Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Flint
Trash Day
Trash collection runs Monday through Friday across the city, assigned by neighborhood zone map.
Recycling
Weekly on the same day as your trash collection.
Yard Waste
Weekly on the same day as trash collection, running seasonally from April 1 through the week containing November 30.
Set Out Time
By 7:00 AM on collection day
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Curbside waste collection is provided citywide through Priority Waste, while city water and sewer utilities are billed monthly through the Flint Customer Service Center.
Billing Cycle
Monthly
Accepted Methods
Online, Auto-Pay, Phone, Mail, In-Person / Drive-Thru / Drop Box
Pro Tip / Discount
Low-income assistance and bill credits are available to eligible residents through the Water Residential Assistance Program (WRAP) and GCCARD.
Personal Cans or Bags (up to 40 gallons) Bin (Trash)
Place out by 7:00 AM on your collection day. Limit of 20 bags or cans per week. Maximum capacity is 40 gallons and maximum weight is 50 lbs per container.
Accepted Items
- ✓Household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Standard non-hazardous solid waste
Container labeled Recycle Bin (Recycling)
Place all recyclables loose in your designated recycling bin. Do not bag your recyclables, and ensure all containers are rinsed clean.
Accepted Items
- ✓Clean flattened cardboard
- ✓Paper and boxboard
- ✓Plastic bottles, jugs, and tubs
- ✓Metal cans (aluminum and tin)
- ✓Clear and colored glass
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags
- ✕Plastic wrap
- ✕Hoses, cords, or wires
- ✕Batteries and electronics
- ✕Food or liquid waste
Yard Waste Bin
Use 32-gallon compostable paper bags or an open 32-gallon container weighing less than 50 lbs. Place 10 feet apart from regular waste.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Shrubs
- ✓Brush trimmings (under 6 inches thick and 4 feet long)
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Weekly
Placement
Set your bulk items out by 7:00 AM on the same day as your regular trash. You must remove refrigerator and appliance doors before placing them at the curb for child safety.
Accepted
- ✓ Washers and dryers
- ✓ Stoves and microwaves
- ✓ Hot water tanks
- ✓ Carpet (cut into 4ft rolls under 60lbs)
- ✓ Furniture and mattresses
Not Accepted
- ✕ Contractor and construction debris
- ✕ Hazardous materials
- ✕ Propane tanks
- ✕ Tires
- ✕ Dirt or sod
This weekly 3-item bulk service is fully included in the city's standard sanitation contract with Priority Waste at no additional out-of-pocket cost.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If a recognized holiday falls on a weekday, residential collection for trash, recycling, and compost will be delayed by one day for the rest of the week.
Yard Waste Exception
Compost collection follows the exact same holiday delay schedule as regular trash during its active season (April through November).
If a listed holiday lands on a weekend, your standard collection schedule will remain completely unaffected and proceed as normal.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Spring through Fall
April - NovemberThe dedicated compost and yard waste pickup season runs from April 1st through the week containing November 30th. Remember to adhere to the city's 'Bag It' rules for autumn leaves.
Winter Holidays
Late December - JanuaryFollowing the holiday season, Priority Waste provides special Christmas tree collection for the three weeks immediately following December 25th. Place bare, unbagged trees at the curb.
Holidays
Year-RoundWhen major holidays like Thanksgiving, Labor Day, or Independence Day land on a weekday, all Flint sanitation services are pushed back by one business day for the remainder of that week.
Local Tips & Community Info
Municipal Waste Collection Policies in Flint
To ensure neighborhood streets remain sanitary and visually appealing, Flint property owners must adhere to specific curbside refuse guidelines. Regular household trash is collected on a designated weekday for each residential zone. Your city-issued 96-gallon trash cart must be wheeled to the curb by 7:00 AM on the day of service, though you should not place the receptacle out before 6:00 PM the evening prior. Priority Waste, the city's contracted sanitation provider, requires that all loose garbage be placed inside tightly tied bags before going into the cart. This vital step prevents loose litter from blowing across yards when the automated mechanical arms dump the bins into the collection trucks.
Maximizing Curbside Recycling Efforts
Flint has actively modernized its environmental infrastructure, outfitting homes with dedicated 64-gallon blue recycling carts. These distinct bins are serviced on the exact same day as your normal garbage route. Acceptable materials range from flattened corrugated cardboard and newsprint to rinsed plastic jugs and aluminum beverage cans. It is crucial to remember that recyclables should remain completely loose inside the cart. Never bag your recyclables in garbage sacks, and absolutely refrain from tossing tangled items like garden hoses, wire hangers, or thin plastic grocery bags into the container, as these hazards will instantly jam the processing facility's sorting equipment.
Disposing of Oversized Bulky Materials
When you are replacing old furniture or doing a minor home cleanout, Flint’s sanitation contract includes convenient provisions for large item disposal. Residents are permitted to place up to two bulk items at the curb each week at no additional charge. Acceptable large items include couches, dining tables, and mattresses. However, mattresses and box springs must be completely sealed in protective plastic mattress bags to protect the sanitation workers from potential pests. Furthermore, appliances containing Freon, such as old refrigerators or chest freezers, require professional chemical extraction and a certification tag prior to being hauled away.
Yard Waste Regulations and Scheduling
Managing organic landscaping debris is a seasonal priority for local homeowners. Flint’s compost collection program typically operates from the first week of April through the end of November. During this active growing window, residents can easily dispose of grass clippings, autumn leaves, and small plant trimmings using standard 30-gallon biodegradable kraft paper bags. Alternatively, you may use a personal 32-gallon open container, provided it has an official 'Yard Waste' decal visibly attached to the side. Brush and small branches must be bundled securely with heavy twine, kept under four feet in overall length, and weigh less than 50 pounds per bundle.
Adjustments for National Holidays
The standard refuse schedule is subject to a routine one-day delay whenever major national holidays occur during the workweek. The sanitation provider observes New Year's Day, Memorial Day, the Fourth of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas Day. If a recognized holiday falls on a Tuesday, for instance, all Tuesday routes are pushed to Wednesday, and this cascading schedule delay continues through Saturday. Routes immediately return to normal the following Monday.
Drop-off Facilities
Flint Transfer Station
5125 Dort Hwy, Flint, MI 48505
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I safely dispose of household hazardous chemicals?
Toxic materials like wet latex paint, motor oil, pesticides, and lithium batteries are strictly banned from your curbside carts. You must wait for the Genesee County Metropolitan Planning Commission’s specialized Household Hazardous Waste collection events, which are held periodically throughout the year.
What happens if my trash cart is badly damaged or stolen?
If your city-provided 96-gallon refuse cart or 64-gallon recycling cart cracks, loses a wheel, or is stolen, you must report the issue directly to the City of Flint Waste Division. They will arrange for a replacement or repair depending on the extent of the damage.
How do I report a missed pickup on my street?
If you successfully placed your bins out by 7:00 AM and they were bypassed, you should contact Priority Waste customer service directly or reach out to the City of Flint Blight Elimination Division the very next business morning to request an immediate recovery pickup.