Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Highland Charter Township
Trash Day
Collection runs Monday through Friday, depending on your neighborhood route.
Recycling
Recycling is collected weekly on your regular trash collection day.
Yard Waste
Yard waste is collected weekly on your regular service day from April through the first week of December.
Set Out Time
By 6:30 AM on collection day.
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Residential curbside collection is funded via a special assessment levied directly on your annual property tax bill rather than a separate monthly utility invoice.
Billing Cycle
Included in Property Taxes
Accepted Methods
Online, Mail, In Person, Drop Box, Phone
Pro Tip / Discount
Veterans and poverty property tax exemptions are available for qualifying residents.
Typically Green or Black Cart Bin (Trash)
Trash can be in carts up to 96-gallons or securely bagged in plastic. Paper bags are strictly forbidden for rubbish. Maximum weight is 75 lbs per cart and 50 lbs per bag. Must be at the curb by 6:30 a.m.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Styrofoam
Cart with Lid (Typically Blue or Green with designated lid) Bin (Recycling)
Recycling must be contained within a cart with a lid to protect it from rain and snow. Recyclables should be placed loosely inside; do not bag your recyclables.
Accepted Items
- ✓Newspaper, junk mail, magazines, mixed paper
- ✓Flattened cardboard and boxboard
- ✓Empty aerosol cans, aluminum, and tin
- ✓Plastic bottles, jugs, tubs, and storage containers
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Food-soiled materials
- ✕Wet or weather-damaged paper
Yard Waste Bin
Collected from April through early December. Place in brown kraft paper bags or a 32-gallon clearly marked 'Yard Waste' container. Must be placed 4 feet away from regular rubbish.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings and leaves
- ✓Shrub and brush trimmings
- ✓Branches under 4 inches in diameter and under 4 feet long
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Weekly (Limit 2 items)
Placement
Place bulk items at the curb by 6:30 a.m. alongside your regular trash. If disposing of a refrigerator or freezer, all doors must be completely removed for safety.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture and household appliances
- ✓ Stoves, grills, and hot water tanks
- ✓ Rolled carpet
Not Accepted
- ✕ Concrete, bricks, and heavy construction materials
- ✕ Cyclone fencing and railroad ties
- ✕ Car and truck parts, tires, and engines
- ✕ Hazardous waste, liquid latex paint, and batteries
The two-item weekly limit is included in your standard municipal service. For massive property cleanouts exceeding this limit, residents must rent a temporary roll-off dumpster.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If your scheduled service day falls on or after an observed holiday during the week, collection will be delayed by one day for the remainder of that week.
Yard Waste Exception
Because yard waste is suspended from mid-December to early April, winter holiday delays only affect your standard trash and recycling pickups.
If a designated holiday falls on a weekend, there is no change to the regular Monday-Friday collection schedule.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Spring
April - MayYard waste collection officially begins the first full week of April. Ensure all overwintered debris is packed into kraft bags or marked 32-gallon cans, and keep them 4 feet clear of your trash cart.
Autumn
October - NovemberFall leaf accumulation should be managed using brown yard waste bags. Ensure you complete your final yard cleanup before the seasonal compost pickup ends during the first week of December.
Winter
December - MarchYard waste service is suspended for the winter. During heavy snowstorms, make sure your carts are placed at the end of a shoveled driveway approach so automated trucks can reach them without interference from snowplow mounds.
Local Tips & Community Info
Got Cans and Bottles? Get Cash Back Right Here in Highland!
Did you know you can turn those empty drink containers into a little extra spending money? Michigan has a great bottle deposit law, so keep an eye out for the 10-cent deposit on most cans and bottles. While Highland Charter Township itself doesn't have a dedicated buyback center, you can usually find places that accept them not too far away. Try checking out some of the larger grocery stores in nearby areas like Milford or Waterford, as many have redemption machines. Also, keep an eye out for local scrap yards in the broader Oakland County area; some might accept aluminum cans along with other metals, giving you a chance to clear out some clutter and get a few bucks.
Give Your Gently Used Stuff a Second Life in Highland!
Before you toss out items that are still in good shape, think about giving them a new home! For furniture, clothing, or household goods, the Salvation Army Family Store & Donation Center in Waterford is a popular spot to drop off donations. If you've got building materials, tools, or gently used appliances, Habitat for Humanity ReStore in Pontiac is always looking for items to help fund their building projects. These places are fantastic for keeping good items out of the landfill and helping out others in our community.
Keeping Highland Clean: Watch Out for Illegal Dumping!
Let's all pitch in to keep Highland Charter Township looking its best. If you see someone dumping trash illegally, it's really important to report it. You can usually contact the Township offices or the Oakland County Sheriff's Department non-emergency line to let them know. They take this seriously and want to catch folks who are harming our environment. Also, keep an eye on the Township's website or local news for any upcoming community clean-up events or special collection days for things like electronics or hazardous waste. Working together makes a big difference!
Drop-off Facilities
SOCRRA Troy Transfer Station
995 Coolidge Hwy, Troy, MI 48084
Materials Accepted
Pontiac Transfer Station
1510 E Highwood, Pontiac, MI 48340
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
What time does my trash need to be at the curb in Highland Township?
All trash, recycling, and yard waste must be placed at the curb by 6:30 a.m. on your designated collection day, or you may place it out the night before anytime after 6:00 p.m.
Who do I contact if my trash was missed or my cart is damaged?
For missed pickups, cart replacements, or general service issues, Highland Township residents must contact Priority Waste customer service directly at (855) 927-8365 or (586) 228-1200.
How many bulk items can I throw away each week?
Highland Township's contract with Priority Waste allows homeowners to place a maximum of two (2) large bulk items, such as furniture or appliances, at the curb each week on their standard service day.
Is there a weight limit for my garbage cans?
Yes. To prevent damage to the collection equipment and protect workers, a fully loaded trash cart must not weigh more than 75 pounds, and individual bags placed at the curb must not weigh more than 50 pounds.