Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Garden City
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.
Typically green or dark colored (95-gallon cart) Bin (Trash)
Place your trash cart at the curb by 7:00 AM on your collection day. Ensure carts are placed properly to allow for automated truck arms.
Accepted Items
- ✓Everyday household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Non-recyclable packaging
- ✓Bagged household debris
Varies (65-gallon cart upon request) Bin (Recycling)
Recycling is voluntary. Recyclables should be loose in the cart (not bagged), lightly rinsed, and completely free of food residue.
Accepted Items
- ✓Flattened cardboard and paperboard
- ✓Newspapers, junk mail, and magazines
- ✓Steel, tin, and aluminum cans
- ✓Clear and colored glass
- ✓Plastic jugs and bottles (#1 - #7)
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags or film
- ✕Paper milk or juice cartons
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Medical waste or syringes
- ✕Electrical cords and garden hoses
Yard Waste Bin
Use brown Kraft paper yard bags or a 32-gallon container marked with a 'Yard Waste' sticker. Must be placed 5 feet away from regular trash.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Small twigs and branches
- ✓Garden debris
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
One item per week on your regular trash day
Placement
Place your one permitted bulk item at the curb alongside your regular trash by 7:00 AM on your normal collection day.
Accepted
- ✓ Washers and dryers
- ✓ Hot water tanks and freezers (doors removed)
- ✓ Couches, chairs, and tables
- ✓ Dressers
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs (wrapped in plastic)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Concrete or bricks
- ✕ Tires
- ✕ Hazardous waste or chemicals
- ✕ Liquid paints
- ✕ Large quantities of construction debris
There is no additional charge for your one designated bulk item per week.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If your scheduled pickup day falls on or after a major holiday during the workweek, services will be pushed back one day.
Yard Waste Exception
Yard waste collection completely ceases around the second week of December and does not occur during the winter holidays, aside from the special Christmas Tree pickup window.
Weekend holidays usually do not affect the Monday-Friday collection schedule.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Protect Workers with Mattress Bags
If you are disposing of a mattress or box spring as your single weekly bulk item, Garden City requires it to be fully encasing in a mattress bag or wrapped tightly in plastic to protect waste workers from bedbugs and biohazards.
Remove Refrigerator Doors
Before placing old refrigerators or freezers at the curb for your weekly large-item pickup, you are legally required to completely remove the doors and interior racks to prevent child entrapment hazards.
Do Not Mix Compost and Garbage
Mixing dirt, grass, or twigs into your standard garbage bin is prohibited. Furthermore, your properly bagged yard waste must be placed a minimum of 5 feet away from your trash carts to ensure the correct truck collects it.
Seasonal Information
Spring
AprilWeekly compost and yard waste pickup officially resumes during the first full week of April. Ensure your early spring cleanup materials are in brown Kraft bags or appropriately stickered 32-gallon cans.
Winter
Late December to JanuaryPriority Waste provides a special Christmas tree pickup window for Garden City residents, typically running from December 26th through January 15th. Ensure all lights, ornaments, and stands are completely removed.
Year-Round
All MonthsIf a major holiday falls on or before your service day during the business week, your regular trash and recycling collection will be delayed by exactly one day for that week.
About Garden City Waste Management
Recent Transition to Priority Waste in Garden City
In mid-2024, Garden City officially transitioned its municipal solid waste services to Priority Waste. This change was designed to ensure that residential garbage, compost, and recycling collections continue smoothly without interrupting daily life. Residents can continue using their existing carts, and the primary collection routes operate Monday through Friday. Just remember to have all of your bins set at the curb by 7:00 AM on your designated service day.
Voluntary Curbside Recycling Program
Unlike some neighboring Wayne County municipalities with automatic recycling enrollment, Garden City operates on a voluntary curbside recycling basis. If you wish to participate and help reduce landfill usage, you must request a specialized 65-gallon rolling recycle cart directly from Priority Waste. Once registered, you can recycle flattened cardboard, metals, clear or colored glass, and standard household plastics marked #1 through #7.
Hassle-Free Weekly Bulk Item Pickup
Decluttering your home in Garden City is incredibly convenient thanks to the generous weekly bulk pickup allowance. Every household is permitted to place one large, bulky item—such as an old washing machine, a broken couch, or a mattress—at the curb on their regular service day at no extra cost. There's no need to call ahead or schedule a special pickup, making weekend cleanouts significantly easier.
Strict Yard Waste Separation Rules
Garden City runs a robust seasonal composting program from early April through mid-December. To guarantee pickup, residents must place yard waste in brown Kraft paper bags or a standard 32-gallon can visibly marked with a 'Yard Waste' sticker (which can be obtained via the DPW). A critical local rule to remember: your compost materials must be placed at least 5 feet away from your regular household refuse so drivers can easily distinguish the loads.
Drop-off Facilities
Garden City Department of Public Works
31800 Beechwood, Garden City, MI 48135
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a recycling bin in Garden City, MI?
Garden City utilizes a voluntary recycling program. To participate, you need to order a 65-gallon cart online through Priority Waste's website. Please note that purchase and shipping fees may apply for the cart.
When does yard waste pickup start and end in Garden City?
Yard waste is collected weekly on your normal trash day starting the first full week of April and ending around the second week of December. Remember to keep it at least 5 feet from your regular trash.
Do I need to schedule a bulk trash pickup ahead of time?
No, Priority Waste allows Garden City residents to place one large bulk item (such as a couch or appliance) at the curb every week on their standard collection day without any prior scheduling or phone calls.
Who handles the trash collection for Garden City, Michigan?
Priority Waste is the official residential waste and recycling hauler for Garden City. You can reach their customer service directly at 586-228-1200 for any missed pickups or cart repairs.