Detroit Bulk Trash Pickup Rules (2026 Rules & Calendar)
Bulk pickup is listed as available for up to 5 items per collection. Collection must be scheduled before your regular collection day or placed on your designated bi-weekly bulk collection route. Items must be placed at the curb.
Detroit bulk pickup rules
| Collection rule | Collection must be scheduled before your regular collection day or placed on your designated bi-weekly bulk collection route. Items must be placed at the curb. |
|---|---|
| Limit per pickup | 5 items |
| Permitted materials | Furniture |
| Advance notice | Required before collection. |
| Dispatch phone | 313-224-3901 |
Allowed vs. disallowed bulk materials
Furniture
AcceptedHousehold furniture such as couches, chairs, and tables can be set curbside for bulk pickup.
Appliances
Accepted with conditionsLarge metal appliances can be picked up; Freon units require advance coordination or specialized drop-off.
Construction debris
Not acceptedDemolition waste, concrete, and commercial contractor materials are not accepted curbside.
How to throw away a mattress in Detroit
Follow the listed bulk rule: Collection must be scheduled before your regular collection day or placed on your designated bi-weekly bulk collection route. Items must be placed at the curb.
Special disposal mandates
Plastic mattress encasement: The listed rules do not require mattress bagging. Confirm any material-specific handling instructions before pickup. Read mattress bagging laws →
Freon sticker for refrigerant appliances: The sticker requirement has not been verified. Confirm the appliance procedure with dispatch.
Detroit Curbside Scavenging & Trash Picking Rules
Whether you want usable items salvaged before the compactor crushes them or you are looking for scrap metal, understand the local curbside legal boundaries in Detroit.
Public Curb vs. City Cart Ownership
Under federal precedent, property discarded in public rights-of-way is legally abandoned. However, many municipal ordinances classify materials placed inside official city-owned recycling carts as city property. Removing materials from inside containers can trigger municipal pilfering fines.
Mark Usable Items with a "FREE" Sign
If you want scrap metal collectors or neighbors to haul away working appliances, lawnmowers, or furniture before bulk pickup day, tape a clear "FREE" sign to the item and place it directly on the curb line away from your private driveway.
Detroit Area Landfills & Citizen Drop-Off Stations
When you have large renovation loads, dirt, concrete, or bulky waste exceeding curbside limits, self-haul directly to a verified transfer station or county landfill serving Wayne County.
📍 8221 W Davison, Detroit, MI 48238
Municipal drop-off location accepting bulk items, yard waste, and household rubbish for Detroit residents.
📍 12255 Southfield Fwy, Detroit, MI 48228
DPW drop-off facility accepting residential bulk waste, tree branches, and recyclable materials with proof of residency.
All open truck beds and trailers must be secured with a tarp. Unsecured loads face an immediate $20 to $50 state fee at the scale.
Most facilities have a minimum entry fee ($25 to $45) covering up to 1,000 lbs, with prorated per-ton rates for heavier commercial debris.
To receive discounted residential gate rates, bring a valid state driver license and a current local municipal water or utility bill.
If your project exceeds city bulk limits, review our dumpster rental vs. bulk pickup cost comparison or read our construction debris weight guide.
Local disposal alternatives in Wayne County
For items that cannot go at the curb, check these official disposal resources. Confirm accepted materials, residency requirements, fees, and hours before visiting.
Davison Yard Drop-Off Facility
8221 W Davison, Detroit, MI 48238
Municipal drop-off location accepting bulk items, yard waste, and household rubbish for Detroit residents.
Southfield Yard Drop-Off Facility
12255 Southfield Fwy, Detroit, MI 48228
DPW drop-off facility accepting residential bulk waste, tree branches, and recyclable materials with proof of residency.
The nearest eligible transfer station or landfill depends on your address and the material. These resources are not ranked by distance.
DPW & sanitation contact
City of Detroit Department of Public Works · contractor
Phone: 313-224-3901
2 Woodward Ave, Suite 611Detroit, MI 48226
These collection rules cover Zone City of Detroit Curbside Service Area.
Trash & recycling questions
What days is trash collected in Detroit, MI?
Listed trash collection days are Monday and Tuesday and Wednesday and Thursday and Friday. Set containers out Place container on the street with wheels against the curb by 7 a.m. on collection days and remove same day.. These rules apply to Zone City of Detroit Curbside Service Area.
Is garbage pickup delayed for holidays in Detroit?
As of 2026-10-10: No observed holidays this week. Collections follow the regular schedule. A listed holiday shifts that day and the remaining collection days in its service week by one day. Observed holidays: New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day. These rules apply to Zone City of Detroit Curbside Service Area.
How do I schedule bulk trash pickup in Detroit?
Collection must be scheduled before your regular collection day or placed on your designated bi-weekly bulk collection route. Items must be placed at the curb. The listed limit is 5 items per pickup. Advance notice is required. Contact sanitation at 313-224-3901 to confirm eligibility and arrange service. These rules apply to Zone City of Detroit Curbside Service Area.
What items are accepted for recycling in Detroit?
The listed accepted materials are Paper (newspaper, junk mail, flattened cardboard and box board, magazines, mixed paper), Metal (empty cans and aerosol cans, aluminum, tin), Plastic (clean bottles and jugs with necks narrower than bases). Keep these listed prohibited items out: Plastic bags or film wrap, Plastic cups, utensils, and food storage bags, Styrofoam and takeout containers, Food waste and soiled pizza boxes, Pyrex, ceramics, and bubble wrap packing materials. Confirm item-specific preparation rules with the official sanitation office. These rules apply to Zone City of Detroit Curbside Service Area.