Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Inkster
Trash Day
Monday through Friday, depending on your assigned neighborhood zone or ward
Recycling
Collected weekly on the same day as your trash collection
Yard Waste
Weekly on your scheduled trash day from early April through mid-December
Set Out Time
By 6:00 AM on collection day
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Residential trash and recycling services are funded via city property taxes and serviced by Priority Waste, whereas municipal water and sewer utilities are billed separately.
Billing Cycle
Included in Property Taxes
Accepted Methods
Online, Mail, In Person, Drop Box
Pro Tip / Discount
Side-door pickup service is available at no extra charge for residents with disabilities upon submitting verification to the city and contractor.
Typically Gray or Black Bin (Trash)
All trash should be bagged before being placed inside the provided cart with the lid completely closed to avoid spillage.
Accepted Items
- ✓Everyday household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Styrofoam and non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Ceramics and broken glass (safely packaged)
Typically Blue or Green Bin (Recycling)
Place all recyclables loosely in the cart. Do not bag recyclables. Ensure containers are emptied and lightly rinsed of food residue.
Accepted Items
- ✓Newspaper, junk mail, and magazines
- ✓Flattened cardboard and boxboard
- ✓Aluminum and tin cans
- ✓Plastic bottles, jugs, tubs, and storage containers
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags or film
- ✕Styrofoam and plastic cups
- ✕Soiled pizza boxes
- ✕Metal or plastic hangers
- ✕Bubble wrap and packing materials
Yard Waste Bin
Must be placed in Kraft paper bags or a maximum 35-gallon container clearly marked as 'Yard Waste'. Plastic bags are strictly prohibited for compost.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Small twigs and branches
- ✓Garden trimmings
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Weekly
Placement
Place bulk items neatly at the curb alongside your regular trash cart on your scheduled pickup day.
Accepted
- ✓ Large furniture (couches, tables, chairs)
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs
- ✓ Household appliances (freon must be properly removed)
- ✓ Large household junk
Not Accepted
- ✕ Hazardous waste (chemicals, wet paint, motor oil)
- ✕ Tires
- ✕ Large-scale construction or demolition debris
Because there is no limit on weekly bulk pickup, residents generally do not face additional fees for standard household large items.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If your scheduled service day falls on or after an observed holiday during the week, your pickup will be delayed by one day for the remainder of that week.
Yard Waste Exception
Yard waste services are halted from mid-December through March, so winter holiday delays only apply to standard refuse and recycling.
If a holiday falls on a weekend, your collection schedule is typically unaffected.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Spring
April - MayCurbside compost and yard waste pickup officially begins in early April. Ensure all seasonal yard cleanup debris is placed in appropriate 35-gallon cans or paper compost bags.
Autumn
October - NovemberAs leaves fall heavily in Wayne County, ensure you are not overpacking your yard waste containers. Stick to the 35-gallon size limit so crews can safely manually lift the bins.
Winter
December - JanuaryCompost collection wraps up in mid-December. However, Priority Waste offers a special three-week collection period immediately following the holidays for natural Christmas trees.
Local Tips & Community Info
Inkster Residential Garbage Collection
The City of Inkster partners with reliable waste management providers like Priority Waste to ensure smooth and efficient residential trash collection. Routine household garbage is collected on a designated day from Monday through Friday, depending on your specific neighborhood. Residents are encouraged to use standard, city-approved rolling carts for weekly disposal. Ensuring your household refuse is securely bagged before placing it in the cart helps keep our streets clean and prevents litter from blowing through local neighborhoods.
Curbside Recycling Guidelines
Recycling is an important part of keeping Inkster green and reducing landfill dependency. The city's curbside recycling program accepts a variety of common materials, including flattened cardboard, mixed paper, junk mail, clean plastic bottles, jugs, aluminum cans, and tin cans. However, you should never put plastic bags, styrofoam, or food-soiled containers in your recycling bin. Rinse all your recyclables before tossing them in, and remember to keep them loose rather than bagging them to ensure they can be processed efficiently at the recycling center.
Yard Waste & Compost Pickup Rules
Seasonal yard waste pickup typically runs from early April through the second week of December. During this period, you can place leaves, grass clippings, and small twigs out on your regular collection day. All yard debris must be placed in standard Kraft paper compost bags or clearly labeled 35-gallon rigid containers. Plastic bags are strictly prohibited for compost materials. If you have brush or branches, they must be bundled securely and cut to manageable lengths so the sanitation crews can easily load them into the truck.
Bulk Waste & Large Item Disposal
Need to get rid of an old couch or a broken appliance? Inkster offers weekly bulk waste collection on your regular trash day. According to current guidelines, there is generally no strict limit on the number of bulk items, but it is always best to notify the waste provider ahead of time for extremely large loads. Acceptable bulk items include furniture, mattresses, and non-freon appliances. Hazardous materials, construction debris, and car parts are not accepted and must be taken to an authorized transfer station or specialized drop-off facility.
Holiday Schedule & Service Delays
Sanitation workers observe several major holidays throughout the year, which can affect your regular pickup schedule. The observed holidays include New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. If a recognized holiday falls on a weekday, trash and recycling collection will be delayed by one day for the remainder of that week. Normal schedules resume the following Monday.
Bin Placement Tips for Seamless Service
Proper cart placement ensures that automated trucks can safely empty your bins without delays. Carts should be placed at the curb by 7:00 AM on your scheduled service day, but not before the evening prior. Keep at least three feet of clearance between your trash cart, recycling bin, yard waste, and any obstacles like parked cars, mailboxes, or utility poles. Ensure the lid is fully closed and the handles are facing your house to facilitate quick pickup.
Drop-off Facilities
J. Fons Co. Transfer Station
6451 E McNichols Rd, Detroit, MI 48212
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
What time should I put out my trash and recycling bins in Inkster?
You should place your bins at the curb by 7:00 AM on your designated collection day. To maintain neighborhood cleanliness, do not leave bins out earlier than the evening before your pickup day.
Is there a limit to how many bulk items I can put out?
Currently, the waste provider for Inkster offers weekly bulk pickup with no strict limits for standard residential households. However, extremely large cleanouts may require a temporary dumpster rental or a call ahead to the disposal company.
How do I report a missed trash pickup in Inkster?
If your trash, recycling, or yard waste was missed, you should directly contact the city's contracted waste provider (such as Priority Waste) customer service line to report the issue and request a recovery pickup.