Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Highland 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.
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
!Contamination Tips
Never Use Paper Bags for Trash
While paper bags are the standard for yard waste, Highland Township guidelines strictly forbid placing regular household rubbish in paper bags at the curb. Standard garbage must be placed in plastic bags or directly inside your 96-gallon cart.
Keep the Lid Closed on Recycling
Moisture is the enemy of cardboard and paper recycling. If you leave your recycling cart open during a Michigan rain or snowstorm, the saturated materials become contaminated and will have to be diverted to the landfill.
Watch Your Branch Sizes
Priority Waste requires all branches and brush trimmings to be cut down to less than 4 feet in length and under 4 inches in diameter. Oversized branches, root balls, and tree stumps will damage the compactor trucks and will not be collected.
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.
About Highland Charter Township Waste Management
Highland Township's Comprehensive Waste Services
Highland Charter Township partners with Priority Waste to deliver streamlined curbside solid waste collection for all residents in this Oakland County community. Households are allowed to use standardized carts up to 96 gallons in size, but must adhere to strict weight regulations to prevent equipment damage. A fully loaded cart cannot exceed 75 pounds, and individual bags must remain under 50 pounds. Because routing can vary, all materials must be positioned at the curb no later than 6:30 a.m. on your designated service day.
Single-Stream Recycling Expectations
Keeping recyclables dry and uncontaminated is a major focus for Priority Waste. Highland residents are required to place their clean paper, cardboard, plastics, and metal cans inside a recycling cart with a closed lid. Rain, snow, and environmental debris can quickly ruin cardboard and paper products, turning them into unrecyclable waste. It is also crucial to keep your recycling cart at least three feet away from your rubbish bin and nearby mailboxes so the automated truck arms can safely retrieve it.
Generous Weekly Bulk Waste Allowance
Disposing of large household items is exceptionally convenient in Highland Township. Residents are entitled to place up to two bulk items at the curb every single week on their standard rubbish collection day. Accepted items include rolled carpet, household furniture, hot water tanks, and large appliances like stoves or refrigerators. For neighborhood safety, all doors must be completely removed from refrigerators and freezers before they are placed outside.
Seasonal Yard Waste Collection Limits
Managing organic debris is critical during Michigan's changing seasons. Highland Township’s compost and yard waste pickup runs consistently from the first full week of April through the first week of December. Residents must use 32-gallon containers clearly marked with a 'Yard Waste' sticker or standard biodegradable kraft paper bags. While leaves, grass, and small shrub trimmings are accepted, heavy debris like sod, dirt, root balls, and large tree stumps are strictly banned and will be left at the curb.
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.