Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Birmingham
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.
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Curbside trash, recycling, and bulk pickup services are covered under city services, while water and sewer services are billed quarterly by the City of Birmingham.
Billing Cycle
Quarterly
Accepted Methods
Online, Auto-Pay / EFT, Mail, Phone, In Person
Pro Tip / Discount
Low-income residents may qualify for utility bill credits and financial assistance through the Water Residential Assistance Program (WRAP).
Customer Provided (Any Color) Bin (Trash)
Must use a 20- to 35-gallon container weighing no more than 50 lbs. ALL trash must be securely bagged inside the can to protect workers from loose debris.
Accepted Items
- ✓Normal household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Styrofoam and non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Small amounts of safely packed sharp items
SOCRRA Bin or Cart Bin (Recycling)
Do not bag recyclables; all items must remain completely loose in the recycling container to allow for automated sorting at the SOCRRA facility.
Accepted Items
- ✓Cardboard and paperboard
- ✓Mixed office paper and newspaper
- ✓Plastic bottles, jugs, and tubs
- ✓Clean glass jars and metal cans
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic grocery bags
- ✕Styrofoam packaging
- ✕String lights and tanglers
- ✕Medical sharps
Yard Waste Bin
Must be placed in heavy-duty Kraft paper yard bags or 32-gallon (max) rigid cans marked with a 'Yard Waste' decal. Max weight is 50 lbs. No plastic bags.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Fallen leaves
- ✓Garden weeds and plant matter
- ✓Branches smaller than 2 inches in diameter
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Weekly on your standard trash day
Placement
Place items at the curb by 7:00 a.m. Ensure they do not block the sidewalk or the street. Hazardous large items require special attention.
Accepted
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs
- ✓ Household furniture (sofas, tables, chairs)
- ✓ Appliances (refrigerator doors MUST be removed)
- ✓ Carpet (rolled no longer than 4 feet and tied)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Logs and tree stumps
- ✕ Construction and demolition debris
- ✕ Mirrors, large glass, and hazardous waste
Standard bulk items are free. However, excessively heavy or awkward items (pianos, cast iron tubs, hot tubs) require a special call to Car Trucking (586-791-8480) and may require a paid roll-off arrangement.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If one of these holidays falls on a weekday, collection for that day and the remaining days of that week will be delayed by one day.
Yard Waste Exception
Yard waste is suspended between mid-December and early April, meaning winter holiday delays only affect your standard trash and recycling routes.
If a major holiday falls on a weekend, your standard collection schedule remains unaffected.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Spring
April - MayCurbside yard waste collection and the city's dedicated branch chipper service resume in early April. Ensure small twigs are bagged and large branches (2-4 inches thick) are stacked with cut ends toward the curb.
Autumn
October - DecemberBagged yard waste collection continues steadily through mid-December (specifically, the third week of December). Make sure all final fall leaf cleanups are completed before the trucks stop for the winter.
Winter
JanuaryNatural holiday trees are collected through the end of January by a separate contractor (J.H. Hart). They are turned into wood chips, so you must completely remove all lights, ornaments, and plastic tree skirts.
Local Tips & Community Info
Complete Guide to Birmingham's Trash Pickup Schedule
Residents of Birmingham, Michigan can rely on a consistent weekly schedule for their household waste disposal. Depending on your specific neighborhood, trash collection takes place on Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday. To ensure you never miss a pickup, it is highly recommended to place your refuse containers at the curb by 6:45 a.m. on your designated collection day. If you prefer to set your bins out the night before, you may do so no earlier than 7:00 p.m., which is approximately twelve hours prior to the start of morning collection. Keep in mind that route times can fluctuate daily, so having everything ready early is the best way to avoid a missed pickup.
Proper Bin Placement and Garbage Rules
To maintain a clean and safe environment for sanitation workers, the city has established specific rules for waste containers. All household trash must be securely bagged inside your bins; loose trash will not be accepted and could result in a red tag. Residents should use approved 20 to 35-gallon garbage cans or heavy-duty plastic bags that are at least 2 mils thick. For the safety of the collection crew, no single container or bag should exceed 50 pounds. Ensuring your waste is properly packaged prevents litter from blowing through our beautiful Birmingham neighborhoods.
Free Year-Round Bulk Waste Collection
One of the standout amenities in Birmingham is the free, year-round bulky item pickup service. You do not need to wait for a special cleanup week to dispose of large household items. Instead, you can simply place items like mattresses, old furniture, standard appliances, and tied rolls of carpet (cut to four feet in length) at the curb on your normal trash day. However, there are restrictions: the city will not collect construction debris, landscaping materials, dismantled decks, or hazardous wastes. If you have unusually heavy or awkward items—such as a cast iron tub, piano, or glass mirrors—you must contact the city's contractor, Car Trucking, to make special arrangements.
Handling Your Recycling and Seasonal Yard Waste
Birmingham is committed to sustainability and encourages all residents to recycle actively. Recyclables should be placed curbside alongside your standard trash by 7:00 a.m. For yard waste, seasonal curbside pickup generally resumes in early April and runs through the warmer months. During the off-season, or if you have excess compostable materials, residents have the option to drop off yard waste directly at the SOCRRA facility located on Coolidge Highway in nearby Troy. Utilizing these services helps divert reusable materials and organic matter away from local landfills.
Holiday Schedule and Collection Delays
During major national holidays, your regular waste collection routine may shift slightly. The City of Birmingham observes six primary holidays: New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. If any of these holidays falls on a weekday, all subsequent trash, recycling, and yard waste collections for that week will be delayed by exactly one day. For example, a Thursday pickup would be moved to Friday. When in doubt about holiday scheduling, the city’s rule of thumb is simple: put it out.
Drop-off Facilities
SOCRRA Drop-Off Center
995 Coolidge Hwy, Troy, MI 48084
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
What time should I put out my trash bins in Birmingham?
You should place your trash, recycling, and yard waste at the curb no later than 6:45 a.m. on your designated collection day. You may also set them out the evening before, but no earlier than 7:00 p.m.
Who do I call if my trash or bulk items were missed?
If your household waste or large bulky items were missed during the regular route, you should directly contact the city's solid waste contractor, Car Trucking, at (586) 791-8480 for assistance.
Does the city pick up construction debris or contractor materials?
No. The weekly curbside refuse and bulky item pickup does not include construction debris, remodeling waste, contractor materials, dismantled fencing, or large landscaping elements like stumps and railroad ties.