Frequently Asked Questions

Below are the answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about MMWA curbside solid waste collection services. More details can be found on the main Trash, Recycling, Yard Waste, Hazardous Waste, Electronics, and Other pages.
It’s noon and my trash is usually collected by 8 am. Should I call to report a missed pickup?
Residents should have their trash out by 7:00 am on their regular service day. If your properly prepared materials were out within the proper timeframe but not picked up, please leave them out until they are serviced. Report all missed collections on your service day or before 5:00 pm the next business day by calling MMWA at (989) 781-9555. Each resident has a one business day window to report a missed pick-up. Remember, you have a service day not a collection time, routes run until finished.
I see Priority Waste/WM trucks collecting my trash, recycling, and yard waste. Shouldn’t I call Priority Waste or WM if I have a collection question or concern?
You should always call MMWA with your curbside collection questions. Priority Waste and WM is the company hired to provide collection services to residents in Mid Michigan Waste Authority’s 34 member communities, and the City of Saginaw provides yard waste and recycling services to its residents, but MMWA handles all resident questions. Waste Management and Priority Waste services vary among the communities they serve, and MMWA has specific program rules and guidelines unique to our program. To receive accurate information about your curbside collection services as a resident in an MMWA member community, please call MMWA at (989) 781-9555.
I am new to the area. Does MMWA provide cans or carts for trash, recycling and yard waste?
Residents in communities that are serviced by Priority Waste should use trash bags up to 55 gallons in size or cans (rigid plastic container with handles) between 20-35 gallons in size. Contents should weigh less than 50 pounds. For recycling residents should use a can (rigid plastic container with handles) up to 45 gallons in size labeled with a recyclables only sticker or the 18 gallon bin. Contents should weigh less than 50 pounds. Residents in communities that are serviced by WM should place trash into the MMWA cart with the blue lid labeled trash only. For recycling, residents should place recycling loose into the MMWA cart with the green lid labeled recyclables only. Each member community determines the level of service their residents receive. Visit your community’s page for more information on trash and recycling container guidelines.
If the weather is bad, should I still put my materials to the curb?
There are a number of public services that can be impacted by inclement weather, and refuse collection is no exception. We encourage residents to consider holding their materials for another week if it is very windy. If you must put trash out on a windy or stormy day and live in a community serviced by Priority Waste make sure it is bagged. When the ground is covered in snow, do not use white trash bags, as they will not be visible to the driver. In frigid weather, yard waste and rubbish can freeze in the can; drivers do not bang cans to dislodge materials because that can cause damage to the container. If you must put trash out on a windy or stormy day and live in a community serviced by WM make sure it is bagged inside your trash cart. Do not place trash and recycling carts in the street. This creates a hazard as carts can get hit by vehicles or damaged by snowplows. Do no place carts on top of snow piles, the placement might cause your trash and recycling carts to topple over. Make sure to keep your lids closed all the way so snow and rain don't get in your carts. This will help keep the contents from freezing. If the driver cannot easily dislodge the contents of your trash and recycling carts, he will have trouble emptying them.
Collection services in my area were canceled due to inclement weather. When will my materials be picked up?
Roads that are found to be impassable when a truck goes by will not have collection service reattempts until the community’s regular collection day the following week. Please pull your materials back in and set them out next week. In the event that collection is canceled in an entire community, MMWA will alert residents via its website and Facebook page. Three area television stations – NBC25, WEYI25, and FOX66 – will also include refuse collection cancellations in their weather delay/school closing lists. If you are unsure about whether your collection services are canceled for the day, please call us at (989) 781-9555 or visit www.recyclemotion.org or our Facebook page.
What can I do with paint and other household chemicals that are not allowed in my curbside trash?
Latex paint is not hazardous and can be dried out by taking off the cover and letting it dry out, or by adding cat litter or shredded paper to absorb the paint; once the paint is dry, you can put the empty can in your trash.  Oil-based paint and hazardous materials like gasoline, oil, acids, mercury, paint thinner and fluorescent bulbs should be disposed of at one of MMWA’s Household Special Waste events, which are typically held in the spring and summer. Call the MMWA office at (989) 781-9555 for more information.
Why is there an orange/yellow sticker on my curbside materials?
Drivers will leave a yellow (Priority Waste) or orange (WM communities) sticker to explain why materials were not collected, or to inform the resident that their bulky item has been scheduled for pick up. Please read the sticker for more details before calling MMWA.
Where do I get more “Yard Waste” or “Recyclables Only” stickers?
Contact your municipal office or MMWA. Click here for your community contact information.
I need to rent a dumpster for my home or business. Can you help?
MMWA provides residential curbside collection services for its member communities. We do not handle dumpster rental. Please contact a local waste hauler for this information.