Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Garden City
Trash Day
Trash collection runs Monday through Friday, assigned by neighborhood area across the city.
Recycling
Recycling is collected weekly on the same day as regular trash collection.
Yard Waste
Yard waste is picked up weekly on your scheduled trash day from the first full week of April through mid-December.
Set Out Time
By 7:00 AM on collection day (no earlier than 1:00 PM the day before)
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Water and sewer services are billed bi-monthly by the City of Garden City, while residential curbside trash, recycling, and yard waste collection are provided via city contractor Priority Waste.
Billing Cycle
Bi-Monthly
Accepted Methods
Online, Auto-Pay, Phone, Mail, In-Person, Drop Box
Pro Tip / Discount
Qualifying low-income households can apply for utility assistance through the Wayne Metro / GLWA Water Residential Assistance Program (WRAP).
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
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.
Local Tips & Community Info
Curbside Rubbish Guidelines in Garden City
In Garden City, refuse collection is organized efficiently to keep our streets and neighborhoods pristine. All household trash must be securely bagged and placed inside the 95-gallon city-issued toter or a standard garbage container. Bins should be rolled out to the curb or alley line no later than 7:00 AM on your designated collection day. Be sure all materials fit completely within the container, as any items or bags sitting next to the bin will be left behind by the sanitation workers. It is also important to maintain clearance around your containers during winter months, ensuring they are free from snowbanks and not frozen to the ground.
Voluntary Recycling Program & Textiles
Garden City encourages eco-friendly habits through a voluntary curbside recycling initiative. If you wish to participate, you can request a dedicated 65-gallon recycling cart to be delivered to your property. Allowable materials include flattened cardboard, mixed paper, aluminum cans, and clean plastic tubs or jugs. Furthermore, the city has partnered with Simple Recycling to easily divert textiles from landfills. On your regular trash day, you can place clothing and small home goods into specially marked Simple Recycling bags, which are collected at no extra charge to the homeowner.
Yard Debris & Seasonal Compost Schedule
Maintaining a beautiful lawn is easier with Garden City's dedicated compost collection service, which kicks off during the first full week of April and wraps up around the second week of December. During this time frame, residents can dispose of grass clippings, leaves, and small twigs by placing them in brown Kraft paper yard bags or standard 32-gallon trash cans clearly marked with a Yard Waste decal. Remember to place your compost at least five feet away from your regular refuse containers. Avoid using plastic bags for organic materials, as they will strictly be rejected by the drivers.
Disposing of Bulky Furniture and Appliances
When it is time to part with a broken washing machine or an outdated couch, Garden City’s solid waste program includes the weekly pickup of large household items. Residents are permitted to place one bulky object at the curb alongside their regular trash each week without needing to schedule a special appointment. This service covers major appliances, mattresses, and heavy furniture. For safety and environmental compliance, be sure to remove the doors from refrigerators and freezers prior to placing them outside, and rest assured that Freon extraction is handled securely by the contractor.
Holiday Service Interruptions
Certain major holidays will cause a slight shift in your typical waste collection routine. Garden City observes New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. If any of these recognized holidays occur on a weekday, trash and recycling routes will be pushed back by one day for the remainder of that week. If a holiday happens to land on a Saturday or Sunday, your curbside pickup schedule will remain completely unaffected.
Drop-off Facilities
Garden City Department of Public Works
31800 Beechwood, Garden City, MI 48135
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I put extra garbage bags on the ground next to my trash can?
No. The city requires all household refuse to fit completely inside the city-issued 95-gallon toter or an approved container. Any bags left on the ground next to the toter will not be collected by the automated trucks.
How do I get a sticker for my yard waste can?
If you are using a standard 32-gallon container for compost instead of Kraft bags, you can pick up a free Yard Waste decal by visiting the Garden City Public Service Department Office.
What is the Simple Recycling program in Garden City?
Simple Recycling is a free service that collects unwanted clothing, textiles, and small household goods directly from your curb on your regular trash day. You just need to use their provided bags or appropriately label your own plastic bags.