Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Summit Township
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.
Varies by Subscription Hauler (Emmons Green, Granger Grey/Blue, etc.) Bin (Trash)
Cart rules depend strictly on your contracted hauler. Generally, all trash must be securely bagged inside the cart with the lid completely closed. Carts typically must be placed at the curb by 6:00 a.m. on your scheduled pickup day.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Styrofoam packaging
Varies by Subscription Hauler Bin (Recycling)
If subscribed to curbside recycling, items must be placed loosely in the cart without plastic bags. Ensure all food residue is rinsed from containers.
Accepted Items
- ✓Clean cardboard and boxboard
- ✓Plastic bottles and jugs (#1 and #2)
- ✓Tin and aluminum cans
- ✓Mixed office paper
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic grocery bags
- ✕Glass (prohibited by some curbside haulers; use drop-offs)
- ✕Projection televisions
- ✕Ceramic plates and cups
Yard Waste Bin
Only collected if you pay for a yard waste subscription through your hauler. Material must usually be in Kraft paper bags or clearly marked rigid containers.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Fallen leaves
- ✓Small brush and twigs
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
By private arrangement only
Placement
Follow the exact placement instructions provided by your hauler when you schedule the special pickup. Most require the item to be out by 6:00 a.m.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture and mattresses
- ✓ Appliances
- ✓ Large household junk
Not Accepted
- ✕ Hazardous waste
- ✕ Liquid chemicals
- ✕ Tires
Bulk pickups will incur an out-of-pocket fee determined by your hauler. Alternatively, residents can self-haul bulk waste to Liberty Landfill in Jackson for a weight-based fee.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
Holiday schedules vary by your chosen private hauler. Generally, if a major holiday falls on a weekday before your normal pickup, your collection will be delayed by one day for the remainder of that week.
Yard Waste Exception
Private haulers suspend seasonal yard waste routes entirely during the winter, so winter holiday delays only impact standard garbage routes.
Always refer directly to the annual calendar provided by your specific hauler (Emmons, LRS, Granger, or Republic) to confirm exact holiday shifts.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Glass Acceptance Varies
Check with your specific private hauler before putting glass in your curbside bin. Many haulers in Jackson County ban glass at the curb because it breaks and contaminates paper bales. You may need to take glass to the Recycling Jackson drop-off.
Keep Plastic Bags Out
Whether you are using a Granger cart, an Emmons bin, or the Recycling Jackson drop-off, single-use plastic grocery bags are universally banned. They easily tangle in the gears of the materials recovery facility.
No Projection Televisions
Even during specialized e-waste collection events, massive projection televisions are notoriously difficult to recycle due to their complex glass and chemical makeup. They are often completely rejected and require specialized landfill disposal.
Seasonal Information
Spring
April - MaySpring yard cleanups require preparation. Since the township prohibits burning yard waste, ensure you have activated your seasonal compost subscription with your private hauler or plan a self-haul trip to a local compost facility.
Summer
July - AugustThe Jackson County Conservation District typically hosts Household Hazardous Waste collection events during the warmer months. This is the only safe time to dispose of accumulated pool chemicals, pesticides, and wet paint.
Winter
December - MarchDuring heavy Michigan snows, make sure your subscription carts are placed at the end of a shoveled driveway approach. Carts placed on top of snowbanks will not be serviced by automated trucks.
About Summit Township Waste Management
Open-Market Trash Collection in Summit Township
Unlike municipalities that contract a single company for the entire city, Summit Township operates on a completely open-market subscription system. Homeowners are responsible for establishing their own curbside garbage service by contracting directly with local private haulers such as Emmons Service, Granger Waste Services, LRS (formerly Modern Waste), or Republic Services. This gives residents the freedom to select a service tier and cart size that perfectly aligns with their household's waste output.
Alternative Recycling Drop-Off Solutions
Because curbside recycling often requires an upgraded tier with your chosen private hauler, many Summit Township residents prefer utilizing community drop-off sites. 'Recycling Jackson' operates a volunteer-led collection event on the first Saturday of every month at their North Brown Street location. Additionally, haulers like Emmons Service and LRS maintain their own public drop-off facilities during the workweek for materials like flattened cardboard, mixed plastics, and metal cans.
Handling Electronic Waste (E-Waste)
Private haulers in Jackson County will not collect televisions, computer monitors, or circuit-board electronics on standard curbside routes. Residents must transport these items to a certified e-waste handler. While small electronics are sometimes accepted at retail take-back programs, large tube TVs and flat screens must go to the Liberty Landfill or specific Recycling Jackson e-waste events, which often charge a sliding scale fee based on the screen size.
Strict Township Burn Ordinances
Without a township-funded leaf collection program, managing autumn yard waste can be challenging. However, the Summit Township Fire Department strictly enforces an open burning ordinance. The burning of 'refuse'—which explicitly includes leaves, grass, organic refuse, and construction waste—is tightly regulated or entirely prohibited to prevent air pollution and accidental fires. Residents must either compost at home or subscribe to a seasonal yard waste route through their private hauler.
Drop-off Facilities
Recycling Jackson (Drop-Off Center)
1401 N Brown Street, Jackson, MI 49201
Materials Accepted
Emmons Service Inc. Drop-Off
913 Water Street, Jackson, MI 49203
Materials Accepted
Liberty Landfill
7900 S Meridian Rd, Clarklake, MI 49234
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Summit Township provide my trash cans?
No. Summit Township operates an open-market system. You must contract independently with a private hauler like Emmons Service, Granger Waste Services, LRS, or Republic Services, and they will provide the necessary carts.
Can I burn my fall leaves in my backyard in Summit Township?
No. The Summit Township Fire Department maintains a strict open burning ordinance. The burning of refuse, which explicitly includes leaves, grass, and organic debris, is closely regulated or entirely prohibited.
Where can I drop off hazardous chemicals in Jackson County?
Hazardous materials like wet paint, motor oil, and pesticides are banned from standard garbage routes. You must hold these items for a Household Hazardous Waste collection event hosted by the Jackson County Conservation District.
How do I get rid of an old couch in Summit Township?
Since there is no municipal bulk collection, you must either pay your private hauler a special fee to pick it up at the curb or transport the couch yourself to the Liberty Landfill and pay a drop-off rate.