Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Rochester Hills
Trash Day
Trash is collected once per week, Monday through Thursday, based on your neighborhood zone.
Recycling
Recycling is collected weekly on the same day as your regular trash pickup.
Yard Waste
Yard waste is collected weekly on your regular pickup day from late March through mid-December.
Set Out Time
By 7:00 AM on collection day
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Curbside waste collection is contracted through Priority Waste and billed directly to residents on a quarterly basis.
Billing Cycle
Quarterly
Accepted Methods
Online, Auto-Pay, Mail, Phone
Pro Tip / Discount
5% discount for senior citizens (65+) and military veterans; 3% discount for enrolling in auto-pay or paying annually. A seasonal Snowbird discount (up to $30) is also available.
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
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.
Local Tips & Community Info
Single-Hauler Sanitation Program in Rochester Hills
To reduce heavy truck traffic and minimize wear on neighborhood roads, Rochester Hills operates under a unified single-hauler waste contract. Residential garbage is collected once a week. Homeowners must ensure their provided rollout carts are situated at the curb no later than 7:00 AM on their assigned collection day. You may place the bins out after 5:00 PM the evening before. Please position the carts with the metal lifting bar facing the street and allow at least three feet of clearance between the trash container, the recycling bin, and any parked cars or mailboxes to accommodate the automated trucks.
Curbside Recycling Guidelines
The community places a heavy emphasis on environmental stewardship through a comprehensive curbside recycling program. Every household is supplied with a dedicated recycling cart. Acceptable materials include rinsed glass jars, aluminum cans, steel food tins, mixed paper, and most common household plastics. All items should be placed loosely inside the cart. Do not place recyclables inside plastic garbage bags, and never throw tangling items like hoses, cords, or grocery bags into the container. These items cause severe mechanical issues at the local material recovery facility.
Seasonal Compost and Yard Debris Rules
Yard waste collection is a seasonal service that activates in early April and runs continuously through mid-December. Homeowners are required to use heavy-duty, 30-gallon kraft paper compost bags or rigid containers clearly labeled with a 'Yard Waste' sticker. The city will gladly collect grass clippings, leaves, and small plant trimmings. If you have brush or tree limbs, they must be cut to lengths of four feet or less, securely tied into bundles with heavy string, and weigh less than 50 pounds per bundle. Dirt, rocks, and root balls are strictly prohibited.
Bulk Item Disposal Procedures
Residents looking to discard large household items—such as mattresses, box springs, carpeting, or old furniture—can do so conveniently on their regular trash day. You are allowed to place bulky items at the curb without calling ahead. If you are throwing away carpet, it must be rolled and tied into sections no longer than four feet. For appliances containing refrigerants, like dehumidifiers or refrigerators, the Freon must be legally removed and a certification tag applied by a licensed technician before the hauler will accept the item.
Schedule Alterations for Major Holidays
The refuse collection schedule will shift by one day if a major holiday falls during the standard workweek. The contracted hauler recognizes New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. If your normal pickup is Wednesday and a holiday occurs on Monday, your service will be bumped to Thursday. The regular Monday-through-Friday schedule always resumes the following week.
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
How do I dispose of hazardous household chemicals safely?
Rochester Hills residents can dispose of toxic materials like oil-based paints, pesticides, and household batteries by utilizing the SOCRRA drop-off facility. You must schedule an appointment online through the SOCRRA website prior to visiting the center.
What is the procedure for replacing a cracked or broken trash cart?
If your city-issued garbage or recycling cart is damaged, simply contact the Rochester Hills Mayor's Office or the contracted waste hauler directly to request a replacement. The damaged cart will usually be swapped out on your next service day.
Who do I notify if my trash was not picked up?
If your bins were properly positioned by 7:00 AM and were missed by the collection crew, please call the hauler's customer service line or use the city's online portal to report the missed stop. They typically dispatch a recovery truck the following morning.