Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Waterford
Trash Day
Collection runs Monday through Friday depending on your neighborhood zone.
Recycling
Collected weekly on the same day as regular trash collection.
Yard Waste
Collected weekly on your regular collection day in-season, from the first full week of April through the second full week of December.
Set Out Time
By 7:00 AM on collection day
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Trash, universal recycling, and seasonal yard waste collection fees are bundled directly into your annual Waterford Township Winter property tax bill.
Billing Cycle
Annually on Winter Property Taxes
Accepted Methods
Online, Mail, In-Person, Drop Box, Mortgage Escrow
Pro Tip / Discount
Under the township-wide waste contract, all residents receive a uniform contracted annual rate billed on property taxes, replacing individual senior/veteran discounts.
Varies (Priority Waste Cart) Bin (Trash)
Place at the curb by 7:00 a.m. on your scheduled day. Ensure materials are bagged before placing them into the cart to prevent litter.
Accepted Items
- ✓Household refuse
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓General trash
Varies (Priority Waste Recycling Cart) Bin (Recycling)
Recyclables must be loose in the cart, never placed in plastic grocery bags. Cart must be at the curb by 7:00 a.m.
Accepted Items
- ✓Flattened cardboard and box board
- ✓Newspapers, magazines, and mixed paper
- ✓Aluminum and tin cans
- ✓Plastic bottles, jugs, tubs, and storage containers
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags or film
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Food waste or soiled pizza boxes
- ✕Pyrex or ceramic
- ✕Bubble wrap or plastic silverware
Yard Waste Bin
Must use paper compost bags or heavily labeled 35-gallon containers. Maximum of 10 tied bundles allowed per pickup. Active April to December.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Small twigs and garden trimmings
- ✓Brush bundles (under 50 lbs and 4 ft long)
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
One free item per month on regular collection day
Placement
Place items directly at the curb. Even if you subscribe to doorside collection, bulk items must be placed curbside by 7:00 a.m.
Accepted
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs (must be plastic wrapped)
- ✓ Sofas, loveseats, and dressers
- ✓ Washers, dryers, and stoves
- ✓ Refrigerators and freezers (doors and racks removed)
- ✓ Carpet (rolled/tied, max 4 ft long and 50 lbs, up to 10 bundles)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Concrete, bricks, and drywall
- ✕ Hot water tanks that are not completely emptied
- ✕ Hazardous waste or liquid paints
- ✕ Tires and automotive parts
The first item each month is free. Additional bulk items cost $10 each and must be scheduled directly with Priority Waste at 248-861-2987 prior to collection day.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If your scheduled collection falls on or after a recognized holiday during the work week, your pickup will be delayed by one business day.
Yard Waste Exception
During its active season from April to December, yard waste collection adheres to the exact same one-day holiday delay as trash and recycling.
Schedules return to their normal cadence on the Monday of the following week. Weekend holidays generally do not impact residential routes.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Keep Plastic Bags Out of Recycling
Priority Waste's Material Recovery Facility (MRF) cannot process plastic grocery bags or film, as they tangle in the sorting machinery. Keep all accepted recyclables loose in your cart.
Greasy Pizza Boxes Belong in the Trash
While clean cardboard is highly recyclable, food-soiled paper and greasy pizza boxes contaminate the recycling stream. Throw heavily soiled portions into your regular garbage.
Mattress Wrapping is Mandatory
If you are utilizing your free monthly bulk item pickup for a mattress or box spring, it must be entirely encased in plastic. Unwrapped mattresses will be left at the curb due to health and safety regulations.
Seasonal Information
Spring
April - MayThe dedicated yard waste collection trucks resume service the first week of April. Ensure heavy spring clean-up brush is cut to 4-foot lengths and tied securely into bundles weighing 50 pounds or less.
Fall
September - DecemberCompost collection accommodates heavy autumn leaf drops through mid-December (e.g., ending December 18 in 2026). Only use approved kraft paper bags or labeled rigid containers.
Winter
January - MarchYard waste service is suspended for the winter. During heavy snowfall, please shovel a flat space for your refuse and recycling carts rather than placing them on top of unstable snowbanks.
About Waterford Waste Management
Waterford's Transition to Universal Recycling
Waterford Township has modernized its waste management program by transitioning to a universal recycling model handled by Priority Waste. This new 5-year contract guarantees that every residential household receives full-service weekly recycling alongside standard refuse collection. Eliminating the old opt-out system helps keep neighborhoods sustainable while ensuring maximum value for all single-family homes.
Streamlined Annual Tax Billing
Say goodbye to monthly garbage invoices. Starting with the Winter 2025 tax cycle, Waterford Township residents are billed a single annual flat rate of $210 for comprehensive curbside waste and recycling removal. This fee appears directly on the winter property tax bill under the code 'TRASH', streamlining payments and securing a consistent township-wide rate.
Hassle-Free Monthly Bulk Item Disposal
Homeowners tackling minor cleanouts can easily dispose of large items without a fuss. Waterford's contract includes the curbside pickup of one bulk item, such as a sofa or appliance, every month at no extra cost. You don't even need to call ahead for this single item—just have it out by 7:00 a.m. on your regular collection day. Additional items require scheduling and a modest $10 fee.
Unlimited Seasonal Yard Waste Services
Maintaining Waterford's beautiful lawns is easier with Priority Waste's unlimited seasonal compost collection. Running from the first week of April through mid-December, a dedicated truck services yard waste placed in paper kraft bags or properly labeled containers. Keeping organic debris out of the landfill is a crucial part of the township's environmental strategy.
Drop-off Facilities
Second Saturday Township Recycling Drop-Off
5200 Civic Center Drive, Waterford, MI 48329 (Front of Township Hall)
Materials Accepted
NoHaz Household Hazardous Waste Events
Various locations across Oakland County (Check www.nohaz.com)
Materials Accepted
ERG Environmental Services
13040 Merriman Road, Livonia, MI 48150
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I pay for my trash collection in Waterford Township?
Under the new single designated hauler contract, residential trash and universal recycling fees are no longer billed monthly. Instead, a flat annual rate of $210 is assessed directly on your Winter tax bill under the code 'TRASH'.
When does yard waste collection start and end?
Waterford Township provides unlimited weekly curbside compost collection that typically begins the first Monday in April and concludes in mid-December (e.g., December 18th in 2026). Ensure grass and leaves are in kraft paper bags or clearly marked rigid containers.
What happens if I have more than one bulk item to throw away?
Your service covers one large item per month for free without needing to call ahead. If you have additional items, you must call Priority Waste at 248-861-2987 to schedule the pickup and pay a fee of $10 per extra item.
Where can I safely dispose of old paint and household chemicals?
Waterford partners with the North Oakland Household Hazardous Waste Consortium (NoHaz). Residents can attend designated NoHaz collection events for a $15 fee. Dried latex paint, however, is safe to throw away with your regular curbside trash once completely solidified.