits. Auburn Hills operates a robust yard waste collection program from early spring through late autumn, requiring organic material to go into brown paper compost bags or clearly marked containers. For heavy or oversized items like old couches and mattresses, residents can place one bulk item out per week alongside regular garbage without prior reservation. However, appliances containing freon or hazardous construction materials demand specialized drop-off arrangements.
Holiday Schedule Adjustments
When major national holidays land on a weekday, your waste collection schedule shifts by one calendar day for the remainder of that specific week. Auburn Hills observes holidays such as New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. If a holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday, collection operations proceed normally on your standard weekday without any delays.
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
What time must my trash cart be placed at the curb in Auburn Hills?
Carts must be positioned at the curb by 7:00 a.m. on your scheduled collection day, or after 5:00 p.m. on the evening prior.
Does Auburn Hills allow bulk item disposal every week?
Yes, residents are allowed to place one large bulk item at the curb each week alongside their normal household trash collection.
How long does the seasonal yard waste pickup run?
The seasonal compost and yard waste collection typically operates from April through late November, depending on weather conditions.