Garbage, Recycling and Hazardous Waste

A Curb Cart is a specially designed Cart that can be collected using a traditional refuse truck, equipped with a lifting device. This automated arm will lift, empty and return your cart to the same spot. The operator never leaves the truck cab. After collection, we request that you roll your empty Cart back to its storage place. Indoor storage in the garage if possible due to the containers ability to retain odors within the container. This means of collection is a relatively new but thoroughly tested and proven method of residential refuse collection used in the solid waste collection industry. Industry professionals are increasingly using it as a more efficient and cost-effective option to the more traditional manual collection.

All household refuse/garbage items may be placed in the cart. It is also recommended that garbage items be bagged and tied, then deposited in your cart. This practice will keep your cart cleaner.

• Please place the cart at least 4 feet from any tree, pole, fire hydrant, etc. and at least 10 feet away from any cars parked in the street so the automated arm can reach your cart.

• Do not over load the container. If the lid is not closed, garbage will be subject to wind and nuisance animals.

• Please do not lean anything against the container.

• Remember to place the arrows on the lid of the container toward the street and the handle toward the house.

• Your container should be placed curbside no later than 7:00 a.m. the day of collection. The emptied container should then be promptly removed from the curbside.

• The emptying of your Curb Cart is guaranteed ONLY if placed curbside on the correct day and time. We can’t be everywhere at 7:00 a.m. but we can be anywhere and that may be in front of your house.

• Yard waste and any household hazardous waste must NOT be placed in the cart. State law requires that we do not mix yard waste, which is compostable, in the cart with garbage.

• Do not put dirt, sod, or rock in the container.

• Do not put flammable material such as oil, gas, paint or “hot ashes” or “coals” in the cart.

• Do not put Muriatic acid and other pool supplies/chemicals in the cart. These can cause chemical reactions in your cart and in our trucks leading to fires and dangerous toxic fumes.

• Do not put concrete, debris from construction, remodeling or demolition in the cart.

There may be times when residents have more trash than the Curb Cart will hold. In this case a resident may place this additional waste in trash bags. Please remember to leave some space between the new Curb Cart and your household bags. National surveys do however indicate the 96-gallon cart is adequate for the average home of four (4) people. Each container will hold the equivalent of three (3) normal trash cans. A second cart will have to be purchased if you consistently cannot fit all garbage bags in your one cart. To order an additional cart, please call GFL at (248) 204-4223. Cost per trash cart is $106.00 and recycling cart is $97.00.

Bulky Waste, Appliances & Furniture – The collection of large bulky waste, such as appliances and furniture, will continue to be part of your solid waste program with GFL-USA. You may set out large bulky items on your regular scheduled service day for collection. Please place large bulky items out separate from other products for collection and have out by 7:00 am. large items may include: washers, dryers, freezers, refrigerators, air conditioners, hot water tanks, stoves, microwaves, couches, chairs, tables, dressers and other large items. FYI: Please remove the doors and racks from refrigerators and freezers prior to setting out for collection. Also, it is GFL’s responsibility to make sure Freon is extracted according to current environmental standards. Please note that some larger bulk items, like freezers and large appliances may be picked up by a separate truck and may take up to 24 hours to remove.

Prepare your recycling materials according to the information provided in the informational flyer. Place them in the recycling bin, and place the bin out at the curb on the same day as your refuse and yard waste. Remember the more you properly recycle means the more natural resources you will save in addition to saving room in your Curb Cart. To view the Curbside Recycling Guidelines, click on the image below.

Curbside yard waste collection is part of your regular waste collection. Priority Waste collects yard waste on your regularly scheduled service day. A separate truck starts picking it up on the first full week of April and ends the first full week of December.

Yard waste includes:

• Garden waste

• Leaves

• Lawn cuttings

• Shrubs & tree trimmings/pruning waste

What is NOT considered yard waste:

• Dirt

• Sod

• Large stumps

• Sand

• Gravel

• Animal feces

• Dead animals

Please place your yard waste out in 32-35 gallon plastic and metal containers marked “Yard Waste.” Biodegradable (kraft bag) yard waste paper bags also can be set out for collection during the compost season. To eliminate spillage and possible injury, please do not overload containers. Weight limit on 32-35 gallon containers is 50 pounds, and biodegradable bags depend on manufacturer’s recommended capacity.

Bundled yard waste: Bundled brush and tree limbs larger than 2 inches in diameter will be collected with the trash. Bundles should not exceed 4 feet in length, 18 inches in diameter and 50 pounds in weight. Please tie with heavy twine or rope.

Christmas trees: Christmas trees will be collected at the curb for three weeks following Christmas Day. Trees taller than 6 feet should be cut in half.

If any of the holidays listed below fall on a weekday your pick up will be delayed by one day.

New Years Day
Labor Day
Memorial Day
Thanksgiving Day
Independence Day
Christmas Day

Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) is the unwanted or unusable portion of products that contain substances that can be harmful to human health and the environment.

Look for the words Danger, Warning, or Caution on the product label. “Danger” warnings are found on extremely hazardous products. “Warning” and “Caution” indicate less of a hazard, however, these products should be handled carefully and disposed of with caution. A hazardous product can be toxic, flammable, corrosive, reactive or any combination of these.

A poisonous product which can cause illness. Pesticides, paint thinners, auto products and some cleaners are toxic. Look for warning labels like “Harmful or fatal if swallowed”.

A product which can catch fire spontaneously or burn easily. Paint thinners, solvents, and auto products are the most flammable home products. Look for warning labels like “Do not use near heat or flame”.

A product which can cause a chemical reaction which will eat through materials or living tissue. Oven cleaners, drain cleaners, toilet bowl cleaners and automotive batteries are common corrosive products. Look for warning labels like “Causes severe burns on contact”.

A product which can explode or react violently when subjected to heat, sudden shock, pressure or contact with an incompatible substance. Pool/spa chemicals, fireworks and ammunition are the most explosive or reactive products.

Disposing of HHW in the trash can endanger sanitation workers, or contribute to contamination of leaking landfills.

Dumping HHW in storm drains, or into sewer or septic systems, can pollute drinking water sources, lakes and streams.

Improper storage and handling of HHW poses fire hazards or poisoning risks

For a list of acceptable and non-acceptable items please click here.

Commerce Township holds an HHW Collection Day once a year in late September. The 2024 collection date is September 28, 2024, 9 AM - 1 PM. This collection day is for Commerce Township residents only – excluding Wolverine Lake (as your refuse collection is paid to the village). CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION.