Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Madison Heights
Trash Day
Trash collection runs Monday through Friday, depending on your neighborhood zone according to the city's pickup map.
Recycling
Recycling is collected weekly on your regular trash collection day.
Yard Waste
Yard waste is collected weekly on your regular collection day from mid-March through the first Friday in December.
Set Out Time
By 6:00 AM on collection day
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Residential water and sewer services are billed quarterly by the Finance Department. Setting up recurring auto-pay using a bank account (ACH) has no transaction fee.
Billing Cycle
Quarterly
Accepted Methods
Online, Auto-Pay, Phone, Mail, 24-Hour Drop Box, In Person
Pro Tip / Discount
Low-income assistance is available through the Water Residential Assistance Program (WRAP) and 2-1-1 United Way services.
Typically Grey or Black (96-gallon) Bin (Trash)
Cart-only collection is strictly enforced. All waste must fit entirely inside the 96-gallon cart with the lid closed. Loose garbage bags placed on the ground will not be serviced.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household garbage
- ✓Non-recyclable packaging
- ✓Food waste (if not using compost program)
- ✓Bagged trash (placed inside the cart)
Typically Blue (64-gallon) Bin (Recycling)
Recycling is mandatory in Madison Heights. All recyclables must be clean, dry, and placed loosely into the 64-gallon recycling cart without being bagged.
Accepted Items
- ✓Flattened cardboard and boxboard
- ✓Mixed paper, newspaper, and magazines
- ✓Plastic bottles, jugs, and tubs
- ✓Aluminum and tin cans (including empty aerosol cans)
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags or film
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Pyrex or ceramics
- ✕Wire or plastic hangers
- ✕Soiled pizza boxes
- ✕Batteries
Yard Waste Bin
Yard waste must be placed in 30-gallon Kraft paper bags or in explicitly labeled rigid containers. Yard waste mixed with regular household trash will not be collected.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Small twigs and brush
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Weekly
Placement
Set your single bulk item at the curb by 7:00 a.m. on your designated service day. Ensure it does not block the automated truck's access to your trash cart.
Accepted
- ✓ Couches and mattresses
- ✓ Dressers and vanities
- ✓ Stoves, washers, and dryers
- ✓ Rolled and tied carpet (max 4 feet, under 50 lbs)
- ✓ Small quantities of tied building debris (max 4 feet)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Concrete, bricks, and heavy construction materials
- ✕ Refrigerators or freezers containing Freon
- ✕ Hazardous waste or liquid paints
- ✕ Tree stumps
The single weekly bulk item is included in standard services. However, if you have multiple items, you must call Priority Waste at 586-228-1200 to schedule and pay for a special pickup.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If a recognized holiday falls on a weekday, Priority Waste will delay your collection by one day for the remainder of that week (e.g., Thursday pickups move to Friday).
Yard Waste Exception
Yard waste follows the exact same holiday delay schedule as trash and recycling during its active season (mid-March to early December).
If the holiday falls on a weekend, your standard collection schedule will remain unaffected.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Spring
MarchCurbside yard waste collection officially resumes on the third Monday of March. It's time to prep your garden beds and set out your Kraft paper bags or labeled compost containers.
Summer
June to AugustDuring hot Michigan summers, offensive cart odors can become a nuisance. Be sure to securely double-bag smelly refuse, particularly food waste, before placing it into your 96-gallon cart to deter pests.
Winter
December to FebruaryYard waste pickup officially ends on the first Friday in December. Additionally, keep your trash carts completely clear of snowbanks; drivers need clear access to safely use their automated arm lifts.
Local Tips & Community Info
Transition to Cart-Only Garbage Collection
Madison Heights has modernized its residential sanitation operations by partnering with Priority Waste to implement an industry-standard, cart-only collection system. To ensure clean streets and efficient pickup, all household refuse must fit entirely inside your designated 96-gallon trash cart. Loose garbage bags or extra items left on the ground next to the cart will not be collected by the automated trucks. If your household routinely produces more waste than one cart can handle, you can purchase an additional container by contacting the Department of Public Services (DPS) at 248-589-2294.
Mandatory Curbside Recycling
Recycling is mandatory for residents living in Madison Heights. The city utilizes a convenient commingled system, meaning you can place all of your approved recyclables directly into your designated 64-gallon recycling cart without separating them. Acceptable items include flattened cardboard, mixed junk mail, empty metal cans, aluminum, and clean plastic bottles and jugs. To prevent contamination at the sorting facility, never bag your recyclables in plastic grocery bags, and do not include items like styrofoam or hazardous household waste.
Accommodating Large Bulk Waste
When it comes time to discard an old couch, a broken mattress, or an outdated appliance, Priority Waste allows residents to place out one large bulk item per week alongside their normal carts. For the safety of the collection crews, carpeting must be rolled, tied securely, and cut to lengths of four feet or less, weighing under 50 pounds. If you need to dispose of a refrigerator or freezer, federal law requires that all Freon must be professionally removed and the unit tagged by a certified technician before it can be left at the curb.
Seasonal Yard Waste Collection
A comprehensive yard waste program operates annually from mid-March through the first Friday in December. During this period, homeowners must place grass clippings, dead leaves, and garden debris into 30-gallon biodegradable Kraft paper bags or rigid trash cans clearly marked for compost. Plastic bags are strictly prohibited for yard waste and will be ignored by drivers. Small brush and tree branches can also be collected if they are securely tied into small bundles that are easy for the crew to load.
Household Hazardous Waste and Batteries
Items like liquid latex paint, motor oil, pesticides, and old batteries pose a severe fire hazard to collection trucks and cannot be thrown into your standard bins. Fortunately, Madison Heights residents can safely dispose of up to 100 pounds of household hazardous waste for free by taking it to ERG Environmental Services in Livonia. You must contact ERG Environmental at 734-437-9650 to confirm acceptable materials and operating hours before making the trip.
Assistance for Residents with Disabilities
Recognizing that heavy 96-gallon carts can be difficult to maneuver, Priority Waste offers a special Cart Assistance program for eligible residents who are permanently disabled. If approved, sanitation staff will walk up your driveway, retrieve the carts, empty them, and return them neatly to their storage spot. To qualify, you must have no one else living in the home who can assist you, and you are required to provide a physician's certification with your application to the city.
Impact of Federal Holidays
Priority Waste observes six major federal holidays throughout the year: New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. If one of these recognized holidays falls on a standard weekday, all trash, recycling, and yard waste collections for the remainder of that week will be pushed back by exactly one day. Normal schedules will automatically resume the following Monday.
Drop-off Facilities
ERG Environmental Services (HHW Drop-off)
13040 Merriman Road, Livonia, MI 48150
Materials Accepted
Madison Heights Department of Public Services (DPS)
801 Ajax Drive, Madison Heights, MI 48071
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Who provides trash pickup for Madison Heights?
Priority Waste is the official contracted hauler for all residential garbage, recycling, and yard waste services within the City of Madison Heights.
Can I leave extra trash bags next to my cart?
No. Madison Heights utilizes a strict cart-only collection system. All household trash must fit completely inside your approved 96-gallon cart to be collected.
How do I get rid of an old refrigerator?
You can place it at the curb as your one allowed bulk item for the week, but only after a certified technician has professionally removed the Freon and tagged the appliance.