Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Gaines 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.
Resident-provided (30-gallon max) Bin (Trash)
Use 30-gallon plastic or metal containers with handles, or heavy-duty plastic bags. Containers must not exceed 50 lbs. Place at the curb by 6:00 a.m. on Thursday.
Accepted Items
- ✓Bagged general refuse
- ✓Standard household trash
- ✓Non-recyclable food packaging
18-gallon green bin Bin (Recycling)
Collected every other Thursday based on your location relative to Reid Rd. Must be set at curbside in the approved 18-gallon green bins by 6:00 a.m.
Accepted Items
- ✓Plastics
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Metal cans
- ✓Paper and cardboard
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Food waste
- ✕Hazardous materials
Yard Waste Bin
Use yard waste paper bags or clearly marked 30-gallon containers. Bundles must be securely tied, under 3 ft long and 24 inches in diameter. Max 50 lbs per item. Collected every other week.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Brush and branches (under 3 inches in diameter)
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
One item per week
Placement
Must be placed at the curb by 6:00 a.m. on Thursday after calling to schedule.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture
- ✓ Mattresses
- ✓ Appliances (Freon removed)
- ✓ Carpet bundles (4ft max length, 50 lbs max)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Tires and large auto parts
- ✕ Construction or roofing materials
- ✕ Demolition material or concrete
- ✕ Stumps or railroad ties
The weekly bulk item is free, but you MUST call WM Customer Service at 1-800-796-9696 to schedule the pickup in advance.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If a recognized holiday falls on or before Thursday, collection will be delayed by one day, moving the standard Thursday pickup to Friday.
Yard Waste Exception
Bi-weekly yard waste and recycling collections follow the exact same holiday delay schedule as standard household trash.
If a holiday falls on a weekend (Saturday or Sunday), your scheduled Thursday pickup day will not change.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Do Not Hide Landscape Timbers
Treated wood, landscape timbers, rocks, and dirt are strictly prohibited from the yard waste collection. Mixing heavy or treated materials into compost bags will result in a rejected pickup.
Keep Carpet Bundles Small
If you are disposing of old carpet as your weekly bulk item, it must be cut into sections no longer than four feet, securely tied, and weigh less than 50 pounds per bundle. Loose carpet will be left on the curb.
Evacuate Freon Before Pickup
Waste Management will not collect refrigerators, freezers, or air conditioners that still contain Freon. The refrigerant must be professionally removed and the appliance appropriately tagged before scheduling a bulk pickup.
Seasonal Information
Spring
AprilBi-weekly yard waste collection officially commences around April 15th. This is an excellent time to stop by the Township Hall to pick up your three annual dump passes for the Venice Park Landfill to clear out winter debris.
Autumn
October - NovemberFall leaf collection follows the standard every-other-week yard waste schedule and concludes approximately November 30th. Ensure all leaves are bagged in Kraft paper sacks; loose piles raked into the street will not be collected.
Winter Holidays
November - JanuaryMajor holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas delay Thursday pickups to Friday. Ensure your trash and recycling are out by 6:00 a.m. on the delayed collection day.
About Gaines Township Waste Management
Comprehensive Waste Management in Gaines Township
Gaines Township partners with Waste Management (WM) to provide a streamlined, weekly solid waste collection program for residents in Genesee County. To ensure all neighborhoods are serviced efficiently before the local landfill closes, all household refuse, recycling, and yard waste must be placed at the curb by 6:00 a.m. on Thursdays, which serves as the universal collection day for the entire township.
The Reid Road Recycling Divide
A unique geographical feature of the Gaines Township recycling program is the Reid Road dividing line. Because curbside recycling is collected on an every-other-week basis using 18-gallon green bins, the township is split into two alternating zones. Residents living on Reid Road and northward have their recyclables collected on the opposite week from those living south of Reid Road, balancing the load for WM drivers and ensuring consistent service.
Exclusive Venice Park Landfill Passes
One of the most valuable benefits included in the Gaines Township waste contract is the annual dump pass program. Every household is entitled to three complimentary passes per year, which can be picked up at the Township Hall on Grand Blanc Road. Each pass allows residents to haul one truckload or equivalent trailer load of household trash or compost directly to the Venice Park Landfill at no extra charge, making spring cleaning significantly easier.
Scheduling Your Free Weekly Bulk Pickup
While many municipalities charge extra for large items, Gaines Township allows every residential unit to dispose of one bulk item—such as a piece of furniture, a mattress, or an appliance—every week for free. However, this is not an automatic service. Residents are strictly required to call WM Customer Service at 1-800-796-9696 in advance to schedule the pickup so that the appropriate truck is dispatched to your address.
Bi-Weekly Yard Waste Regulations
Running concurrently with the trash schedule on Thursdays, yard waste is picked up every other week from mid-April through the end of November. To participate, organic debris must be placed in compostable Kraft paper bags, clearly marked 30-gallon containers, or tied into manageable bundles. To protect sanitation workers, no bundle or container can exceed 50 pounds, and branches must be strictly under three inches in diameter.
Drop-off Facilities
Venice Park Landfill
9536 E Lennon Rd, Lennon, MI 48449
Materials Accepted
Gaines Township Hall (For Dump Passes)
9255 Grand Blanc Rd, Gaines, MI 48436
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
What time does my trash need to be at the curb in Gaines Township?
All trash, recycling, and yard waste must be placed at the curb by 6:00 a.m. on Thursdays. Because Waste Management drivers must reach the landfill before it closes, bins set out late will not be picked up until the following week.
How do I know which week is my recycling week?
Recycling is collected every other week on Thursdays. The schedule depends on where you live: residents on Reid Road and northward are serviced on the opposite week from residents living south of Reid Road. You can check the exact calendar at the Township Hall.
Do I have to pay extra to throw away a couch or mattress?
No, your standard waste service includes the collection of one large bulk item per week at no extra charge. However, you are strictly required to call Waste Management at 1-800-796-9696 to schedule the pickup in advance.
How do I get my free landfill passes?
Each household in Gaines Township is entitled to three free dump passes per year for the Venice Park Landfill. You can pick these passes up at the Gaines Township Hall, located at 9255 Grand Blanc Rd, during normal business hours.