Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Oakland 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.
Varies by Private Hauler Bin (Trash)
Cart sizes, weight limits, and bagging requirements vary based on the private hauler you hire. Generally, trash must be bagged securely and fit entirely inside the cart with the lid closed to deter local wildlife.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓General packaging materials
Varies by Private Hauler Bin (Recycling)
Recycling rules are dictated by your private hauler. Materials must typically be placed loosely in the cart. Do not bag your recyclables. Rinsing containers prevents cross-contamination of paper goods.
Accepted Items
- ✓Plastics #1, 2, 4, 5 & 7 (empty and rinsed)
- ✓Newspaper, office paper, and junk mail
- ✓Glass jugs, bottles, and jars
- ✓Aluminum and metal cans
- ✓Milk and juice cartons
- ✓Cardboard (cut to pieces 2 feet by 2 feet or smaller)
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic grocery bags
- ✕Styrofoam (EPS)
- ✕Hazardous chemicals
- ✕Food-soiled cardboard (like greasy pizza boxes)
Yard Waste Bin
Requires a seasonal subscription with your private hauler. All yard waste must be placed in brown kraft paper bags or clearly marked rigid containers. Plastic bags are universally prohibited.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Fallen leaves
- ✓Small twigs and brush
- ✓General organic landscaping debris
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Varies by private hauler (Often 1 item per week if scheduled)
Placement
Follow the exact placement instructions provided by your private hauler. Typically, bulk items should be placed at the curb by 7:00 a.m. on your approved, scheduled pickup day.
Accepted
- ✓ Household furniture
- ✓ Mattresses
- ✓ Non-freon appliances
- ✓ Large general junk
Not Accepted
- ✕ Hazardous waste and wet paints
- ✕ Liquid chemicals and oils
- ✕ Tires
- ✕ Freon appliances (unless professionally drained)
Out-of-pocket fees and weekly limits for special bulk pickups are determined entirely by your private hauler's contract or your HOA's negotiated community agreement.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
Private haulers in Oakland Township observe the six major national holidays. If a holiday falls on a weekday on or before your pickup day, service is typically delayed by one day for the remainder of that week.
Yard Waste Exception
Private haulers suspend seasonal yard waste routes entirely during the winter, so winter holiday delays only impact standard garbage and recycling collections.
Because Oakland Township operates an open market, always verify directly with your chosen private hauler (or HOA management) for exact holiday schedule adjustments.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Size Down Your Cardboard
Whether utilizing the Eagle Valley Landfill drop-off or your curbside hauler, oversized cardboard boxes create major processing jams. Always flatten and cut your corrugated cardboard down to pieces no larger than 2 feet by 2 feet before recycling.
Skip the Styrofoam and Plastic Bags
Regardless of whether you use Waste Management or Priority Waste, flexible plastic grocery bags and expanded polystyrene (Styrofoam) are universally banned from curbside recycling in Oakland Township because they tangle in sorting screens.
Keep Electronics Out of the Cart
Standard desktop computers, monitors, and electronic waste cannot be placed in your regular garbage or recycling. Hold these items for the next NoHaz collection event, ensuring all computer parts are desk-size or smaller for acceptance.
Seasonal Information
Spring
April - MayApril marks the return of seasonal yard waste collection for most private haulers. It is also the perfect time to visit the Township Hall to pick up a new admittance postcard for the free Eagle Valley Landfill drop-off.
Summer
June - AugustSummer home improvement projects generate excess waste. Be aware that NoHaz events typically run during these warmer months—check the NoHaz website for exact Saturday dates to safely dispose of old paint and adhesives.
Winter
December - MarchHeavy Oakland County snowfalls can delay private hauling routes. Always place your trash and recycling carts at the end of a cleared driveway approach, ensuring they are not buried in snowbanks where the automated truck arms cannot reach them.
About Oakland Charter Township Waste Management
Open Market Refuse System & Ordinance 55
In Oakland Charter Township, residential trash is handled through a subscription-based open market. Homeowners—or their respective Homeowner Associations (HOAs)—are responsible for individually contracting with a township-licensed waste hauler, such as Priority Waste or Waste Management. Under Township Ordinance No. 55, any waste hauler servicing the community must maintain an active municipal license to ensure safety, reliability, and curb appeal across local neighborhoods.
The Eagle Valley Landfill Recycling Program
While curbside recycling is readily offered through private haulers, Oakland Township provides an excellent free alternative for eco-conscious residents. You can drop off your household recyclables directly at the Eagle Valley Landfill located on Silver Bell Road. To gain free admittance to this facility, residents must first pick up a specialized, township-issued postcard from the Township Hall on Collins Road. This program strictly accepts residential recycling—commercial drop-offs are prohibited.
NoHaz Consortium for Hazardous Waste
Oakland Township is an active participant in the NoHaz Consortium, a regional Oakland County program designed to safely dispose of household hazardous waste (HHW) such as antifreeze, pesticides, and old adhesives. Township residents can attend designated NoHaz collection events for a subsidized fee of just $15 per vehicle. These events run on select Saturdays from spring through fall, and pre-registration is strongly encouraged to ensure smooth drop-offs.
Managing Yard Waste in a Rural Township
Because the township boasts expansive rural landscapes, extensive parks, and wooded trails, properly managing seasonal yard waste is critical. Residents must set up seasonal compost services directly through their private hauler. When placing compost out for collection, always use biodegradable Kraft paper bags or marked rigid containers. Plastic bags are strictly banned as they contaminate the county's composting facilities.
Subdivisions and HOA Waste Guidelines
Many homes in Oakland Township are part of governed subdivisions with their own unique rules. Before contracting a waste hauler independently, new residents should check with their management office. Many HOAs negotiate single-hauler contracts for the entire neighborhood to reduce heavy garbage truck traffic, decrease noise pollution, and maintain cohesive street aesthetics on collection days.
Drop-off Facilities
Eagle Valley Landfill (Recycling Drop-Off)
Silver Bell Road (West of Lapeer Road), Orion Township, MI
Materials Accepted
NoHaz Collection Events (Varies by Event)
Various locations across Oakland County (e.g., Oakland County Service Center Campus)
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Oakland Charter Township provide municipal trash cans?
No. The township operates on a subscription-based open market. You must hire a licensed private hauler (such as Waste Management or Priority Waste), or utilize a hauler contracted through your neighborhood's HOA, who will then provide your carts.
How can I recycle for free in Oakland Township?
Residents can utilize the Eagle Valley Landfill recycling drop-off center at no charge. However, you must first visit the Township Hall (4393 Collins Rd) to obtain a free, township-issued admittance postcard and present it at the gate.
Where can I dispose of old paint and household chemicals?
Oakland Township participates in the regional NoHaz program. For a $15 fee per vehicle, residents can drop off hazardous waste, electronics, and chemicals at designated NoHaz Saturday collection events throughout the year. Pre-registration is required.
Can I put my yard waste in plastic bags?
No. All private haulers servicing Oakland Township require yard waste to be placed in biodegradable Kraft paper bags or inside a rigid container clearly marked with a 'Yard Waste' decal. Plastic bags will be left at the curb.