Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Pontiac
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 Priority Waste Cart Bin (Trash)
All trash MUST be placed in a plastic bag before being placed inside the 96-gallon cart. The cart must be out at the curb between 7:00 p.m. the night before and 7:00 a.m. on your collection day, with adequate clearance for the automated arm.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics and wrappers
Priority Waste Recycling Cart Bin (Recycling)
Recyclables must be placed loosely into the cart. Do NOT bag your recyclables. Cardboard boxes must be broken down to fit entirely inside the closed cart.
Accepted Items
- ✓Flattened corrugated cardboard and boxboard
- ✓Mixed paper, newspapers, magazines, and junk mail
- ✓Clean plastic bottles, jugs, tubs, and storage containers
- ✓Empty metal and aerosol cans (aluminum and tin)
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags and film
- ✕Styrofoam and plastic cups
- ✕Food waste and soiled pizza boxes
- ✕Pyrex, ceramics, and bubble wrap
Yard Waste Bin
Place yard waste in standard 30-gallon Kraft paper leaf bags or a personal 33-35 gallon rigid garbage can clearly labeled 'YARD WASTE'. Do not use plastic bags.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Small branches and twigs
- ✓Organic garden debris
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Weekly on your scheduled trash day.
Placement
Set your two permitted bulk items at the curb by 7:00 a.m. Ensure they are spaced adequately away from your automated trash cart.
Accepted
- ✓ Household furniture (sofas, chairs, tables)
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs (must be wrapped in plastic)
- ✓ Large household appliances
Not Accepted
- ✕ Hazardous household waste
- ✕ Tires and automotive parts
- ✕ Large-scale construction or demolition materials
Standard collection of up to two bulk items is included in your city services. Excess bulk requires a private dumpster or utilizing the Free Landfill Days in April.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If your scheduled service day falls on or after an observed holiday during the work week, your pickup will be delayed by exactly one day for the remainder of that week.
Yard Waste Exception
During the active April-November compost season, yard waste follows the same holiday delay schedule as standard refuse.
If a holiday falls on a weekend (Saturday or Sunday), the Monday-Friday collection schedule generally continues without any delays.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Wrap Your Mattresses
Never place a bare mattress or box spring at the curb in Pontiac. Priority Waste drivers will reject it. All mattresses must be completely wrapped in plastic or sealed in a mattress bag for health and safety reasons.
Bag Your Trash, Not Your Recycling
While Pontiac rules require you to bag your regular garbage before putting it in the trash cart, the exact opposite is true for recycling. Plastic bags jam the sorting facility, so keep recyclables loose in their designated cart.
Keep Totes and Bags Off the Ground
Automated trucks are designed to lift the 96-gallon cart only. Do not place loose plastic bags or personal plastic storage totes on the ground next to your cart, as they will not be collected and will obstruct the mechanical arm.
Seasonal Information
Spring, Summer, and Fall
April 1 through November 30The dedicated curbside compost and yard waste program runs strictly from April 1st through November 30th each year. During these months, it is picked up weekly on your normal trash day.
Winter Suspension
December, January, February, MarchPriority Waste does NOT pick up yard waste or leaf bags during the winter months. Any remaining yard debris must be held until April.
Post-Holiday Cleanup
First two weeks of JanuaryDespite the winter yard waste suspension, Priority Waste makes a special exception for natural Christmas trees, collecting them at the curb during the first two weeks of January.
About Pontiac Waste Management
Priority Waste Contract and Bagging Ordinance
Following a recent transition, Priority Waste is the exclusive contractor for curbside trash, yard waste, and bulk pickup in the City of Pontiac. A strict local ordinance requires residents to place all standard household garbage inside a plastic bag before tossing it into the 96-gallon Priority Waste refuse cart. Unbagged, loose trash inside the cart can result in a rejected pickup due to sanitary and wind-blown debris concerns.
Strict Cart Spacing and Placement Rules
Because Priority Waste utilizes automated mechanical side-loading trucks, precise cart placement is critical. The City of Pontiac DPW strictly mandates that your trash cart cannot be placed next to anything that might obstruct the mechanical arm. This includes parked cars, plastic bags or loose totes on the ground, mailboxes, utility poles, or even your secondary recycling cart. Keep at least three feet of clearance around all sides of your cart.
Refuse Cart Assistance Program
Pontiac recognizes that not all residents are physically capable of wheeling heavy 96-gallon carts to the curb, especially during icy Michigan winters. The city offers a unique Refuse Cart Assistance Program for individuals who are physically unable to set out their carts. Interested residents can contact the Pontiac Sanitation Department at 248-758-3600 to request an official City application letter to qualify for this doorstep service.
Free Landfill Days at Collier Road
To help residents dispose of excess clutter, heavy debris, and materials not suitable for curbside bulk pickup, the City of Pontiac organizes 'Free Landfill Days' every spring. Typically held in April at the Collier Road Landfill, this event allows Pontiac homeowners to haul truckloads of eligible spring cleaning debris directly to the dump at no charge. Proof of residency is strictly required.
Drop-off Facilities
Pontiac Transfer Station
Located in Pontiac, part of the Priority Waste network
Materials Accepted
Collier Road Landfill (Oakland County)
Collier Road, Pontiac, MI
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if my Priority Waste cart is damaged?
If your cart has a broken wheel, cracked body, or missing lid, you can request a repair or replacement by calling Priority Waste at 586-228-1200 and asking for the Carts Department, or by filling out the 'Report Damage' form on their website.
Do I have to bag my trash in Pontiac?
Yes. According to the City of Pontiac DPW rules, all household trash must be placed inside a plastic garbage bag before being thrown into your 96-gallon Priority Waste cart.
When does yard waste collection stop in Pontiac?
Yard waste collection officially ends on November 30th. Priority Waste does not collect leaf bags or brush during December, January, February, or March, with the sole exception of Christmas trees in early January.
What is the Refuse Cart Assistance Program?
It is a special service offered to residents who are physically unable to wheel their heavy garbage carts to the curb. To apply, you must contact the Pontiac Sanitation department at 248-758-3600 and request a City application letter.