Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Flint
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.
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
!Contamination Tips
Ditch the Plastic for Recyclables
One of the biggest issues at local sorting facilities is bagged recyclables. Never put your plastics, metals, or paper inside a plastic garbage bag; keep them completely loose in your designated bin so machinery doesn't jam.
Keep Cords and Hoses Out
'Tanglers' like garden hoses, holiday lights, and electrical cords are strictly forbidden in your recycling container. They wrap around the sorting gears and can shut down the entire recycling plant. Throw these in your standard trash instead.
No Dirt, Rocks, or Root Balls in Compost
When preparing yard waste for your weekly Priority Waste pickup, ensure that it only contains organic plant matter. Heavy items like rocks, dirt, sod, and large root balls are unacceptable and will cause your compost bags to be left at the curb.
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.
About Flint Waste Management
Seamless Single-Day Collection System
Flint's partnership with Priority Waste simplifies the weekly routine for residents by aligning all curbside services on the same day. Whether it's your standard household garbage, single-stream recyclables, or seasonal compost, everything goes out on one specific weekday. This unified approach eliminates the confusion of tracking multiple trucks throughout the week and keeps neighborhoods cleaner.
Flint's 'Bag It' Leaf and Compost Program
Maintaining clear storm drains is critical in Flint, which is why the city heavily enforces the 'Bag It' initiative. Under local ordinances, raking autumn leaves directly into the street is strictly prohibited and can result in municipal citations. Instead, residents must use 32-gallon kraft paper bags or clearly marked open compost bins for all yard clippings, ensuring environmental compliance and preventing localized neighborhood flooding.
Generous Weekly Allowances for Household Refuse
Unlike many municipalities that strictly limit residents to a single standardized cart, Flint offers exceptionally accommodating weekly volume allowances. Households can place up to 20 individual garbage bags or personal 40-gallon cans at the curb, provided no single container exceeds 50 pounds. This high capacity makes post-holiday cleanups, yard overhauls, and seasonal decluttering highly convenient without needing to rent a temporary dumpster.
Hassle-Free Weekly Bulk Disposal
Getting rid of large, cumbersome items is remarkably easy for Flint residents. There is no need to make phone calls or pay extra fees to schedule a special pickup. You can simply leave up to three bulk items—such as mattresses, old furniture, or non-Freon appliances—out by 7:00 AM on your standard collection day, and Priority Waste crews will seamlessly handle the rest.
Drop-off Facilities
Flint Transfer Station
5125 Dort Hwy, Flint, MI 48505
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the 'Bag It' rule in Flint?
The 'Bag It' program is a city mandate requiring all residents to bag their autumn leaves and yard clippings rather than raking them into the street. Raking debris into the road blocks storm drains and can lead to immediate citations.
How much garbage can I throw away each week?
Flint has a very generous weekly limit. Each household can place up to 20 bags or personal trash cans out per week. Just ensure that no individual bag or can is larger than 40 gallons or heavier than 50 pounds.
Do I need to schedule an appointment for mattress or furniture pickup?
No appointment is necessary! You are allowed to place up to 3 bulk items—like mattresses, couches, or non-Freon appliances—at the curb every week on your scheduled service day before 7:00 AM.
Why didn't Priority Waste take my yard waste bags?
The most common reasons for rejected yard waste are using plastic bags instead of compostable paper, exceeding the 50-pound weight limit, mixing in unaccepted items like dirt or rocks, or placing it out outside of the April to November collection season.