Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Frenchtown Charter Township
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.
Brown Cart Bin (Trash)
All household garbage must fit inside the designated brown cart. Carts must be placed at the curb the night before or no later than 6:00 a.m. on collection day.
Accepted Items
- ✓Everyday household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Standard non-recyclable packaging
- ✓Bagged pet waste
Satellite Drop-off Only (No Curbside Bin) Bin (Recycling)
Curbside recycling was eliminated. Residents must take accepted recyclables to the Staples parking lot satellite center (2145 N Telegraph Rd) on Wednesdays between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m.
Accepted Items
- ✓Cardboard and paperboard
- ✓Clean plastic containers
- ✓Metal cans
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Household garbage
- ✕Hazardous chemicals
Yard Waste Bin
Place strictly in Blue Yard Waste Carts, brown kraft paper bags, or a labeled 32-gallon can. Plastic bags are strictly prohibited for yard waste.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Fallen leaves
- ✓Garden debris
- ✓Tied tree branches (under 4 feet long and 2 inches in diameter)
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Scheduled basis on Tuesdays or Thursdays
Placement
Do not place items at the curb until the day before your scheduled Tuesday or Thursday bulk pickup. You must call or email by 3:00 p.m. the day prior to schedule.
Accepted
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs
- ✓ Household furniture
- ✓ Tagged appliances (Freon removed)
- ✓ Large general household junk
Not Accepted
- ✕ Liquid-filled containers
- ✕ Building and construction materials (wood, concrete, asphalt)
- ✕ Automotive parts and tires
- ✕ Hazardous waste materials
Bulk item pickup is included for residents if properly scheduled in advance with Stevens Disposal or the Frenchtown Supervisor's Office.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If one of the six major observed holidays falls on a scheduled Monday through Friday collection day, your trash service will be delayed by one day for the remainder of that week.
Yard Waste Exception
During its active season (April to December), yard waste follows the exact same holiday delay schedule as standard garbage.
If a holiday falls on a weekend, your standard weekday collection schedule will not be impacted.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Don't Mix Carts
Frenchtown uses a strict color-coded system: brown carts are for garbage only, and blue carts are for yard waste only. Mixing standard household trash into your blue yard waste cart will result in the cart being rejected at the curb.
Tag Your Refrigerators
If you schedule a bulk pickup for a refrigerator or freezer, it cannot simply be dragged to the curb. By law, the appliance must have all refrigerants (Freon) completely removed and be officially tagged by a licensed technician before Stevens Disposal can load it.
Avoid Unscheduled Bulk Piles
Setting out a mattress or couch without calling ahead disrupts the automated truck routes, as standard garbage trucks cannot lift these items. Always email [email protected] or call ahead by 3:00 p.m. the day before your designated zone pickup.
Seasonal Information
Spring
AprilThe seasonal yard waste collection program typically activates in mid-April. Ensure you have obtained your free yard waste labels from the Township Hall or Frenchtown Libraries for your personal 32-gallon compost cans.
Autumn
October - NovemberHeavy leaf fall requires diligent bagging. Leaves cannot be raked directly into the street. They must be placed in blue carts, kraft paper bags, or labeled cans before the season officially concludes in early December.
Winter
JanuaryFollowing the holidays, Stevens Disposal runs a dedicated Christmas tree collection. Trees are generally picked up on your normal collection day from January 2nd through January 16th. Ensure all lights and decorations are fully removed.
About Frenchtown Charter Township Waste Management
Frenchtown's Transition to Satellite Recycling
In late 2019, Frenchtown Charter Township made a major shift in its solid waste program by officially eliminating curbside recycling due to high nationwide processing costs and contamination rates. Instead of placing recyclables at the curb, eco-conscious residents in Monroe County can now utilize a convenient satellite drop-off recycling center. This center operates exclusively on Wednesdays from 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. in the Staples parking lot on North Telegraph Road.
Automated Brown Cart Garbage Collection
Stevens Disposal manages all residential garbage collection in Frenchtown utilizing an advanced automated truck system. Because of the mechanical lifting arms, all household trash must be placed exclusively inside the township-provided brown carts. Carts are registered to specific addresses by serial numbers and must remain with the property if you move. Residents are allowed a maximum of three brown carts per household, and any missing carts require a formal police report before they will be replaced.
Zone-Based Bulk Trash Scheduling
Disposing of large household items requires strict advanced scheduling through Stevens Disposal or the Township Supervisor's Office. Bulk collection is divided into two distinct zones based on your normal garbage day. If your standard trash day falls on a Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday, your bulk pickup occurs on Tuesday (must schedule by 3:00 p.m. Monday). If your trash day is Thursday or Friday, your bulk collection happens on Thursday (must schedule by 3:00 p.m. Wednesday). Items should not be left at the curb prior to the day before your scheduled bulk pickup.
Seasonal Blue Cart Yard Waste Program
Keeping Frenchtown Township clean during the growing season is easy with the dedicated yard waste collection program, running from mid-April through early December. Organic debris must be placed in a dedicated blue yard waste cart, biodegradable brown paper leaf bags, or a standard 32-gallon can sporting a free Township-issued 'Yard Waste' label. All brush and tree branches require special preparation: they must be cut to less than four feet in length, be no thicker than two inches in diameter, and tied into neat bundles.
Drop-off Facilities
Frenchtown Satellite Recycling Center
2145 N Telegraph Road (Staples Parking Lot), Monroe, MI 48162
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Frenchtown stop picking up recycling at the curb?
In December 2019, Frenchtown Charter Township eliminated curbside recycling due to rising processing costs and high contamination rates nationwide. Residents can now recycle by taking their materials to the satellite drop-off center in the Staples parking lot every Wednesday.
How do I schedule a large item for bulk pickup with Stevens Disposal?
You must schedule bulk pickup in advance by calling 800-779-0344 or emailing [email protected]. If your regular trash day is Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday, schedule by 3:00 p.m. Monday for a Tuesday pickup. If your trash day is Thursday or Friday, schedule by 3:00 p.m. Wednesday for a Thursday pickup.
What happens if someone steals my brown garbage cart?
The brown garbage carts are property of the hauler and are assigned to your specific address by serial number. If your cart is stolen, Stevens Disposal will not issue a replacement cart until you file an official police report.
What are the rules for throwing away tree branches in Frenchtown?
Tree branches cannot simply be tossed loosely at the curb. They must be cut so they are no longer than four feet and no thicker than two inches in diameter. Finally, they must be tied into neat, manageable bundles for the yard waste crews to handle.