Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Hamburg
Trash Day
Varies by private provider. Hamburg Township does not provide municipal trash collection; residents contract directly with private licensed waste haulers (such as Waste Management, The Garbage Man, Duncan Disposal, or Republic Services) for weekly curbside service.
Recycling
Varies by private provider (typically collected every other week on your designated pickup day).
Yard Waste
Varies by private provider (offered as a seasonal subscription through private haulers, or via local composting sites like Tuthill Farms).
Set Out Time
By 6:00 AM on collection day
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Trash collection is not billed through the township or included on property tax bills; residents set up and pay for service directly with their chosen independent waste hauler.
Billing Cycle
Billed directly by private hauler
Accepted Methods
Online, Auto-Pay, Phone, Mail, Drop Box
Varies by Private Hauler Bin (Trash)
Cart placement, bagging rules, and weight limits vary based on your selected private hauler. Generally, trash must be securely bagged, and carts should be at the curb by 6:00 a.m. on your scheduled pickup day.
Accepted Items
- ✓Everyday household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Cooled and sealed cooking grease
Varies by Private Hauler Bin (Recycling)
Recycling guidelines are dictated by your specific hauler. Materials must typically be placed loosely in the cart. Do not bag your recyclables in plastic.
Accepted Items
- ✓Cardboard and boxboard
- ✓Plastics #1 and #2
- ✓Aluminum and tin cans
- ✓Clean glass bottles (if permitted by your specific hauler)
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic grocery bags
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Hazardous waste
- ✕Yard waste
Yard Waste Bin
Curbside pickup requires a specific subscription with your chosen private hauler. All yard waste must be placed in brown kraft paper bags or clearly marked rigid containers.
Accepted Items
- ✓Fallen leaves
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Small twigs and brush
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Varies by private hauler (Typically 1 item per week if scheduled)
Placement
Follow the exact placement instructions provided by your private hauler when you schedule the pickup. Do not leave bulk items at the curb indefinitely.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture and couches
- ✓ Mattresses (must usually be wrapped)
- ✓ Non-freon appliances
- ✓ Large household junk
Not Accepted
- ✕ Hazardous waste and wet paints
- ✕ Liquid chemicals
- ✕ Tires
- ✕ Heavy construction or demolition debris
Out-of-pocket fees for special bulk pickups are determined by your private hauler. For free disposal, hold onto your items until the Township's Annual Community Clean-Up Day in April.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
Holiday delays are dependent entirely on your specific private hauler (e.g., WM, The Garbage Man). Typically, if a major holiday falls on a weekday on or before your pickup, service is delayed by one day.
Yard Waste Exception
Private haulers suspend seasonal yard waste routes entirely during the winter months, so winter holiday delays only impact standard garbage and recycling routes.
Always refer directly to the annual calendar provided by your specific private hauler to confirm exact holiday collection shifts.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Spring
April - MayThe Township's Annual Community Clean-Up Day takes place in April. Additionally, this is one of the two permitted windows for open leaf burning, provided there are no active drought conditions and you follow fire department rules.
Summer
JulyThe Township hosts the Annual Huron River Clean-Up Day in July. Community members volunteer to clear trash and woody debris from the river, protecting the local watershed and maximizing streamflow.
Autumn
October - NovemberThe second permitted leaf-burning window opens in October. If you prefer not to burn or pay for a hauler subscription, load up your yard waste and take it to the recommended Tuthill Farms composting facility.
Local Tips & Community Info
Selecting a Private Waste Hauler in Hamburg
Unlike many municipalities, Hamburg Township does not operate a single, town-wide trash collection program. Instead, property owners are responsible for securing their own curbside refuse services through independent local contractors, such as The Garbage Man or other regional haulers. Because services vary by company, residents should verify specific collection days, cart size options, and morning set-out times directly with their chosen provider to ensure seamless weekly pickups at their residence.
Strict Prohibition on Burning Household Trash
While rural living might make open burning seem convenient, Hamburg Township adamantly enforces Public Act 102 of 2012. This state law explicitly outlaws the burning of household garbage, particularly materials like plastic, foam, chemically treated lumber, and electronics. Incinerating these items releases toxic pollutants that endanger air quality and public health. All domestic refuse must be securely bagged and handled by your private sanitation company rather than being destroyed on your property.
Navigating Curbside Recycling Programs
Most independent garbage haulers servicing the area include biweekly recycling as part of their standard residential packages. Residents are typically provided with a dedicated recycling cart for co-mingled materials, including plastics, metals, glass, and flattened cardboard. To avoid contamination, it is critical to rinse all containers completely free of food residue. Your contractor will supply a calendar detailing your specific recycling weeks so you know exactly when to push your cart to the curb.
Yard Waste Guidelines and Watershed Protection
Protecting the local chain of lakes is a major priority for the township. Rather than bagging yard debris for curbside removal, officials highly recommend mulching grass clippings and autumn leaves directly into your lawn. This natural process yields a quarter of your lawn's annual fertilizer requirements without introducing harmful phosphorus into the watershed. If you do use a hauler's seasonal yard waste service, all organic material must be placed in brown kraft compost bags or a marked container, never in plastic.
Arranging Bulk Item Pickups with Your Provider
Disposing of oversized items like couches, mattresses, or old appliances requires coordination with your private waste company. Heavy bulk items cannot simply be dragged to the curb on your normal service day. You must contact your hauler's customer service department in advance to schedule a special pickup. Be sure to ask about any specific preparation rules, such as removing the doors from refrigerators, wrapping mattresses in plastic, or weight limitations for the disposal truck.
Drop-off Facilities
Tuthill Farms & Composting
10505 Tuthill Rd, South Lyon, MI 48178
Materials Accepted
Recycle Livingston
170 Catrell St, Howell, MI 48843
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Hamburg Township provide municipal trash collection?
No, the township does not provide municipal solid waste collection. Homeowners must independently hire a private sanitation company, such as The Garbage Man or Waste Management, for weekly service.
Can I burn my household garbage on my property?
No. Under Public Act 102 of 2012, burning household trash, plastics, or chemically treated wood is strictly prohibited in Hamburg Township due to severe health and environmental hazards.
How should I dispose of seasonal yard waste?
The township encourages mulching to protect local lakes, but if you use a private hauler for yard waste, place debris in biodegradable kraft paper bags or a dedicated can marked 'Yard Waste Only.' Do not use plastic bags.