Yard Waste & Leaf Pickup Service
Our 2023 curbside leaf collection will take place Nov. 6-24 when falling leaves are at their heaviest, enabling us to provide efficient, effective service and be good stewards of public dollars.
Leaves may be raked to the curb in neat rows through Nov. 24. Twigs, branches and other yard debris will not be accepted during curbside leaf pickup.
Once your loose leaves are collected on or after Nov. 24, you need to bag any additional leaves for pickup on your regular collection day.
YARD WASTE/COMPOST
Please click here to see a printable version of the yard waste pickup schedule. Please note: The 2023 yard waste pickup season ends the week of Dec. 11.
YARD WASTE DETAILS:
- Yard waste is collected on your trash pickup day from the first full week of April through mid-December.
- Yard waste needs to be placed at the curb before 7 a.m. on your trash pickup day.
- Yard waste is grass, leaves, shrubbery cuttings, vines, rose bushes, roots, stumps and sticks.
- Yard debris must be placed in a paper yard waste bag. Otherwise, the yard debris must be placed in a container marked "yard waste" and cannot weigh more than 50 pounds.
- Branches smaller than 2 inches in diameter should be put out with yard waste.
- Branches larger than 2 inches in diameter should be cut into lengths of 2 to 4 1/2 feet, bundled with twine, tagged and placed at the curb on trash collection day. Bunches cannot weight more than 50 pounds. Please set bundles with cut ends at the curb.
- During the offseason ONLY between mid-December to late March, paper yard waste bags may be dropped off at SOCRRA at no charge. SOCRRA is located at 995 Coolidge Hwy., Troy, MI 48084 (across from the Meijer gas station).
Yard waste tags are required for each bag and can of yard waste for each use. Yard waste without a tag will not be picked up.
Tags cost $3 each, or $10 for 4 ($2.50 each). Yard waste tags are available for purchase at City Hall and the Library during normal business hours and at Public Safety 24/7. Tags are also available at Durst Ace Hardware, 2450 W. 11 Mile Road, for $2.50 each. (Durst purchased tags for $10 for 4 and is selling them at cost.)
Please note: There is a $1.50 credit card fee at City Hall. Only cash or check is accepted at the Library and Public Safety. Yard waste tags are not available at Public Works.
Bags and cans cannot weigh more than 50 pounds each and are collected on your trash pickup day. Cans must be identified as containing yard waste or compost. Plastic bags containing yard waste will not be collected.
This does include any branches under 4 feet in length or under 2 inches in diameter.
YARD WASTE TAG FAQS
When are yard waste tags required?
Yard waste tags are required July 5 through the rest of the pickup season, which ends Dec. 15.
Is a yard tag required for each bag and can each time?
Yes. A new tag is required for each bag and can of yard waste every week. For example, if you use a reusable 32-gallon bin for your yard waste, you will need to put a new tag on it each time you want it picked up.
How much do yard waste tags cost?
Tags cost $3 each, or 4 for $10 ($2.50 each).
When can I purchase yard waste tags?
Tags are available for purchase at the Library and City Hall during normal business hours and at Public Safety 24/7. They’re also available at Durst Ace Hardware, 2450 W. 11 Mile Road, for $2.50 each. Durst purchased tags for 4 for $10 and is selling them at cost. There is a $1.50 credit card fee at City Hall and the Library and Public Safety accept only cash or check.
Can I purchase yard waste tags at Public Works?
No. Yard waste tags are not available at Public Works.
Can I use yard waste tags from previous years?
Yes. Yard waste tags will not expire at the end of the collection period and will be honored in the next year.
Why is the yard waste tag system being implemented?
Services such as yard waste collection were formally considered to be “free” because they were paid for through City taxes. Unfortunately, millage revenue can no longer fund the full cost of this service, and user-based fees are also needed to keep this service active in our community.
What does the Residential Refuse collection fee on my quarterly water bill cover?
The Residential Refuse fee on the quarterly water bill is used to help offset the cost of refuse, recycling and yard waste collection. Instead of raising the Residential Refuse fee for all residents, the City Council voted to implement the yard waste tag system to support yard waste collection specifically – a service not all residents use.
Is fall leaf curb pickup still happening?
Yes. Leaves may be raked to the curb in neat rows during the collection period Nov. 6-24. Sticks, twigs and other yard debris will not be accepted during curbside leaf pickup. Outside of this collection period, residents can dispose of leaves by placing them in tagged yard waste bags for pickup on their regular collection day.