Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Burton
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.
Dark green, black, or heavy-duty trash bags Bin (Trash)
Trash must be bagged and placed in securely covered containers not exceeding 50 pounds, or placed in heavy-duty plastic bags tied securely at the curb by 7:00 AM on collection day.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Wrappers and packaging
Blue cart or bin with recycling decal Bin (Recycling)
All recyclables must be rinsed clean of food residue and placed loose in the blue recycling bin. Do not bag your recyclables.
Accepted Items
- ✓Clean cardboard and paperboard
- ✓Office paper and newspapers
- ✓Plastic bottles and jugs (#1, #2, #5)
- ✓Aluminum and tin cans
- ✓Clear and colored glass bottles
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic shopping bags
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Tanglers (hoses, wires)
- ✕Greasy pizza boxes
- ✕Electronics
Yard Waste Bin
Must be placed in 30-gallon brown paper yard waste bags or rigid 32-gallon containers clearly marked with an 'X' or 'Yard Waste' decal. Branches must be tied in bundles no longer than 4 feet.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Small twigs and branches (under 2 inches in diameter)
- ✓Garden prunings
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
One large item per week
Placement
Place the bulk item at least 3 feet away from your regular trash and recycling carts to allow easy access for the collection trucks.
Accepted
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs
- ✓ Couches and chairs
- ✓ Wooden furniture
- ✓ Non-Freon appliances
Not Accepted
- ✕ Tires
- ✕ Hazardous waste (paint, oil)
- ✕ Construction and demolition debris
- ✕ Refrigerators containing Freon (unless properly tagged)
Included in standard residential solid waste fees; no extra sticker or fee is required for the one weekly allotted item.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If a recognized holiday falls on a weekday, trash and recycling collection will be delayed by one day for the remainder of that week. Friday collections will take place on Saturday.
Yard Waste Exception
Yard waste follows the exact same holiday delay schedule as trash and recycling during its active collection season.
If the holiday falls on a weekend, your standard weekday collection schedule will not be interrupted.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Keep the Bags Out of the Blue Bin
Film plastics and grocery bags easily wrap around the sorting machinery at the material recovery facility. Return plastic bags to local grocery stores in Burton instead of tossing them into your curbside recycling.
When in Doubt, Throw the Grease Out
While cardboard is highly recyclable, the oil-soaked bottoms of pizza boxes are not. Tear off the clean top to recycle, and throw the greasy bottom half into your regular household trash.
No Garden Hoses or Extension Cords
Common garage items like old hoses, chains, and electrical cords are considered 'tanglers.' They cause severe mechanical failures at the recycling plant. Dispose of these in the regular garbage.
Seasonal Information
Winter
December to MarchHeavy Lake Effect snow and ice storms can occasionally delay collection schedules. Ensure bins are not buried in snowbanks or placed in the direct path of city snowplows.
Autumn
October to NovemberPeak leaf drop occurs in late fall. Residents should bag leaves in biodegradable kraft bags. Do not rake leaves directly into the street, as this clogs Burton's storm drains.
Spring
AprilYard waste collection resumes typically in the first week of April. It is the perfect time for spring cleaning and clearing out winter yard debris.
About Burton Waste Management
Comprehensive Residential Waste Solutions in Burton
Keeping the streets of Burton, Michigan clean requires a coordinated effort between residents and the city's chosen waste haulers. The local Department of Public Works ensures that regular curbside collection of household garbage, recyclables, and compostable yard clippings runs efficiently. Residents are encouraged to review their specific collection day maps to avoid missed pickups and maintain the curb appeal of Genesee County.
Navigating Burton’s Curbside Recycling Program
Michigan’s push toward better environmental sustainability is strongly supported by Burton's single-stream curbside recycling initiative. Homeowners do not need to separate glass, plastics, and paper into different bins; instead, all approved clean recyclables can be placed directly into the designated recycling cart. By diverting cardboard and aluminum from local landfills, the community actively reduces its environmental footprint.
Managing Seasonal Yard Waste in Genesee County
The transition from snowy winters to lush summers in Michigan means yard waste collection is highly seasonal. Burton’s yard waste program typically kicks off in early April and concludes at the end of November. During this active period, residents can dispose of grass clippings, small twigs, and autumn leaves by using biodegradable kraft paper bags or clearly marked rigid containers.
Proper Disposal of Heavy and Bulky Items
Upgrading furniture or replacing old appliances doesn't have to be a hassle. Burton residents benefit from regular bulk item pickup alongside their standard weekly trash service. Whether you are discarding an old mattress or a broken couch, understanding the weight limits and placement guidelines ensures that these large items are hauled away safely without disrupting standard neighborhood collection routes.
Drop-off Facilities
Genesee County Household Hazardous Waste Collection Events
Various locations across Genesee County (Check County schedule)
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
What time should I have my garbage out in Burton?
All trash, recycling, and yard waste must be placed at the curb no later than 7:00 AM on your designated collection day to guarantee pickup.
How do I dispose of a mattress in Burton, MI?
You can place one mattress out on your regular trash day as part of the weekly bulk item allowance. For sanitary reasons, it is highly recommended to wrap the mattress in plastic.
Does Burton have a separate bin for yard waste?
No specific city-issued bin is provided for yard waste. Residents must use 30-gallon brown paper lawn bags or their own 32-gallon rigid containers marked clearly with 'Yard Waste' or a large 'X'.
Who do I call if my trash was missed?
If your bins were out by 7:00 AM and were missed, you should contact the Burton Department of Public Works or the contracted hauler directly at 810-742-9230 to report the issue.