Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Monroe
Trash Day
Trash is collected weekly, Monday through Thursday, based on your neighborhood zone.
Recycling
Recycling is collected weekly on the same day as your regular trash service.
Yard Waste
Collected weekly on your normal collection day from the first full week of April through the second full week of December.
Set Out Time
By 6:00 AM on collection day
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Standard residential trash and recycling services are funded through the City's refuse millage on your property taxes, while city water and sewer utilities are billed quarterly.
Billing Cycle
Included in Property Taxes
Accepted Methods
Online, Auto-Pay, Mail, Drop Box, In-Person
Pro Tip / Discount
Property tax hardship exemptions are available through the Assessing Department for eligible low-income homeowners; no separate trash discounts apply.
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
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.
Local Tips & Community Info
City of Monroe Weekly Garbage Collection
Residential refuse management in the City of Monroe is serviced through an exclusive contract with Stevens Disposal. The city is divided into four distinct collection zones, with standard curbside pickup taking place Monday through Thursday. Every eligible property is assigned one large 96-gallon wheeled cart specifically for household trash. If a single bin does not meet your family's needs, you can request a second refuse cart entirely free of charge. Be aware that the municipality strictly prohibits placing loose garbage bags on the curb; all household waste must be securely contained inside the provided Stevens Disposal carts to ensure a clean neighborhood and prevent litter.
Curbside Recycling Program Rules
To promote sustainability, Monroe offers a comprehensive weekly recycling program that runs parallel to your standard garbage schedule. Homeowners are issued a separate 96-gallon recycling cart upon request. The facility uses a single-stream sorting method, which means you can mix cardboard, clean plastics, aluminum cans, and glass in the same bin. To prevent machinery jams at the recovery facility, residents must never bag their recyclables in plastic grocery sacks. Furthermore, please rinse out food containers and pizza boxes beforehand, as heavily contaminated cardboard will be rejected at the curb.
Scheduling a Friday Bulk Item Pickup
Getting rid of heavy furniture, worn-out mattresses, or large appliances requires a slightly different process. In Monroe, all oversized bulk collections take place exclusively on Fridays, regardless of your normal trash day. Homeowners are permitted to discard up to two bulk items per week at no extra cost. However, you must proactively schedule this service. To get on the Friday route, residents must call the Department of Public Services (DPS) at 734-384-9125 no later than 12:00 p.m. (noon) on Thursday. If a major holiday falls during the week, the bulk pickup route will shift to Saturday.
Seasonal Yard Waste Operations
Maintaining your property's landscaping is supported by the city's seasonal yard waste program. Weekly vegetation pickup begins the first full week of April and concludes after the second full week of December, weather permitting. During these active months, you can set out grass clippings, leaves, and small brush alongside your regular bins. Outside of this designated window, standard garbage trucks will not haul away organic yard debris, so residents will need to explore private composting solutions or wait until spring collection resumes.
Holiday Service Delays and Missed Bins
Stevens Disposal observes six major holidays: New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas Day. If any of these holidays fall between Monday and Thursday, all subsequent trash and recycling routes for that week will be delayed by one full day. If you believe your property was accidentally skipped on a regular service day, the city advises against waiting. Instead, phone the Department of Public Services immediately at 734-384-9125 so staff can dispatch a contractor to resolve the issue.
Drop-off Facilities
City of Monroe Department of Public Services (DPS)
Monroe, MI 48161
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I leave extra garbage bags next to my Stevens Disposal cart?
No. The City of Monroe does not permit loose garbage bags on the curb. All trash must fit inside the 96-gallon wheeled carts. You may request a second cart free of charge if needed.
How do I arrange for appliance or furniture removal in Monroe?
You must call the Department of Public Services at 734-384-9125 before noon on Thursday to schedule a bulk pickup. The actual collection will take place on Friday.
When does the city pick up leaves and grass clippings?
Seasonal yard waste collection runs weekly from the first full week of April through the second full week of December.