Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Monroe
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.
96-Gallon Wheeled Refuse Cart Bin (Trash)
All household garbage must be bagged and fit completely inside the provided 96-gallon cart with the lid closed. Loose bags outside the cart are not allowed.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household garbage
- ✓Non-recyclable packaging
- ✓Food waste
- ✓General domestic refuse
96-Gallon Wheeled Recycling Cart Bin (Recycling)
Collected weekly. All recyclables must be clean, empty, and placed loosely inside the cart without plastic bags to prevent machinery jams.
Accepted Items
- ✓Flattened cardboard and boxboard
- ✓Newspaper, magazines, and mixed office paper
- ✓Rigid plastic containers and jugs
- ✓Clean glass bottles and jars
- ✓Aluminum and tin cans
Do NOT Include
- ✕Waxed or plastic-coated boxboard
- ✕Greasy food-soiled pizza boxes
- ✕Plastic shopping bags and film
- ✕Cans containing food residue
Yard Waste Bin
Collected weekly in season (April through December). Must be in brown paper yard waste bags or designated rigid cans. Plastic bags are strictly prohibited.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Fallen leaves
- ✓Garden debris
- ✓Small twigs and branches
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Weekly on Fridays (Requires prior scheduling)
Placement
Place scheduled bulk items at the curb by your regular collection timeline ahead of Friday. Unscheduled items will be left behind.
Accepted
- ✓ Household furniture (sofas, tables, chairs)
- ✓ Mattresses (must be completely wrapped in plastic and taped shut)
- ✓ Approved large household items
Not Accepted
- ✕ Unwrapped mattresses
- ✕ Hazardous chemical waste
- ✕ Automotive parts and tires
- ✕ Unauthorized construction debris
Standard bulk collection for up to two items per week is included under the city contract when scheduled by noon on Thursday.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
Following any of the six major holidays falling Monday through Thursday, collection for that day and subsequent days of the week will be delayed by one day.
Yard Waste Exception
Seasonal yard waste collection follows the standard holiday delay rules when holidays occur during the active April-December compost window.
If a major holiday falls during the week, city-wide bulk item collection, which normally occurs on Fridays, will be postponed to Saturday.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Ban the Pizza Box
Grease and cheese residue ruin cardboard fibers during recycling pulping. Greasy pizza boxes and wax-coated boxboard are strictly prohibited from Monroe's recycling carts and must go in the trash.
Wrap All Mattresses in Plastic
For sanitation and pest control purposes during Friday bulk collections, any mattress or box spring placed at the curb must be completely wrapped in plastic and securely taped shut.
Keep Plastic Film Out
Plastic shopping bags and flexible film wrap around sorting equipment gears at the recycling facility, causing costly shutdowns. Never bag your recyclables or toss loose film into the yellow/blue bins.
Seasonal Information
Spring
AprilWeekly yard waste collection officially begins the first full week of April, weather permitting. Prepare your early spring garden debris in brown kraft paper bags for curbside pickup.
Autumn
October - DecemberHeavy leaf accumulation is managed through weekly compost pickups that run right up until the second full week of December, when seasonal yard waste operations pause for the winter.
Winter
January - MarchDuring heavy winter snowstorms, ensure your 96-gallon carts are placed on level ground within two feet of the street, clear of snowbanks, so automated truck arms can safely service them.
About Monroe Waste Management
Unified Refuse Management with Stevens Disposal
The City of Monroe partners with Stevens Disposal to deliver comprehensive residential waste and recycling collection. The city is geographically divided into four distinct collection sections operating Monday through Thursday. Every residential parcel is provided with a 96-gallon wheeled refuse cart, and homeowners can request a second trash cart free of charge. Loose bags are strictly prohibited at the curb, ensuring neighborhoods remain tidy and free of wind-blown debris.
Weekly Single-Stream Recycling Carts
Sustainability is a cornerstone of Monroe’s solid waste program, featuring weekly curbside recycling alongside trash collection. Every property is provided with a 96-gallon wheeled recycling cart free of charge upon request. Stevens Disposal collects these carts weekly, allowing residents to commingle clean cardboard, paper, glass, and rigid plastics. To ensure processing at the recovery facility, all items must remain unbagged and completely loose inside the cart.
City-Wide Friday Bulk Item Pickups
Disposing of large household items in Monroe is handled through a dedicated city-wide Friday bulk collection schedule. Each residential parcel is permitted up to two bulk items per week. To utilize this service, homeowners must contact the Department of Public Services (DPS) at (734) 384-9125 no later than 12:00 noon on Thursday to be added to the weekly list. For health and safety compliance, all discarded mattresses must be completely wrapped in plastic and taped shut.
Seasonal Curbside Yard Waste Services
Managing organic debris throughout the changing Michigan seasons is streamlined through Monroe's dedicated yard waste program. Weekly curbside compost collection typically begins during the first full week of April, weather permitting, and runs continuously through the second full week of December. Residents must pack organic matter into biodegradable brown kraft paper bags or marked rigid containers, keeping them clear of regular household carts.
Drop-off Facilities
City of Monroe Department of Public Services (DPS)
Monroe, MI 48161
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I schedule a bulk item pickup in the City of Monroe?
You must contact the Department of Public Services (DPS) at 734-384-9125 no later than 12:00 noon on Thursday to be added to the city-wide Friday bulk collection list.
Can I leave extra bags of trash outside my 96-gallon cart?
No. Loose bags of trash are no longer permitted at the curb. All household refuse must fit inside your provided 96-gallon wheeled cart with the lid completely closed.
What special rule applies when throwing away an old mattress?
To protect sanitation workers and maintain hygiene standards, all mattresses and box springs slated for Friday bulk disposal must be completely wrapped in plastic and taped shut.
Who do I call if my trash or recycling cart is missed?
For immediate resolution, residents are encouraged to phone the Department of Public Services directly at 734-384-9125 so staff can coordinate with Stevens Disposal.