Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for St. Clair Shores
Trash Day
Trash is collected weekly, Monday through Friday, depending on your neighborhood route.
Recycling
Weekly on the same day as your regular trash collection.
Yard Waste
Weekly on your regular trash collection day from late March/April 1st through the second Friday in December.
Set Out Time
After 6:00 PM the night before or by 7:00 AM on collection day
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
City water and sewer utility bills are issued quarterly based on zip code cycles, with payment due three weeks after bills are mailed.
Billing Cycle
Quarterly
Accepted Methods
Online, Auto-Pay (Direct Debit), Mail, Phone, In-Person
Pro Tip / Discount
Property tax hardship/poverty exemption programs and summer tax deferrals are available through the city; a senior discount (age 62+) is available through the waste contractor.
City-Issued Cart or Personal Can (Max 32-Gallon) Bin (Trash)
Trash must be set out after 6:00 p.m. the night before or by 7:00 a.m. on your collection day. Personal cans cannot exceed 60 pounds, and individual trash bags cannot exceed 40 pounds. Do not place items in the street or on sidewalks.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household refuse
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics and wrappers
Complimentary 64-Gallon Cart (Provided by Hauler) Bin (Recycling)
Recyclables should be placed loosely in the recycling cart. Ensure all containers are empty and rinsed. Leave caps on plastic bottles. Corrugated cardboard must be flattened.
Accepted Items
- ✓Cardboard (cut to 24x24 pieces) and paperboard
- ✓Plastics #1 through #7
- ✓Glass bottles and jars (any color)
- ✓Metal and steel cans (rinsed)
- ✓Newspaper, junk mail, and magazines
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags and film
- ✕Styrofoam (foam containers)
- ✕Wire hangers
- ✕Window panes, mirrors, ceramics, and Pyrex
- ✕Electronics and hazardous waste
Yard Waste Bin
Use brown Kraft yard bags or 32-gallon cans clearly marked 'Yard Waste', 'Compost', or with a large 'X'. Cans have a 60-pound limit; bags have a 40-pound limit. Sod, dirt, hay, and animal feces are strictly prohibited.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings and leaves
- ✓Tree fruit and garden debris
- ✓Small brush and shrubbery trimmings (under 4 feet long and 2 inches in diameter)
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Weekly on your regular trash collection day.
Placement
Place large household items at the curb after 6:00 p.m. the night before or by 7:00 a.m. on the day of collection. Keep items clear of the street and sidewalk.
Accepted
- ✓ Washers, dryers, stoves, and microwaves
- ✓ Refrigerators and freezers (doors MUST be removed)
- ✓ Couches, chairs, and household furnishings
- ✓ Mattresses (must be wrapped in plastic)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Construction and roofing materials
- ✕ Excessive clean-out debris (more than one room's worth)
- ✕ Hazardous waste and tires
Bulk collection for normal household items is included in your quarterly waste bill. Whole-house cleanouts or major renovations require renting a private roll-off dumpster.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If a recognized holiday falls on or before your scheduled collection day during the workweek, your pickup will be delayed by one day. If the holiday falls on a weekend, there is no delay.
Yard Waste Exception
Yard waste follows the exact same holiday delay schedule as standard garbage during the active April-December compost season.
Express Waste covers these holidays. Your quarterly rate includes collections on the delayed schedule with no hidden fees.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Spring through Fall
April through Mid-DecemberThe active yard waste collection season typically begins the first week of April and concludes on the second Friday of December. After this date, organic debris will not be collected curbside.
Spring and Late Summer
May and SeptemberThe city hosts two major Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) and E-Waste drop-off events annually at the DPW complex—generally one Saturday in May and another in September.
Storm Season
June through AugustFollowing heavy summer storms, residents with massive fallen limbs (5-15 feet long) must contact the DPW at 586-445-5363 to schedule a special chipper service, as the standard waste hauler will not take them.
Local Tips & Community Info
Reliable Trash Collection Rules in St. Clair Shores
Maintaining a clean neighborhood is easy when everyone follows the curbside guidelines set by the City of St. Clair Shores and its contracted waste hauler. Residential refuse must be placed at the curb no earlier than 6:00 p.m. on the evening before your scheduled collection day, and no later than 7:00 a.m. on the morning of pickup. Sticking to this strict timeline ensures crews can complete their routes efficiently and keeps streets clear of lingering debris.
Approved Garbage Carts and Weight Limits
Residents have the option to purchase official 64-gallon or 96-gallon garbage carts directly from City Hall or via the municipal website. However, the use of these specific bins is entirely voluntary. If you prefer to supply your own trash cans, they cannot exceed 32 gallons in size and must weigh under 60 pounds when fully loaded. For those using standard garbage bags outside of a can, each bag is strictly limited to a maximum of 40 pounds.
Curbside Recycling Guidelines
Recycling is picked up on the same day as your regular household trash. The city encourages the recycling of clean plastics, flattened cardboard, empty metal cans, and mixed paper. It is imperative that recyclables are placed loosely in the bin rather than bagged. Keep hazardous items, foam containers, organic waste, and plastic shopping bags out of the recycling cart, as these will jam the processing equipment and contaminate the entire truck's load.
Managing Yard Waste and Branches
The seasonal compost pickup program in St. Clair Shores generally begins around April 1st and concludes on the second Friday of December. Homeowners must use biodegradable paper lawn bags (up to 40 pounds) or 32-gallon reusable containers clearly marked with 'Yard Waste' (up to 60 pounds). Branches must be cut to four feet or less in length, under four inches in diameter, and tied into secure bundles using heavy rope or twine.
Bulky Waste and Appliance Disposal
Large household furnishings, such as couches, tables, and even heavy appliances, can be placed neatly at the curb on your normal garbage day. Notably, the city allows for the collection of refrigerators and air conditioners containing Freon, though doors must be removed for safety. If you are throwing away a mattress, it must be completely wrapped in plastic before it will be collected by the sanitation trucks to protect workers.
Schedule Adjustments for Holidays
Collections are paused for six primary holidays each year: New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. If one of these holidays falls on or before your designated collection day during the workweek, your service will be pushed back by exactly one day, with Friday routes extending into Saturday. Regular operations resume the next week.
Drop-off Facilities
St. Clair Shores DPW Complex
19700 Pleasant Dr, St. Clair Shores, MI 48080
Materials Accepted
Macomb County Household Hazardous Waste
Call 586-469-5236 for regional Macomb County drop-off instructions
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Does St. Clair Shores require me to use a specific trash can?
No, the use of city-issued 64-gallon or 96-gallon carts is voluntary. If you choose to use your own container, it must be 32 gallons or smaller and weigh less than 60 pounds.
How do I dispose of an old mattress in this city?
Mattresses can be placed at the curb for normal bulk pickup, but municipal rules strictly require that all mattresses and box springs be completely wrapped in plastic prior to disposal.
When can I put my trash bins out by the street?
Bins and yard waste containers may be placed at the curb starting at 6:00 p.m. the evening before your collection day and must be out by 7:00 a.m. on the morning of your service.