Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for White Lake Township
Trash Day
Monday through Friday, depending on neighborhood zone (consult the Township Priority Waste Days of Service Map).
Recycling
Weekly on the same day as trash collection
Yard Waste
Weekly on your regular trash collection day from April through early December
Set Out Time
By 7:00 AM on collection day
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Residential trash, recycling, and yard waste services are billed once per year as an assessment on your township Winter Property Tax Bill.
Billing Cycle
Annually (Included on Winter Property Tax Bill)
Accepted Methods
Online, Mail, In Person, Drop Box
Typically Gray or Black cart Bin (Trash)
All household trash should be bagged and placed in your cart. Bins must be positioned at the curb by 7:00 AM on the scheduled collection day to guarantee pickup.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household refuse
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Dried latex paint (mixed with kitty litter)
Typically Green or Blue cart (65-gallon carts available for purchase) Bin (Recycling)
Recyclables should be placed loosely in the recycling cart. Do not bag your recyclables. A larger 65-gallon cart with a lid can be purchased directly from Priority Waste for a one-time fee.
Accepted Items
- ✓Clean cardboard and paperboard
- ✓Office paper, junk mail, and newspaper
- ✓Plastic bottles and jugs
- ✓Metal cans (tin and aluminum)
- ✓Glass bottles and jars (taped if shattered)
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic grocery bags
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Tanglers (cords, hoses, wires)
- ✕Hazardous waste
- ✕Food-soiled cardboard (e.g., greasy pizza boxes)
Yard Waste Bin
Must be placed in biodegradable paper yard bags or containers (up to 35 gallons) marked 'Yard Waste'. Larger branches must be bundled (max 4 ft length, 18 inches diameter).
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass cuttings
- ✓Leaves and garden waste
- ✓Shrub and tree trimmings
- ✓Small branches (under 2 inches in diameter)
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Weekly on regular trash day
Placement
Place all bulk goods and prepared bundles at the curb by 7:00 AM on your standard pick-up day, keeping them clear of your automated collection carts.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture and large household junk
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs (must be wrapped in plastic)
- ✓ Appliances (doors removed, Freon tagged)
- ✓ Carpet (cut and bundled into 4-foot sections)
- ✓ DIY construction debris (max three 32-gallon cans, 50 lbs each)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Tires and rims
- ✕ Cement, concrete, stones, and gravel
- ✕ Dirt and large tree stumps
- ✕ Liquid hazardous waste
- ✕ Contractor-generated debris
Bulk collection is included in the annual rubbish rate billed on the winter tax bill. No extra fees apply unless utilizing third-party drop-off centers for prohibited items.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If a recognized holiday falls on a weekday (Monday-Friday), all subsequent collection days that week will be delayed by one day, culminating in a Saturday pickup. If the holiday falls on a weekend, the schedule remains unchanged.
Yard Waste Exception
Yard waste follows the same holiday delay schedule as standard trash during its active season (April through early December).
Priority Waste offers an online portal specifically for White Lake Township residents to report missed services or check on holiday delays.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Winter
JanuaryLive Christmas tree collection occurs during the first and second weeks of January on your regularly scheduled service day. Trees taller than 6 feet must be cut in half before being placed at the curb.
Spring
AprilCurbside yard waste collection resumes on April 1st. Ensure your yard waste containers have proper decals, or utilize biodegradable kraft bags for early spring cleanups.
Fall
November to DecemberThe yard waste season concludes in the first week of December (typically around December 5th or 6th). After this date, leaves and organic debris cannot be placed at the curb until the following spring.
Local Tips & Community Info
Turn Your Cans into Cash Right Here in White Lake!
Did you know you can get a few bucks back for those empty bottles and cans? Michigan has a state bottle deposit program, so keep an eye out for the deposit symbol (usually 10 cents) on your beverage containers. While White Lake Township itself doesn't have a dedicated buyback center, you can often find redemption centers in nearby areas like Waterford or Clarkston. Check out local grocery stores or convenience stores; many have machines right inside for easy returns. It's a great way to put a little extra money in your pocket while helping the environment!
Giving Your Good Stuff a Second Life in White Lake Township
Before you toss out items that are still in decent shape, think about donating them! White Lake Township residents have options. For clothing, household goods, and furniture, check out the St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store in Waterford. If you've got building materials, furniture, or appliances, the Habitat for Humanity ReStore in Pontiac is a fantastic place to drop them off. Donating not only helps others in our community but also keeps perfectly good items out of the landfill.
Keeping White Lake Clean: Reporting Dumping & Community Clean-Ups
Nobody likes seeing litter or illegal dumping in our beautiful White Lake Township. If you happen to spot an area where someone has dumped trash illegally, don't hesitate to report it. You can contact the White Lake Township Police Department or the Public Works Department to let them know. They work hard to keep our community clean. Keep an eye on local event listings too; sometimes, community groups organize clean-up days, which are a wonderful way for neighbors to pitch in and make a difference together!
Drop-off Facilities
ERG Environmental Services
13040 Merriman Rd, Livonia, MI 48150
Materials Accepted
Scrap Dog Recycling
2491 Dixie Hwy, Waterford, MI 48328
Materials Accepted
Spurt Industries
2041 Charms Rd, Wixom, MI 48393
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to schedule a bulk pickup with Priority Waste in White Lake?
No. Under the township's contract, you can place most large household items, such as furniture and prepared carpeting, directly at the curb on your regular collection day without scheduling in advance.
How do I throw away an old mattress in White Lake Township?
To properly dispose of a mattress or box spring, it must be completely wrapped and sealed in plastic before being placed at the curb. Priority Waste will not collect unwrapped mattresses due to health and safety regulations.
Can I throw remodeling debris in my normal trash bin?
Yes, but with strict limitations. You may dispose of construction debris generated from your own home (not by a contractor), limited to a maximum of three 32-gallon containers per week. Each container must not exceed 50 pounds. Items like concrete, stones, and cement are strictly prohibited.
What happens to my trash schedule if a holiday falls on a Tuesday?
If a recognized holiday like the Fourth of July falls on a Tuesday, Monday's route is unaffected. However, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday routes will all be pushed back by one day, with Friday's collection occurring on Saturday.