Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Canton
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.
Grey or Black 95-Gallon Cart (Priority Waste issued) Bin (Trash)
All garbage bags must be placed entirely inside the 95-gallon cart. Carts must be placed with hinges/handles facing the house, at least 3 feet away from recycling carts and obstacles. Carts cannot be stored at the end of driveways longer than 12 hours after pickup.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Bagged trash
Blue or Green 65-Gallon Cart Bin (Recycling)
All recyclables must be placed loose inside the cart. Anything left outside or leaning against the recycling cart will not be collected.
Accepted Items
- ✓Newspaper and junk mail
- ✓Flattened cardboard and boxboard
- ✓Empty metal and aluminum cans
- ✓Plastic bottles, jugs, tubs, and storage containers
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Tanglers (cords, hoses)
- ✕Food waste
Yard Waste Bin
Use paper yard waste bags or 32-gallon reusable containers with sturdy handles labeled 'Yard Waste'. Max weight is 50 lbs. No plastic bags.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Garden waste and pumpkins
- ✓Pruning debris
- ✓Small brush and twigs
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Weekly on your regular collection day
Placement
Place bulk items on the driveway apron, keeping them at least three feet away from your automated garbage and recycling carts so the truck's mechanical arm can operate freely.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs (must be wrapped in plastic)
- ✓ Appliances (doors removed)
- ✓ Carpet (rolled and tied)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Freon-bearing items without proper evacuation tags
- ✕ Extra garbage bags
- ✕ Hazardous waste
- ✕ Construction materials
If you have more than two bulk items in a single week, you must contact Priority Waste at 586-228-1200 to schedule and pay for a 'Special Pickup'.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If an observed holiday falls on a weekday, trash, recycling, and yard waste collection will be delayed by one day for the remainder of the week, with Friday routes serviced on Saturday.
Yard Waste Exception
Yard waste follows the exact same holiday delay schedule as regular trash during its active season (April through mid-December).
If a holiday falls on a weekend, the normal collection schedule remains completely unaffected.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Loose Bags Will Be Left Behind
Under the automated collection system, Priority Waste trucks use a mechanical arm to lift the trash carts. Any excess garbage bags left on the ground next to your 95-gallon cart do not count as 'bulk items' and will simply be left behind.
Protect Upholstery from the Elements
If you are discarding upholstered furniture like a sofa or recliner during bad weather, cover it securely in plastic. If the fabric becomes completely waterlogged, it may become too heavy for the haulers to safely lift into the truck.
Bundle Your Brush Correctly
Do not throw loose branches onto the curb. Tree limbs and brush must be tied with heavy twine into bundles no larger than 3 feet long, with individual branches no thicker than 1.5 inches in diameter. Limit of six bundles per week.
Seasonal Information
Spring & Summer
April - NovemberCurbside residential yard waste collection officially begins the first full week of April. Residents can place labeled 32-gallon cans or paper yard bags out alongside their regular trash.
Winter
December - MarchYard waste collection concludes in the third week of December. During snowstorms, clear a flat space on your driveway apron for your carts. Live Christmas trees will be picked up curbside for the first three weeks of January.
Severe Weather
Year-RoundIf high winds or heavy snow are forecasted, do not put your carts out the night before. Wait until the morning of your collection day (before 6:30 AM) to prevent carts from blowing into the street or interfering with snowplows.
About Canton Waste Management
Canton's Transition to Automated Cart Collection
Starting in late July 2024, Canton Township modernized its waste collection by partnering with Priority Waste to implement a fully automated curbside pickup system. Residents are now equipped with 95-gallon ADA-compliant trash carts on wheels, completely replacing the outdated protocol of leaving loose 32-gallon containers and stray garbage bags at the curb. For service, all trash bags must fit completely inside the cart with the lid closed; bags placed on the ground will not be collected.
Generous Weekly Bulk Item Allowance
Unlike many neighboring municipalities that charge per item or require cumbersome advanced scheduling, Canton provides an excellent weekly bulk pickup allowance. Residents can leave up to two large bulky items—such as furniture, bundled carpet, or appliances—at the curb on their regular service day at absolutely no extra cost. If you have more than two large items, you must contact Priority Waste to schedule a paid special pickup.
Strict Safety Rules for Appliances and Mattresses
While the two-item bulk allowance is convenient, residents must prepare specific items properly to ensure public safety and hauler compliance. Any refrigerator, freezer, or appliance must have its doors completely removed to prevent child entrapment. Furthermore, mattresses and box springs are strictly required to be wrapped in heavy plastic before being placed at the curb for collection.
Special Handling for Freon-Bearing Units
Disposing of older cooling appliances in Canton requires an extra environmental step. Refrigerators, freezers, air conditioners, and dehumidifiers must have all Freon removed by a licensed professional. The appliance must carry an official tag verifying the Freon evacuation before Priority Waste will accept it at the curb.
Canton Clean-Up Drop-Off Events
To help manage hazardous materials and excess waste, Priority Waste and Canton Township co-host monthly 'Canton Clean-up' events throughout the year. These centralized drop-off stationary programs accept items that are prohibited from curbside carts, such as household hazardous waste, electronics (e-waste), and documents requiring secure shredding.
Drop-off Facilities
Priority Waste Wayne Yard (Canton Clean-up Location)
39000 Van Born Road, Wayne, MI
Materials Accepted
J. Fons Co. Transfer Station (Priority Waste)
6451 E McNichols Rd, Detroit, MI 48212
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I leave extra garbage bags next to my new Priority Waste cart in Canton?
No. Under Canton's automated collection system implemented in July 2024, all garbage must fit inside your 95-gallon cart with the lid closed. Excess bags left on the ground will not be picked up and do not count as your weekly bulk items.
How do I throw away an old mattress in Canton?
You can place one mattress and one box spring at the curb on your normal trash day as part of your weekly two-item bulk allowance. However, Canton Township regulations strictly require that mattresses and box springs be securely wrapped in plastic before they can be collected.
Are there limits on curbside yard waste in Canton?
Yard waste is unlimited as long as it is prepared correctly, but there are size and weight limits. Cans and paper bags cannot exceed 50 pounds. If you are tying brush, you are limited to six bundles per week, and each bundle cannot exceed 50 pounds, 3 feet in length, and 1.5 inches in branch diameter.
What should I do if my garbage cart breaks or is damaged?
The 95-gallon garbage carts are under warranty. If your cart is damaged by the collection vehicle or normal wear and tear, you must report it immediately to Priority Waste at 586-228-1200. As long as the damage wasn't caused by homeowner negligence, the cart will be repaired or replaced at no cost to you.