Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for White Lake 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.
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
!Contamination Tips
Prep Your Paint Properly
Liquid latex paint cannot be thrown in the trash. You must mix it with an absorbent material like kitty litter or a commercial paint hardener until completely dry. Leave the dried cans out with the lids permanently removed.
Freon Tagging is Mandatory
If you are disposing of an old refrigerator, freezer, or air conditioning unit, you must have a licensed technician remove the refrigerant (Freon) and attach a certified tag. Untagged appliances will not be collected by Priority Waste.
Plastic-Wrap Your Mattresses
Due to sanitary regulations and the prevention of bedbug transmission, any mattress or box spring placed at the curb must be entirely sealed in a plastic mattress bag. Exposed bedding will be left behind.
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.
About White Lake Township Waste Management
Unified Waste Collection with Priority Waste
White Lake Township provides streamlined residential waste management through a single municipal contract currently serviced by Priority Waste. The cost for standard curbside trash, recycling, yard debris, and bulk item removal is billed directly to homeowners annually on their winter tax bill. To guarantee successful weekly service, residents must place all household carts and properly prepared items at the curb no later than 7:00 AM on their designated collection day.
Hassle-Free Bulk Trash Removal
A major benefit of White Lake's municipal contract is the convenience of bulk item disposal. Homeowners do not need to call ahead or schedule special pickups for most large household goods. Items like old furniture, appliances, and bundled carpeting can simply be placed at the curb next to regular household bins. However, specific preparation is mandatory: mattresses and box springs must be entirely encased in plastic, and refrigerator or freezer doors must be completely removed to prevent child entrapment hazards.
Strict Limits on DIY Construction Debris
For residents undertaking minor home renovations or DIY projects, Priority Waste accommodates small amounts of construction waste with strict parameters. You are allowed to set out up to three 32-gallon containers of construction debris per week. Each container must weigh no more than 50 pounds, and the materials must originate solely from work done by the homeowner on their own property. Heavier materials like cement, stones, tires, and rims are explicitly excluded from the curbside program.
Navigating Hazardous Waste and Specialized Drop-Offs
Curbside trucks are not equipped to handle toxic household chemicals or automotive fluids. White Lake Township directs residents to utilize regional Oakland County resources for hazardous items. Oil-based paints, pesticides, and solvents can be taken to ERG Environmental Services in Livonia (fees apply), while used motor and transmission oils are accepted locally at White Lake Oil Change. For scrap metal, large appliances, or old tires, residents can visit Scrap Dog Recycling in Waterford or Highland Tire & Auto Repair.
Seasonal Yard Waste Operations
Michigan's changing seasons require dedicated yard waste management, which runs weekly from April 1st through the first week of December. Priority Waste collects lawn clippings, leaves, and small shrub trimmings placed in biodegradable kraft paper bags or 35-gallon bins clearly marked with 'Yard Waste' decals. Dirt, sod, rocks, and large tree stumps are never accepted as compostable yard waste and will be left at the curb.
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.