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Anyone who works, plays, lives in or visits Detroit should take the cleanliness of the city seriously.
Detroiters also have a responsibility to keep fresh water sources and wildlife habitats clean and healthy, especially because of our direct access to the Detroit River. The river spills into two Great Lakes — Lake Huron and Lake Erie. The Great Lakes account for 21% of the world’s freshwater supply.
One of the best ways to keep Detroit clean is to understand how curbside waste collection works in your neighborhood.
The Mayor’s Office has worked with the Department of Public Works (DPW) and the Detroit Police Department to improve blight and waste removal in the city. Cooperation with residents and visitors is crucial for more success.
Beginning June 3, 2024, recycling, yard waste and bulk items will be collected every week along with trash, instead of every other week.
This guide provides essential information and resources to help residents, business owners, and visitors play their part in keeping Detroit inviting and sustainable.
These two companies pick up curbside waste in Detroit. If you need a new trash container, contact the one that serves your neighborhood.
Residents east of Woodward Avenue and in Southwest Detroit (south of I-94) are serviced by:
Priority Waste
DetroitLDC@PriorityWaste.com
855-927-8365
Residents west of Woodward residents and north of I-94 are serviced by:
Advance Disposal
844-233-8764 (automated service only)
Problems or concerns? Contact City of Detroit Buildings, Safety, Engineering, and Environmental Department at 313-876-0426.
What can you put in your curbside containers or leave out for the city to pick up?
Recyclables: paper, paper bags, cardboard, boxes, clear and colored glass, metal, plastic bottles, and containers.
Yard waste: Use a container labeled “yard waste” or place grass clippings, leaves and twigs smaller than 2 inches in diameter in paper lawn and leaf bags. Yard waste should be at least 6 feet away from trash and recycling containers.
Branches and twigs up to 4 feet long and 4 inches around should be bundled. Yard waste bigger than this won’t be picked up.
Bulk items: Place up to 2 cubic yards of bulk and renovation materials at the curb (about the size of two stoves). Items should be placed in separate piles.
Construction materials: The City of Detroit will begin disposal of construction materials June 3.
Each of the items or bundles listed below are OK for pickup if they weigh less than 50 pounds.
- Wood and lumber (bundle and remove nails, screws and staples)
- Cabinets (remove all doors)
- Carpet and padding (bundle and remove staples and nails)
- Toilets
- Paneling (bundle or place in contractor bags, remove nails and screws)
- Tile (put in contractor bags)
- Drywall (put in contractor bags)
The following construction materials are not OK for pickup:
- Concrete, brick, asphalt and shingles
- Tires, auto parts, fluids
- Metal poles and pipes
- Tree trunks
Have more bulk or renovation materials than this? DPW can pick it up it for a fee. Call 313-876-0004 for more info and pricing.
Drop-off rules
You can drop yard waste and trash that is not allowed, too heavy, or just too much for curbside pickup at three locations throughout the city, mostly for free, Monday through Saturday. (Check hours here.)
- J. Fons Co. Transfer Station, 6451 E. McNichols Road
- DPW Southfield Yard, 12255 Southfield Freeway
- DPW Davison Yard, 8221 W. Davison
Check the rules for free drop off. (For example, no more than 4 tires at a time.) If you have construction materials not on the list for curbside pickup or that weigh more than 1,000 pounds, drop them off at J. Fons transfer station ($85 for the first 2,000 pounds).
Hazardous waste/e-waste
Hazardous and e-waste drop-off is free for Detroit residents.
2000 E. Ferry St.
Thursdays from 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Fourth Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The list of allowed hazardous materials is long, but check it before you go.
Recycling
Recycle Here! is the city of Detroit’s free central recycling drop-off center at 5960 Lincoln St.
Approved items include:
- Styrofoam: Take out containers and packaging materials. All items must be clean.
- Hard plastics: #1, #2, #4, #5, #6 and #7.
- Film plastics: #2 and #4.
- Grocery bags.
- Metal, but large scrap items will be subject to the discretion of staff.
- Glass, but no window glass, treated glass or Pyrex.
- Paper, but no tissue paper or wax paper. Shredded paper should be in bags.
- Cardboard that is broken down, flattened and easy to handle.
- Carton containers like orange juice cartons if they are clean and empty.
Illegal dumping
Illegal dumping can result in fines from $1,500 to $10,000. If you want to report illegal dumping in progress, call 911. Use the Improve Detroit app to report trash that has already been left illegally.
Fees
With this expanded service, Detroit residents will pay more for trash pick up. Solid waste services will cost $250 this year, $10 more than last year. It’ll go up $10 in 2025 and another $10 in 2026. Residents pay these fees through their tax bill. Senior citizens can apply for a $125 discount. People with a HOPE exemption automatically get a discount.
Do’s and don’ts for curbside waste collection in Detroit
Do put items at the curb by 7 a.m. on collection day.
Do text your address to 313-666-7229 if you want the city to remind you about your collection day.
Do remember collection is pushed back one day following New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Do request city-approved blue curbside recycling containers. The containers are free if you play the “recycle challenge game” on the city’s website.
Do remember to empty and rinse recyclables.
Do leave your Christmas tree at the curb during the first two weeks of January.
Do not bag your recyclables.
Do not leave containers at the curb past 9 p.m. on collection day.
Do not put yard waste in plastic bags or mix yard waste with other trash.
Do not put more than one black trash can at the curb on collection day.
Do not put bulk items at the curb that exceed 1,000 pounds or 2 cubic yards.
Do not put bulk items in front of vacant lots on your block.
This guide was created by Detroit Documenter Crystal D. Starr. If you’re interested in learning more about the program or becoming a Documenter, we welcome you!
Republish our articles for free, online or in print, under a Creative Commons license.
