Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Genesee 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.
Customer Provided (Any Color) Bin (Trash)
ALL trash must be bagged before being placed at the curb or inside a container. Containers and individual bags must not weigh more than 50 pounds. Set out by 7:00 a.m. on Friday.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Safely packaged sharp items
Township-Issued Emterra Bin Bin (Recycling)
Do not bag recyclables; place them loosely in the provided bin. If your bin is damaged, exchange it at the Township Hall.
Accepted Items
- ✓Cardboard and boxboard (flattened)
- ✓Newspaper and office paper
- ✓Clear, brown, and green glass (rinsed)
- ✓Plastic containers (caps removed)
- ✓Tin and aluminum cans
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Motor oil or anti-freeze containers
- ✕Fluorescent bulbs
Yard Waste Bin
Collected April through November. Place in brown yard waste bags or a 30-gallon container marked with a large 'X'. Max weight is 50 lbs. No plastic bags or tree stumps.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Fallen leaves
- ✓Bundled branches (max 4 feet long, 2 inches diameter)
- ✓Garden debris
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Weekly alongside regular collection
Placement
Place acceptable bulk items at the curb by 7:00 a.m. on your designated Friday collection day alongside your standard bagged trash.
Accepted
- ✓ Standard household furniture
- ✓ Mattresses
- ✓ Non-Freon appliances
- ✓ Large bagged household junk
Not Accepted
- ✕ Appliances containing Freon (unless professionally drained)
- ✕ Tires, car parts, and car batteries
- ✕ Concrete, fencing, and construction debris
- ✕ Liquid chemicals and fluorescent bulbs
Included in standard municipal service, but non-compliant items (like Freon appliances or contractor-generated debris) will be left behind and require private disposal.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If a designated holiday falls on or before Friday, pickup will be delayed by one day, moving to Saturday. If the holiday falls on a weekend, your scheduled Friday pickup day will not change.
Yard Waste Exception
Because compost collection is halted from December through March, winter holiday delays only impact standard garbage and recycling routes.
Only the six listed holidays will affect Emterra's collection schedule in Genesee Township.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Ban the Plastic Bag for Recycling
Emterra strictly prohibits plastic grocery bags in the recycling bin. Flexible plastic film wraps around sorting gears at the recycling facility, causing severe damage. Keep all your recyclables loose.
Mark Your Yard Waste Cans
If you choose to use a 30-gallon plastic container for your grass clippings instead of paper bags, you must paint or tape a large 'X' on the side facing the street so drivers can instantly distinguish it from regular household trash.
Solidify Liquid Paint
Free liquids like wet paint and pesticides are banned from the landfill. If you need to dispose of latex paint, mix it with cat litter or sand until it is completely dry and solid. Leave the lid off the can when placing it at the curb so the driver can verify it is dry.
Seasonal Information
Spring
April - MayWeekly compost collection resumes the first week of April. Prepare your overwintered brush by tying it into bundles less than four feet long and weighing under 50 pounds to ensure pickup.
Autumn
October - NovemberFall leaf drop generates heavy yard waste volume. Yard waste service officially concludes at the end of November, so complete your final yard cleanups before the Thanksgiving holiday.
Winter
December - MarchYard waste services are fully suspended. Since the standard collection day is Friday, any major winter holidays (like Christmas or New Year's Day) falling on a weekday will delay your pickup to Saturday.
About Genesee Charter Township Waste Management
Universal Friday Collection with Emterra
Genesee Charter Township streamlines residential waste management by contracting exclusively with Emterra Environmental USA for a universal collection schedule. All township residents have their trash, recycling, and seasonal compost picked up on Fridays. To guarantee service, homeowners must place all materials at the curb by 7:00 a.m. For the safety of sanitation workers, all household refuse must be securely enclosed in plastic bags—even if placed inside a hard-sided container—and individual bags or cans must not exceed 50 pounds.
Single-Stream Recycling and Emterra Rewards
Diverting waste from Genesee County landfills is easy with the township's single-stream recycling program. Residents do not need to sort their paper, glass, plastics, and metal cans. Bins are provided directly by the Township Hall on North Genesee Road. Furthermore, residents can activate a free account with the Emterra Rewards program, which provides local retail discounts and incentives simply for participating in regular curbside recycling.
Seasonal Compost and Yard Waste Guidelines
From the first week of April through the end of November, Emterra provides dedicated weekly yard waste collection alongside regular garbage pickup. Organic debris must be placed in brown kraft yard waste bags or in a 30-gallon plastic container that is visibly marked with an 'X' facing the street. Branches and brush must be tied into manageable bundles, with limbs cut to no more than four feet in length and two inches in diameter.
Navigating Bulk Waste and Prohibited Items
While standard household bulk items are accepted, residents must be aware of strict material bans. Heavy construction debris, fencing, concrete, and tires are completely prohibited at the curb. Additionally, household appliances containing Freon (like older refrigerators or air conditioners) will be rejected unless professionally drained and tagged. For massive cleanouts, residents must rent a temporary roll-off dumpster or transport debris to a local transfer station.
Drop-off Facilities
Flint Transfer Station (Priority Waste)
1301 Consumers Dr, Flint, MI 48505
Materials Accepted
Genesee County Recycle Day Events
Various locations across Genesee County
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
What time should I put my garbage out in Genesee Township?
All trash, recycling, and compost must be set at the curb no later than 7:00 a.m. on your designated Friday pickup day.
How do I get a replacement recycling bin in Genesee?
Recycling bins are distributed by the Township. If your bin is damaged, you must bring it back to the Genesee Township Hall at 7244 N. Genesee Road to receive a replacement.
Can I put my yard waste in plastic bags?
No. Emterra Environmental USA strictly prohibits plastic bags for yard waste. You must use brown kraft yard bags or a 30-gallon plastic container clearly marked with an 'X' facing the street.
Are there any weight limits for my trash cans?
Yes. To ensure the safety of the sanitation workers, no individual trash can, garbage bag, or bundled yard waste may weigh more than fifty (50) pounds. Furthermore, all loose trash must be bagged before being placed inside a can.