Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Washington 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.
Grey or Black Bin (Trash)
All trash must be placed inside your designated cart with the lid completely closed. Carts should be placed at the curb by 7:00 a.m. with adequate clearance from mailboxes and parked vehicles.
Accepted Items
- ✓Everyday household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Standard bagged refuse
Blue or Green with a Yellow Lid Bin (Recycling)
Recyclables must be placed loosely into the cart without being bagged. Ensure all metal and plastic containers are rinsed completely free of food residue before disposal.
Accepted Items
- ✓Flattened cardboard and boxboard
- ✓Newspaper, magazines, and mixed paper
- ✓Plastic bottles, jugs, tubs, and storage containers
- ✓Empty aluminum, tin, and aerosol cans
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags of any kind
- ✕Styrofoam packaging
- ✕Food waste and liquids
- ✕Electronics and batteries
Yard Waste Bin
Compost must be placed in 30-gallon Kraft paper bags or clearly marked 32-gallon personal cans. Washington Township enforces a strict limit of up to 20 bags or cans per household each week.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Small shrubs and twigs
- ✓General organic garden debris
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Weekly
Placement
Set your bulk items out by 7:00 a.m. alongside your regular Priority Waste carts. There is no need to call ahead or schedule the pickup.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture and couches
- ✓ Mattresses
- ✓ Large household appliances (non-Freon)
- ✓ Rolled and tied carpet
Not Accepted
- ✕ Construction and demolition debris
- ✕ Hazardous waste and liquid paints
- ✕ Vehicle parts and tires
- ✕ Concrete or brick
The weekly two-item bulk pickup is included in your standard municipal residential waste fee at no extra charge.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If an observed holiday falls on or before your collection day, your pickup will be delayed to the following business day for the remainder of that week.
Yard Waste Exception
Yard waste follows the exact same holiday delay schedule as regular trash and recycling during its active season (April through mid-December).
Uniquely, Washington Township's hauler observes Halloween as a holiday that affects the collection schedule. However, if any holiday falls on a weekend, collection days are not affected.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Keep Plastic Bags Out of the Sorting Gears
The number one contaminant in Washington Township's recycling stream is plastic grocery bags. Never bag your recyclables, as the plastic films wrap around the sorting gears at the material recovery facility and halt operations.
Empty Your Aerosol Cans
While empty aerosol cans are fully recyclable in your Priority Waste cart, they must be completely empty of their pressurized contents. A partially full can poses a serious explosion hazard inside the collection truck.
Flatten Boxes to Prevent Jams
Intact cardboard boxes take up excess space and can easily wedge themselves inside the automated cart. Always break down and flatten your cardboard so the bin empties completely when lifted by the truck.
Seasonal Information
Spring
AprilCurbside yard waste and compost collection officially begins around April 1st each year. This is the time to start clearing winter debris from your garden beds, keeping in mind the township's 20-bag weekly limit.
Fall
October - NovemberDuring peak autumn leaf drop, the 20-bag weekly compost limit remains in effect. Plan your yard work accordingly and spread your bagged leaves across multiple weeks to ensure they are all collected.
Winter
DecemberThe final week of yard waste collection concludes annually around December 10th. Any remaining yard debris must be mulched into your lawn or held until the program resumes the following spring.
About Washington Township Waste Management
Unified Waste Collection with Priority Waste
Since October 2022, Washington Township has streamlined its residential solid waste program by establishing an exclusive municipal contract with Priority Waste. This single-hauler system serves all single-family homes in the township, providing reliable weekly trash, recycling, and yard waste services. If you live on a border road, your collection day is determined by the service color of the side of the street you reside on.
Hassle-Free Weekly Bulk Item Allowances
A major perk for Washington Township residents is the incredibly generous bulk waste policy. Priority Waste allows each household to place up to two large bulk items at the curb every single week on their regular collection day. Unlike many neighboring Macomb County communities, there is absolutely no requirement to call ahead or schedule a special pickup—simply set your items out alongside your regular refuse carts.
Cost Savings for Seniors and Veterans
Washington Township actively supports its older residents and military personnel by offering targeted utility savings. Qualifying households can receive a 3% Senior or Veteran discount on their Priority Waste service fees. Residents interested in this cost-saving measure should contact Priority Waste customer service directly to verify eligibility and apply the discount to their account.
Respectful Disposal of the American Flag
In a unique and patriotic community initiative, Washington Township provides a dedicated disposal method for old, faded, or damaged U.S. flags. Residents can bring their worn flags to the lobby foyer of the Washington Township Hall. Once the designated container is full, the township coordinates with the local Legion Hall to collect the flags and retire them properly and respectfully.
Drop-off Facilities
Washington Township Hall
57900 Van Dyke, Washington, MI 48094
Materials Accepted
Priority Waste Pontiac Transfer Station
Contact Priority Waste at 855-927-8365 for facility details
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to call Priority Waste to schedule a bulk pickup in Washington Township?
No, scheduling is not required. You are permitted to place up to two bulk items, such as furniture or mattresses, at the curb every week on your normal collection day.
Does Washington Township offer a discount on trash services for seniors or veterans?
Yes, Priority Waste offers a 3% discount on residential service fees for qualifying Seniors and Veterans. You must contact Priority Waste customer service to set up the discount on your account.
What is the limit for yard waste bags in Washington Township?
During the active compost season (typically April 1st through December 10th), Priority Waste enforces a strict limit of up to 20 bags or cans of yard waste per household each week.
Will my trash pickup be delayed on Halloween?
Yes. Unlike most municipalities, Washington Township's hauler specifically lists Halloween as an observed holiday that affects the collection schedule. If Halloween falls on a weekday, services on and after that day will be delayed by one day.