Sterling Heights Trash Pickup & Garbage Schedule 2026: Collection Day, Recycling, Yard Waste, Bulk and Holiday Guide
Sterling Heights residential trash pickup is handled by Priority Waste, with regular collection Monday through Friday depending on your neighborhood. Most homes now use a 95-gallon refuse cart and a 65-gallon recycling cart, and the biggest 2026 mistakes are using old GFL information, placing extra bags outside the cart, putting bulk out as a cleanout pile, or missing holiday-delay weeks.
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Quick Answer for Sterling Heights Residents
Your normal Sterling Heights trash, recycling, yard waste and weekly bulk service is tied to your assigned weekday route. Use the official collection map first, then set carts out no earlier than 1 p.m. the day before and no later than 7 a.m. on collection day. Keep cart lids closed, place the lid opening toward the street, and do not place items in the street.
Weekly refuse cart
Use the approved 95-gallon refuse cart. Bag household trash inside the cart. Loose bags next to the cart are not normal collection.
Loose in blue cart
Do not bag recyclables. Paper, cardboard, cans, glass bottles and accepted plastic containers go loose in the recycling cart.
Seasonal weekly pickup
2026 yard waste collection runs March 30 through Dec. 11. Use paper yard bags, an approved brown yard cart or a properly labeled eligible cart.
Five-item limit
Bulk items are collected on your regular day with a five-item weekly limit. Move-outs, large remodels and big cleanouts need a special pickup or dumpster.
Priority Waste: 586-228-1200 or 855-927-8365. Sterling Heights DPW: 586-446-2440, option 8. After-hours DPW emergency: 586-469-5151.
How to Find Your Sterling Heights Trash Pickup Day
Sterling Heights uses weekday collection areas, not one citywide pickup day. The official collection map shows Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday areas. If your address is near a colored boundary, do not guess from a neighbor; call Priority Waste or DPW.
- Open the official collection map. Use the Priority Waste / City map to find your normal weekday route.
- Confirm the weekday label. Sterling Heights pickup areas are shown as Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.
- Set one reminder for weekly trash. Trash is weekly, but holiday weeks can shift service.
- Add recycling, yard waste and bulk notes. Recycling is curbside, yard waste is seasonal, and bulk is limited to five items weekly.
- Check holidays before setting carts out. Memorial Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year 2027 have listed 2026/2027 delays.
Sterling Heights 2026 Pickup Tools
Use these quick tools before pickup morning, before holiday weeks, and before placing large items at the curb. They are planning helpers; official City and Priority Waste rules still control final service decisions.
Sterling Heights Cart Set-Out Rules: Avoid a Missed Pickup
The cart system is automated, so placement matters. A correct pickup day can still fail when carts are late, blocked, overloaded, turned the wrong way, or surrounded by extra bags.
Correct cart setup
- Place carts out no earlier than 1 p.m. the day before collection.
- Have all refuse out by 7 a.m. on your scheduled day.
- Place carts at the curb with the lid opening facing the street.
- Keep lids closed when possible to reduce litter and rodents.
- Leave at least 3 feet between carts and away from vehicles, mailboxes and landscaping.
- Keep carts out from under overhead obstructions like tree branches.
- Remove carts after collection and store them behind the front line of the home or in the garage.
Common pickup problems
- Loose trash inside the cart.
- Additional refuse bags outside the cart.
- Trash or recycling placed on top of the cart lid.
- Items placed in the street.
- Yard waste in the refuse cart.
- Recyclables inside plastic bags.
- Bulk items mixed with move-out, eviction or large remodel debris.
| Container / item | Limit or rule | Resident note |
|---|---|---|
| Refuse cart | 95-gallon cart, listed 60-pound weight limit when full | Use the approved refuse cart and bag material inside the cart. |
| Additional refuse cart | Priority-approved additional cart listed at $110, price subject to change | Better than repeatedly leaving loose bags outside the cart. |
| Yard waste cart | 95-gallon cart, listed 100-pound weight limit when full | Use a Priority brown cart or approved former cart with proper stickers. |
| Paper yard waste bag | 30-gallon heavy-duty paper bag, listed 50-pound weight limit | Clear, colored or black plastic bags are not accepted for yard waste. |
| Old GFL dark green refuse cart | May be used as a secondary refuse cart if it is the eligible City-marked cart | It may also be used for yard waste if properly labeled with compost/yard waste stickers. |
| Old bright green GFL recycling cart | Not serviced by Priority Waste as a recycling cart | Use the blue recycling cart for curbside recycling. |
Sterling Heights Holiday Trash Schedule 2026
Sterling Heights lists specific 2026 refuse collection delays. Do not assume every federal holiday changes pickup. Use this table for the listed delays and confirm with Priority Waste if weather or route notices are active.
| Holiday | Official 2026 delay pattern | Practical reminder |
|---|---|---|
| Memorial Day — Monday, May 25, 2026 | One-day delay all week. | Monday moves to Tuesday, Tuesday to Wednesday, and so on through Saturday. |
| Labor Day — Monday, Sept. 7, 2026 | One-day delay all week. | Every weekday route slides one day later. |
| Thanksgiving Day — Thursday, Nov. 26, 2026 | One-day delay Thursday and Friday only. | Thursday moves to Friday, Friday moves to Saturday; earlier routes are not listed as delayed. |
| Christmas Day — Friday, Dec. 25, 2026 | One-day delay Friday only. | Friday pickup moves to Saturday. |
| New Year’s Day — Friday, Jan. 1, 2027 | One-day delay Friday only. | Useful for the last week of the 2026 calendar year. |
Sterling Heights Bulk Trash Pickup: Five Items Weekly
Sterling Heights bulk pickup is weekly on your regular collection day, but it is not unlimited. There is a five-item limit for bulk refuse pickup each week. Each bundled item counts as one bulk item.
Normal weekly bulk
Appliances, furniture, properly prepared carpet, certain small remodel items, mattresses and bundled wood/cardboard can be collected on your regular day.
Do not create a cleanout pile
Large house cleanouts, garage cleanouts, large remodels and move-outs may need a paid special pickup or dumpster.
Some items are not bulk
Dirt, brick, wet paint, oils, nail wood, hot tubs, pool tables, trash bags and boxes filled with refuse do not qualify as normal bulk.
| Bulk item | Accepted path | Preparation note |
|---|---|---|
| Refrigerator or freezer | Bulk on regular day | Doors must be removed before placing at the curb. |
| Furniture | Bulk on regular day | Counts toward the five-item weekly limit. |
| Mattress | Bulk on regular day | Use a mattress bag if soiled or if there is any bug infestation. |
| Carpet / padding | Bulk if rolled and tied | Bundles must be 4 feet or shorter and 50 pounds or less. |
| Wood boards | Bulk if bundled | No nails or screws; tie in 4-foot-or-shorter bundles. |
| Large cardboard boxes | Bulk / recycling preparation | Break down and bundle in 4-foot-or-shorter bundles. |
| Wet paint cans, oils, dirt, brick, block, hot tub, pool table | Not normal bulk | Use HHW, cleanup events, special pickup, private disposal or contractor disposal as appropriate. |
| Move-out, eviction or large remodel pile | Not normal weekly bulk | Call Priority Waste for special pickup or rent a dumpster. |
The City guidance describes special pickup as a paid option and lists a range of $137.50 to $275 depending on size. Call Priority Waste at 586-228-1200 to confirm current pricing before ordering.
Sterling Heights Yard Waste Schedule 2026
Yard waste collection begins March 30, 2026 and ends Dec. 11, 2026. Place yard waste a few feet away from trash; when possible, use opposite sides of the driveway so carts and yard material are not confused.
What can go out
- Branches and brush less than 4 feet long, securely tied and bundled.
- Christmas trees from Jan. 2 through Feb. 2.
- Flowers and other soft plant material.
- Grass clippings and garden weeds.
- Leaves and shrubs.
Keep these out
- Sod, dirt and rocks.
- Root balls and oversized branches.
- Plastics and plastic bags.
- Logs.
- Dead animals and animal feces.
| Container | Accepted? | Resident note |
|---|---|---|
| Heavy-duty paper yard waste bag | Yes | 30-gallon paper bag, 50-pound limit when full. |
| Priority Waste brown 95-gallon yard waste cart | Yes | 100-pound limit when full. |
| Former dark green City-marked cart with compost stickers | Yes, if properly labeled | Stickers should be on both sides as described by DPW guidance. |
| Clear, colored or black plastic bag | No | Plastic bags of any type are not accepted for yard waste. |
Sterling Heights Recycling Schedule and Blue Cart Rules
Sterling Heights offers curbside recycling to single-family homes through Priority Waste. The main rule is easy: do not bag recyclables. Put accepted items loose in the blue recycling cart.
Common recyclable items
- Paper, newspaper, inserts, junk mail, magazines and catalogs.
- Flattened cardboard and clean paperboard boxes.
- Plastic containers marked 1 through 7, except motor oil containers.
- Clean glass bottles and jars; colored glass is accepted.
- Tin, steel and aluminum cans and small clean metal items.
- Empty aerosol cans.
Keep out of the blue cart
- Bagged recyclables, plastic bags or plastic wrap.
- Styrofoam.
- Batteries or electronics.
- Hoses, cords or wires.
- Wire or plastic hangers.
- Metal strips, ceramics, food-contaminated material and motor oil containers.
Plastic bags in the blue cart can ruin a good load. Empty recyclables loose into the cart, then reuse or store the bag separately for store drop-off if accepted.
2026 DPW Spring Clean-Up, E-Waste, HHW and Shred Events
Some items are better handled at special events, not at the curb. Sterling Heights lists several 2026 DPW events at 7200 18 Mile Road.
| 2026 event | Date and time | What it helps with |
|---|---|---|
| Electronics Recycling Event | April 11, 2026, 9 a.m.–2 p.m. | Old televisions, computers and electronic devices with electrical cord attachments. |
| Household Hazardous Waste Event | April 18, 2026, 9 a.m.–2 p.m. | Accepted household hazardous materials for Sterling Heights residents. |
| Shred Day | April 25, 2026, 9 a.m.–2 p.m. | On-site shredding, limit of three paper-size boxes per person. |
| Clean-Up Saturdays | May 9 and May 16, 2026, 9 a.m.–2 p.m. | Residents may bring items like furniture, lumber, tires, dirt and tree stumps, subject to inspection. |
Clean-Up Saturdays do not accept commercial waste, air conditioning units, ammunition or explosives, DEA controlled substances, lab chemicals, non-standard gases, radioactive materials, shock sensitive materials, unknown gases or medical sharps.
Paint, Syringes, Appliances and “Odd” Disposal Questions
A lot of Sterling Heights searches are not really about the weekly schedule. They are about one problem item: paint cans, needles, old appliances, motor oil, cardboard, or leftover remodel material.
| Item | Best path | Important preparation |
|---|---|---|
| Latex paint | Regular trash only after drying | Mix with kitty litter or paint hardener, let it solidify, leave lids off, then contain in trash bag/cart/can. |
| Oil-based paint, thinner, adhesives, print shop chemicals | HHW event | Do not put these in normal trash or pour down drains. |
| Medical syringes / sharps | Regular trash only if safely contained | Use a heavy container such as a detergent bottle or metal coffee can, close cap tightly and seal with duct tape. |
| Refrigerator / freezer | Bulk / white goods truck on collection day | Remove doors before placing at curb. |
| Used motor oil | Auto parts / service retailers | The City lists local/regional businesses such as auto parts stores and tire/lube locations as better disposal routes. |
| Electronics | E-waste event or other electronics recycler | Do not put electronics in the blue recycling cart. |
Missed Trash Pickup in Sterling Heights: What to Check Before Reporting
Sterling Heights residents can report missed pickup, complaints and service issues through the Priority Waste Service Request Portal. Before reporting, check the common causes so the request is faster and more accurate.
Before you submit a missed pickup
- Was it your actual route day from the map?
- Was there a 2026 holiday delay?
- Were carts out by 7 a.m.?
- Were carts set out before 1 p.m. the day before, creating a code issue?
- Was the lid opening facing the street?
- Were carts at least 3 feet away from other carts, vehicles and mailboxes?
- Were extra bags outside the cart?
- Was the item bulk, yard waste or HHW instead of regular trash?
Use the right contact
Use the Priority Waste Service Request Portal for missed trash, recycling, yard waste or bulk collection. For questions that need City help, call DPW at 586-446-2440, option 8.
Assisted / Backdoor Service for Seniors and Disabled Residents
Priority Waste lists backdoor service for qualified residents over age 67 or residents with a doctor-verified permanent disability. The City also describes door-side cart service for disabled residents who are incapable of moving refuse or recycling carts to the collection area.
Mobility or disability barrier
If moving the cart to the curb is physically unsafe or not possible, contact Priority Waste for program details and eligibility.
Call Priority Waste
Call 855-927-8365 or 586-228-1200. Residents may also contact DPW for application guidance.
“Trash Pickup Near Me” in Sterling Heights: City, Apartment, HOA or Neighboring Community?
Searches like “Sterling Heights trash pickup near me” often happen when someone moved, lives near a boundary, or is in an apartment/condo. The City and Priority Waste rules on this page are for Sterling Heights residential service. Apartments, condos, commercial properties, nearby Shelby Township, Utica, Warren, Fraser or Clinton Township addresses may use different service.
Use the collection map
Find Monday through Friday route day, then follow City/Priority cart and bulk rules.
Ask property management
Dumpsters, private haulers, move-out rules and bulk disposal may be different from curbside carts.
Do not copy rules
Macomb County boundaries can be confusing. Use your city name and service address before setting out items.
Priority Waste now matters
Old GFL notes may not match current cart, recycling, bulk, yard waste or support procedures.
Map: Sterling Heights DPW and Event Location
For DPW events, staff contact, cart sticker questions and local waste guidance, the Department of Public Works is listed at 7200 18 Mile Road, Sterling Heights, MI 48314.
Use this map for DPW location help. Do not use it to decide your pickup day; pickup day comes from the collection route map and your address.
Official Sterling Heights Links and Contacts
Use the right link for the problem. Pickup day, damaged cart, recycling question, HHW event and special pickup are different tasks.
Priority Waste: 586-228-1200 or 855-927-8365. DPW: 586-446-2440, option 8. DPW after-hours emergency: 586-469-5151. Macomb County HHW scheduling help: 586-469-5236.
Related Trash-Pickup.org Guides
These internal guides help residents compare Michigan, Midwest, bulk, recycling and holiday rules without landing on an unrelated page.
Resident Intent Coverage: What This Page Solves
This guide is written for real searches such as Sterling Heights trash pickup schedule, garbage collection day, Priority Waste Sterling Heights, trash pickup by address, Sterling Heights holiday trash schedule, bulk pickup, missed pickup, yard waste pickup 2026, recycling rules, GFL vs Priority Waste, extra cart, HHW event, e-waste event and trash pickup near me. Each search intent is answered with a practical section, tool, table, checklist, map or FAQ.
Map-first pickup day
The page sends residents to the official route map and explains boundary-address risk.
Five-item rule
Bulk pickup is explained by item type, preparation, rejected material and special pickup cost guidance.
Useful weekly tools
The route, holiday, item and bulk counters give residents a reason to save the page and check before pickup day.
Sterling Heights Trash Pickup FAQ
Who collects trash in Sterling Heights in 2026?
Priority Waste is the contracted hauler for Sterling Heights residential trash, recycling, yard waste and bulk collection service.
How do I find my Sterling Heights trash pickup day?
Use the official Sterling Heights / Priority Waste collection map. The map shows Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday pickup areas. Call Priority Waste or DPW if your address is near a boundary.
What time should Sterling Heights trash be out?
All refuse must be out by 7 a.m. on your scheduled collection day. Do not place refuse or yard waste curbside earlier than 1 p.m. the day before collection.
What holidays delay Sterling Heights trash pickup in 2026?
Memorial Day and Labor Day delay all routes one day for the week. Thanksgiving delays Thursday and Friday only. Christmas 2026 delays Friday only. New Year’s Day 2027 delays Friday only.
When does yard waste pickup start and end in Sterling Heights in 2026?
Yard waste collection begins March 30, 2026 and ends Dec. 11, 2026. Christmas trees are listed for Jan. 2 through Feb. 2 collection.
Can I put yard waste in plastic bags?
No. Yard waste will not be picked up in clear, colored or black plastic bags. Use heavy-duty paper yard bags, a Priority brown yard cart or an approved properly labeled cart.
How many bulk items can I put out in Sterling Heights?
There is a five-item weekly limit for bulk refuse pickup. Each individually bundled item counts as one bulk item.
Do I need to schedule normal weekly bulk pickup?
Normal eligible bulk items are serviced on the same day as regular collection without an additional cost, within the five-item limit. Large cleanouts, large remodels or move-outs may need a paid special pickup or dumpster.
Can I place extra trash bags outside my Sterling Heights cart?
Extra refuse bags outside the cart are not normal collection. If you often have more trash than fits in the 95-gallon cart, consider an additional approved cart or a special pickup.
Can I recycle plastic bags in Sterling Heights?
No. Plastic bags and plastic wrap are not accepted in the blue recycling cart. Recyclables should be placed loose in the cart.
Can I recycle glass in Sterling Heights?
Yes. Clean glass bottles and jars are accepted, including colored glass. Ceramic items are not accepted.
What should I do with oil-based paint or chemicals?
Oil-based paint, paint thinner, adhesives and similar chemicals should go to a household hazardous waste event, not regular trash. Latex paint can be dried out and disposed of in regular garbage when prepared correctly.
Who do I call for missed trash pickup in Sterling Heights?
Use the Priority Waste Service Request Portal or call Priority Waste at 586-228-1200. For City solid waste questions, call DPW at 586-446-2440, option 8.
Is Trash-Pickup.org the City of Sterling Heights?
No. Trash-Pickup.org is an independent resident help guide. Use the official City of Sterling Heights and Priority Waste links on this page for live service rules, fees, delays, forms and final decisions.
Final Sterling Heights Resident Summary
Sterling Heights trash pickup is handled by Priority Waste, with routes Monday through Friday based on the official collection map. Put carts out no earlier than 1 p.m. the day before and no later than 7 a.m. on pickup day. Keep lids closed, face the lid opening toward the street, leave 3 feet of spacing, and do not place items in the street.
For 2026, yard waste runs March 30 through Dec. 11, recycling goes loose in the blue cart, and bulk pickup is weekly with a five-item limit. Memorial Day and Labor Day delay all routes one day; Thanksgiving delays Thursday and Friday only; Christmas delays Friday only. For missed pickup, damaged carts, special pickups or service questions, use Priority Waste or call DPW.
Franklin TN Trash Tools
Holiday calculator | Buck-A-Bag counter | Recycling checker
Mon–Fri, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Call (615) 794-1516 to confirm