Public Works    Contact Info
3238 Bacon
Berkley, MI 48072

248.658.3490 phone

248.658.3491 fax
publicworks@berkleymich.net


Office Hours
M-F 7AM - 3:30PM
City Calendar

Yard Waste & Leaf Pickup Service


YARD WASTE/COMPOST 

A printable version of the yard waste pickup schedule will be available here soon. Please note: The 2024 yard waste pickup season will begin the first full week of April, which means April 1 in 2024.

YARD WASTE DETAILS:

  • Yard waste is collected on your trash pickup day from the first full week of April through mid-December. Yard waste tags are required on each bag or can that you place out for pickup from April 1 through November 1.
  • 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 the end of 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
Yard waste tags will be required for the 2024 yard waste collection period, starting the first week of April. Yard waste without a tag will not be picked up. Each tag costs $3, or four tags may be purchased for $10. 


Yard waste tags will be available for purchase at City Hall and the Library during normal business hours and at Public Safety 24/7. Tags will also be available at Durst Ace Hardware, 2450 W. 11 Mile Road. 

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 and may not be larger than 32 gallons. 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 from the first full week of April (April 1, 2024) until November 1. 

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?
Yard waste tags cost $3 for one tag, or $10 for four tags. You may reuse tags from the 2023 yard waste season if you have some left.

When can I purchase yard waste tags?
Tags will be available for purchase at the Library and City Hall during normal business hours and at Public Safety 24/7. They will also be available at Durst Ace Hardware, 2450 W. 11 Mile Road.  Please note there is a $1.50 credit card fee at City Hall.  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 formerly 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 fall leaf collection period. 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 yard waste bags for pickup on their regular collection day.

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