Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Van Buren Charter 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.
Green body with standard lid (96-gallon) Bin (Trash)
All trash must be tightly bagged before being placed in the WM cart. The lid must close completely to avoid overflow fees, and carts must be spaced 3 feet away from fences and cars.
Accepted Items
- ✓Everyday household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Chip bags and plastic wrappers
- ✓Bagged trash
Green body with Yellow lid (96-gallon) Bin (Recycling)
Do not bag recyclables. Place all items loosely into the cart. Rinse out all containers and paper/plastic to-go cups to prevent food contamination.
Accepted Items
- ✓Cardboard and boxboard
- ✓Plastic and paper to-go cups
- ✓Metal and aluminum cans
- ✓Paper, mail, and magazines
- ✓Plastic bottles and jugs
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags (of any kind)
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Food waste or liquids
- ✕Auto parts and tires
- ✕Electronic waste
Yard Waste Bin
Use Kraft paper bags or personal 32-gallon cans (max 50 lbs) with a township yard waste sticker. Limit of 30 items per week. Brush must be tied in bundles no longer than 4 feet and under 50 lbs.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Brush under 6 inches in diameter
- ✓Garden debris
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Weekly (By Request Only)
Placement
Place your single scheduled bulk item at the curb at least 3 feet away from your WM carts by 6:00 a.m. on your collection day.
Accepted
- ✓ Couches and large furniture
- ✓ Mattresses
- ✓ Washers and dryers
- ✓ Dishwashers and large household goods
Not Accepted
- ✕ Commercial construction waste
- ✕ Hazardous liquids (paint, oil)
- ✕ Loose unbundled brush
- ✕ Large quantities of remodeling materials
The first item is free, but you must call (734) 699-8926 one day prior to pickup. Appliances containing Freon (like refrigerators) require special handling and scheduling.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If a major holiday falls on a weekday, collections for the remainder of the week will be pushed back one day (e.g., Thursday service moves to Friday).
Yard Waste Exception
Yard waste operations observe the same holiday delays as trash and recycling during the active season.
Holidays that fall on a Saturday or Sunday do not cause any delays to the standard Monday-Friday collection schedule.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Keep Plastic Bags Out of Compost
Never use plastic bags for your yard waste. Only biodegradable paper bags or clearly marked personal cans are permitted. Plastic bags mixed into the yard waste pile will result in the hauler bypassing your compost entirely.
Paper To-Go Cups Are Now Accepted
Thanks to recent updates at Waste Management's material recovery facilities, Van Buren residents can now recycle plastic and paper to-go cups. Just make sure they are completely empty and free of liquid or ice.
Loose Brush is Considered Trash
If you fail to bundle your branches, or if you attempt to dispose of logs thicker than 6 inches in diameter, the debris will be classified as regular trash rather than compost and may be left behind if it exceeds cart limits.
Seasonal Information
Spring
AprilThe Township's official yard waste and compost collection begins during the first full week of April. Prepare your beds and make sure your yard waste stickers are visible on your designated cans.
Fall
NovemberCurbside compost service officially ends during the last full week of November. Any leaves left on your lawn past this date will need to be bagged and taken to the Woodland Meadows Landfill using your punch card.
Year-Round
January to DecemberFor ongoing home improvement projects during the winter months when yard waste is paused, utilize your 24-trip Landfill Pass to haul away up to 4 cubic yards of debris per trip directly to the local landfill.
About Van Buren Charter Township Waste Management
Waste Management Partnership and Cart Requirements
Van Buren Charter Township has an exclusive municipal partnership with Waste Management (WM) to handle residential solid waste and single-stream recycling. Each home is provided with heavy-duty 96-gallon wheeled carts. To ensure automated collection trucks can operate smoothly, residents must place carts with the handles facing the home and maintain a strict three-foot clearance from mailboxes, parked vehicles, and other obstacles.
Taking Advantage of Weekly Bulk Pickups
A standout feature of the township's refuse program is the allowance of one free large item pickup per week, such as a couch, washer, or mattress. However, this is not a 'set it and forget it' service. Residents must proactively call the Municipal Services Department at (734) 699-8926 at least one day before their regularly scheduled collection day to have their bulk item added to the route manifest.
The Woodland Meadows Landfill Punch Card
If you are undertaking a heavy home remodeling project or have more debris than your WM cart can hold, you don't have to rely solely on curbside service. Van Buren Township offers residents a highly valuable free Landfill Pass. By presenting a valid photo ID at the Community Services Office, you can receive a punch card good for 24 free trips per year to the Woodland Meadows Landfill on Van Born Road, with each punch covering up to 4 cubic yards of debris.
Navigating the 30-Bag Yard Waste Limit
Managing autumn leaves or spring grass clippings in Wayne County requires adherence to local compost limits. Van Buren Township allows a generous 30 bags or cans of yard waste at the curb per week. Any debris placed in personal 32-gallon cans must display an official Township Yard Waste Sticker facing the street. Should you exceed the 30-bag limit, you will need to haul the excess directly to the landfill using your resident punch card.
Drop-off Facilities
Woodland Meadows Landfill
5900 Hannan Rd, Wayne, MI 48184 (Entrance off Van Born Rd)
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I schedule a bulk trash pickup in Van Buren Township?
Starting in July 2023, residents are allowed one free large item pickup per week (such as a couch or washer). However, you must schedule it by calling the Municipal Services Department at (734) 699-8926 at least one day prior to your normal trash day.
Where can I get a Yard Waste Sticker for my trash can?
If you choose to use a 32-gallon can instead of paper bags for compost, you must affix a Township Yard Waste Sticker. You can request one by calling 734-699-8926, and they will either mail it to you or have it ready for pickup at Township Hall.
What is the Van Buren Township Landfill Pass?
Residents can obtain a free punch card from the Community Services Office by showing a valid ID. This card entitles you to 24 free trips per year to the Woodland Meadows Landfill to dispose of excess trash or remodeling debris (up to 4 cubic yards per punch).
What should I do if my Waste Management cart is broken or stolen?
If your 96-gallon trash or recycling cart is damaged, broken, or stolen, do not call WM directly. Instead, call the Municipal Services Department at (734) 699-8926. They will communicate with Waste Management to coordinate a repair or replacement within five business days.