Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Rochester Hills
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.
Standard City-Issued Cart (typically Black or Dark Green) Bin (Trash)
All standard refuse should be contained within your 95-gallon cart. Materials should be out by 7:00 a.m. on collection day. Any extra bags or carts must not exceed a total weight of 50 pounds each to prevent injury to the haulers or damage to the automated lifting arms.
Accepted Items
- ✓Everyday household garbage
- ✓Food waste and non-recyclable wrappers
- ✓Small, bundled branches over 2 inches in diameter (max 50 lbs)
Standard City-Issued Cart (typically Blue or Green with designated lid) Bin (Recycling)
Recyclables must be placed loosely into your designated cart. Do not bundle them or pack them in plastic grocery bags, as this severely disrupts the mechanical sorting process at the local recycling facility.
Accepted Items
- ✓Flattened cardboard and boxboard
- ✓Newspaper, magazines, and mixed junk mail
- ✓Clean plastic bottles, jugs, and tubs
- ✓Empty metal and aluminum cans
Do NOT Include
- ✕Styrofoam and packing peanuts
- ✕Plastic shopping bags or shrink wrap
- ✕Household hazardous chemicals
- ✕Electronics and batteries
Yard Waste Bin
Compostable items must be contained in 30-gallon Kraft paper yard waste bags or rigid trash cans (35-gallon max) displaying a 'Yard Waste' decal. Dirt, sod, rocks, and unapproved plastic bags will result in a rejected pickup.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings and weeds
- ✓Fallen leaves
- ✓Small pruned twigs and vines (under 2 inches in diameter)
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Weekly on your regular trash collection day.
Placement
Set bulk items at the curbside by 7:00 a.m. Ensure they are kept separate from your standard waste carts to allow automated trucks enough clearance.
Accepted
- ✓ Sofas, chairs, and household furniture
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs
- ✓ Major household appliances (refrigerators, washers)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Hazardous waste and chemicals
- ✕ Tires and automotive parts
- ✕ Large quantities of construction or demolition debris
Standard bulk collection is included in the city's residential solid waste program without additional fees. Excessively large home cleanouts may require renting a private dumpster.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If an observed holiday falls on a weekday on or before your scheduled collection day, service will be delayed by one day for the remainder of that week. If the holiday lands on a weekend, your collection schedule remains completely unchanged.
Yard Waste Exception
Yard waste follows the exact same holiday delay schedule as regular trash and recycling during the active compost season.
Priority Waste does not observe minor civic holidays like Presidents' Day or Columbus Day; collections will proceed as normal on those dates.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Vouchers Required for Toxic Waste
Never place motor oil, pesticides, or wet paint into your regular trash cart. Rochester Hills requires you to purchase a paper voucher from the city to safely dispose of these materials at the SOCRRA facility in Troy.
Know Your Branch Limits
Small twigs under 2 inches thick go into your yard waste. However, branches larger than 2 inches in diameter must be cut to lengths between 2 and 4.5 feet, tied with heavy twine, and placed with your regular trash—not compost.
Keep Plastic Bags Out of the Blue Bin
The number one contaminant in the local recycling stream is the flimsy plastic grocery bag. These bags wrap around the gears of the SOCRRA recycling machinery. Return them to local grocery stores instead of curbside bins.
Seasonal Information
Spring to Early Winter
Late March through mid-DecemberThe residential yard waste pickup program is highly active for roughly nine months of the year, usually beginning around March 23 and wrapping up just before the winter holidays in mid-December.
Winter
Late December and JanuaryFollowing the holidays, Priority Waste conducts a special Christmas tree pickup sweep. This seasonal service generally begins the week of Christmas and continues for the following three consecutive weeks.
All Seasons
Year-RoundMajor holidays will disrupt your schedule. If a recognized holiday falls on or before your normal service day during the workweek, expect your pickup to be delayed by exactly one day.
About Rochester Hills Waste Management
Rochester Hills Comprehensive Waste Partnership with Priority Waste
The City of Rochester Hills contracts with Priority Waste to deliver weekly solid waste, recycling, and compost collection for its residents. Utilizing automated trucks, households are provided with durable 95-gallon carts designed for efficient curbside pickup. To guarantee service, all containers and bulk items must be placed at the edge of the street by 7:00 a.m. on your designated service day, ensuring that individual containers do not exceed a 50-pound weight limit.
The SOCRRA Voucher System for Electronics and HHW
Unlike many municipalities that run limited seasonal hazardous waste events, Rochester Hills offers year-round access through a partnership with the South Oakland County Resource Recovery Authority (SOCRRA). To utilize this service, Rochester Hills residents must first purchase a printed paper voucher directly from the city. This voucher grants access to the SOCRRA Drop-off Center in Troy (by appointment) or the ERG Environmental Services center in Livonia for the safe disposal of toxic chemicals, paint, and electronic waste.
Extensive Curbside Compost and Yard Waste Season
Rochester Hills boasts an exceptionally long yard waste collection season to accommodate unpredictable Michigan weather. The annual compost program typically launches in late March and runs continuously through the second or third week of December. Residents can easily dispose of grass clippings, leaves, and small twigs by placing them in traditional Kraft paper yard bags or clearly labeled 35-gallon rigid containers.
Hassle-Free Weekly Bulk Furniture Removal
One of the standout conveniences of the Rochester Hills sanitation program is the weekly bulk pickup service. Residents do not need to call ahead or pay extra fees to dispose of large household items like mattresses, sofas, or broken appliances. You can simply place these oversized materials directly at the curb on your normal trash day. Just ensure they are positioned neatly and separated slightly from your standard refuse carts.
Drop-off Facilities
SOCRRA Recycling Drop-off Center
995 Coolidge, Troy, MI 48084
Materials Accepted
ERG Environmental Services
13040 Merriman Road, Livonia, MI 48150
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to call ahead for furniture or appliance pickup in Rochester Hills?
No, scheduling is not required for standard residential bulk items. You can simply place couches, mattresses, or large appliances at the curb by 7:00 a.m. on your normal scheduled pickup day, and Priority Waste will collect them.
How do Rochester Hills residents dispose of old paint and computers?
Rochester Hills partners with SOCRRA for hazardous and electronic waste. You cannot throw these items in the trash. First, purchase a printed paper voucher from the city. Then, you can drop off your items at the SOCRRA facility in Troy (by appointment) or the ERG facility in Livonia.
When does the yard waste collection season end?
The weekly compost and yard waste collection typically begins in late March and runs through the second or third week of December each year. During the off-season, yard waste is not collected at the curb.
What is the rule for throwing away tree branches?
Small twigs and branches under 2 inches in diameter should go in your yard waste bags. Larger branches (over 2 inches thick) must be cut into 2 to 4.5-foot lengths, tied into bundles weighing no more than 50 pounds, and placed out with your regular trash, not the compost.