Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Southfield
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 or Resident-Provided Can Bin (Trash)
Trash must be placed at the curb between 4:00 p.m. the day before your scheduled collection and 7:00 a.m. on the day of collection. Refuse must be limited to a size and weight manageable by a single worker.
Accepted Items
- ✓Everyday household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Non-recyclable packaging and wrappers
64-Gallon Cart (Free by Request) or Smaller Bins Bin (Recycling)
All recyclables should be placed loosely into the cart or bin. Corrugated cardboard must be broken down to fit entirely inside the container. Larger cardboard pieces can be taken to the Southfield or Novi drop-off sites.
Accepted Items
- ✓Paper, newspapers, and junk mail
- ✓Flattened boxboard and corrugated cardboard
- ✓Empty metal cans, aluminum foil, and aerosol cans
- ✓Clear and colored glass bottles and jars
- ✓Plastic bottles, jugs, tubs, and garden plastics (dirt shaken out)
- ✓Aseptic juice boxes and waxy drink cartons
Do NOT Include
- ✕Styrofoam (foam containers)
- ✕Plastic shopping bags and film
- ✕Food waste and soiled pizza boxes
- ✕Pyrex or ceramic dishes
- ✕Metal or plastic hangers
- ✕Bubble wrap and packing materials
Yard Waste Bin
Yard waste must be contained in approved paper yard waste bags or rigid containers (maximum 32 gallons). Cans must be clearly labeled with a yard waste sticker (available via 248-796-4860) or a prominently painted 'Y'. Plastic bags are strictly prohibited.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Small twigs and sticks
- ✓Vines and thorny branches (must be bagged/canned)
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Weekly on your regular rubbish collection day.
Placement
Place your two permitted bulk items at the curb between 4:00 p.m. the day before your pickup and 7:00 a.m. on your collection day. Contact Priority Waste ahead of time if you have exceptional circumstances like moving out.
Accepted
- ✓ Household furniture (couches, chairs, tables)
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs (must be wrapped in plastic)
- ✓ White goods and large home appliances
Not Accepted
- ✕ Hazardous chemicals and liquid paint
- ✕ Drywall, 2x4 studs in bulk, and kitchen cabinets
- ✕ Tires and automotive parts
- ✕ Firewood, large tree stumps, and dirt
The two-item weekly limit is included in standard city services. Excess bulk must be disposed of privately or by scheduling a special paid pickup with Priority Waste.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If a recognized holiday falls on or before your scheduled pickup day during the work week, your service will be delayed by exactly one day for the remainder of that week.
Yard Waste Exception
Yard waste follows the same one-day delay structure as standard trash and recycling during the active mid-April through mid-December composting season.
If the holiday falls on a weekend, your Monday through Friday collection schedule will remain completely unchanged.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Bag Your Thorny Debris
Never leave thorny branches, vines, or briar bushes loose in your brush pile. Southfield DPW rules require these to be packed into paper compost bags or a labeled 32-gallon yard waste can.
Seal Your Mattresses
Do not drag a bare mattress to the curb. Priority Waste will not pick up mattresses unless they are completely sealed in a plastic mattress disposal bag to ensure worker safety.
Never Bag Your Recyclables
Keep your recycling loose. Plastic grocery bags and thin plastic film cause severe jams at the sorting facility. If you use plastic bags to hold your recyclables, the entire bin may be processed as trash.
Seasonal Information
Spring through Late Fall
Early April to Mid-DecemberCurbside yard waste collection generally starts during the first week of April and concludes by the second week of December. During the winter months, compost is not collected.
Winter Holidays
December and JanuaryNatural Christmas trees are collected as part of the standard refuse agreement. Simply place your unbagged tree at the curb on your normal trash day, ensuring all ornaments, tinsel, and stands are removed.
Spring / Summer Remodeling
Year-RoundIf you are taking on a DIY renovation, be aware that commercial waste, large quantities of drywall, and bulk 2x4 studs are not accepted curbside. You must rent a private dumpster or haul these materials to a transfer station.
About Southfield Waste Management
Navigating Southfield's One-Person Truck Refuse Fleet
To maintain affordable solid waste rates for residents, Southfield and Priority Waste utilize specialized garbage trucks that are often operated by a single driver. Because of this streamlined approach, the Department of Public Works strictly mandates that all curbside waste must be manageable for one person to lift safely. Large accumulations of heavy debris, such as concrete, dirt, or commercial-scale renovations, cannot be collected on standard routes and require a private dumpster.
Upgrading to a 64-Gallon Recycling Cart for Free
Southfield strongly encourages residents to participate in the local single-stream recycling program to divert reusable resources from regional landfills. If you live in a single-family home and need more space than the older, smaller recycling tubs provide, you can contact Priority Waste directly to request a 64-gallon recycling cart completely free of charge. If you still prefer the smaller bins, replacements or extras can be purchased at the Neighborhood & Information Center at City Hall for a nominal fee.
Strict Regulations for Curbside Mattress Disposal
When throwing away old beds in Southfield, there is an important public health regulation you must follow: all mattresses and box springs must be fully encased in a protective plastic mattress disposal or storage bag. Items placed at the curb unbagged will be rejected by the haulers to protect workers from potential bedbug exposure and sanitary hazards. You can include these wrapped mattresses as part of your two-item weekly bulk limit.
Dealing with Thorny Branches and Large Brush Piles
Southfield offers a specialized chipper service for larger limbs, but strict preparation rules apply. Brush piles should measure no more than 8 feet long and 36 inches high, with limbs capped at a 6-inch diameter. Crucially, any vines or branches with thorns (like rose bushes) must never be left loose for the chipper; they must be securely placed inside paper compost bags or labeled yard waste cans to prevent injury to the ground crew.
Drop-off Facilities
RRRASOC Household Hazardous Waste Drop-off Events
Various locations in Southfield, Novi, and Wixom (See RRRASOC schedule)
Materials Accepted
J. Fons Co. Transfer Station
6451 E McNichols Rd, Detroit, MI 48212
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a yard waste sticker in Southfield?
If you are using a standard 32-gallon rigid trash can for yard waste instead of paper bags, you need a yard waste sticker. You can obtain one by calling the Southfield Public Works Department at (248) 796-4860. Alternatively, you can clearly paint or draw a large 'Y' on the container.
Does Southfield offer a free recycling cart?
Yes, single-family households can contact the solid waste hauler, Priority Waste, to request a large 64-gallon wheeled recycling cart at no cost. If you prefer the smaller traditional tubs, you can purchase replacements at City Hall for $7 each.
What is the rule for putting out a mattress on trash day?
Southfield requires that all mattresses and box springs be completely wrapped and sealed inside a plastic mattress disposal or storage bag before being placed at the curb. This is to protect the drivers from pests and biohazards. It counts as one of your two allowed weekly bulk items.
Who do I call if my trash was not picked up in Southfield?
For missed pickups, damaged carts, or specific service issues, you should contact Priority Waste directly. You can call their customer service team at (586) 228-1200 or 1-(855)-927-8365, or use the residential self-service portal on their website.