Trash

DID YOU KNOW?

A trash collection worker in your community can service up to 1,000 homes per day, and lift more than 20 tons of trash throughout the course of his shift!

Each day your trash collector handles hazardous materials, operates heavy machinery, navigates challenging traffic conditions, and works outside in extreme weather. In fact, according to the US Department of Labor, trash drivers are consistently among the top ten most dangerous jobs in the country. By following these guidelines, you will help ensure safe and efficient collection of your household trash.

MMWA Curbside Trash Guidelines

  • 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. Each resident has a one business day window to report a missed pick-up.
  • Trash bags, containers, or carts that contain contamination such as yard waste will not be collected. If you see an orange (WM communities) or yellow (Priority Waste communities) sticker, it probably means your materials are improperly prepared.
  • Do not use bleach, ammonia, cayenne pepper, or other substances on your trash to keep animals away. This creates a safety hazard for the driver, and your materials may not be collected.
  • Place trash and bulk away from your mailbox, parked cars, poles, or low hanging limbs.
  • Holidays that fall on weekdays cause collection to be delayed one day for that day and the following service days for the rest of that week. MMWA observes the following holidays: New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.
  • Each member community determines the level of service their residents receive. Visit your community’s page for more information on trash container guidelines.

MMWA Bulky Waste Guidelines

MMWA residents are allowed up to two bulk items per week. Bulk items should be placed at the curb, along with other properly prepared materials, no later than 7:00 am on your regular service day. MMWA does not schedule bulk pick-up in advance. The trash driver is responsible for collecting your properly prepared bulk item and getting it scheduled for pick up. If the truck is full, or the driver is not able to collect the item by himself, the driver should be placing an orange (WM communities) or yellow (Priority Waste communities) sticker on the material marking the box that reads item pick up scheduled do NOT remove from the curb. The bulk truck runs 1-2 business days behind the regular trash truck.

You can find preparation instructions for most items by using MMWA’s “What Do I Do With it?” search engine on our homepage. If you are still unsure, call MMWA at (989) 781-9555 before you put your bulky item to the curb.

MMWA Special Care Curbside Trash Items

Latex Paint is not hazardous, but it can leave a sticky mess on employees, equipment, and your streets. Oil based paint is hazardous and should be disposed of properly at one of MMWA’s Household Special Waste EventsLatex and water based paint can be safely disposed of in your trash, as long as it is dry and has solidified prior to disposal. Be sure the paint is latex or water based before following these methods. 

Needles, Syringes, Lancets and other sharp objects are special care items and can cause harm to those handling waste materials. These items can be safely disposed of in your trash, as long as you place them in a hard plastic container with a screw lid and duct tape it closed and write “SHARPS” on both sides. Follow these methods for proper disposal. 

MMWA Curbside Brush Guidelines

One bundle of brush is allowed per week. To make a bundle of brush, take your larger branches (two to six inches around) and cut them so they are no longer than four feet. Secure these branches at both ends with twine or duct tape. Your bundle should be no larger than three feet around and weigh no more than 50 pounds. Set your bundle at the curb along with your trash, not your yard waste.

MMWA Unacceptable Curbside Trash Items

  • Automotive Parts
  • Car Batteries
  • Construction Materials
  • Engines and Motors
  • Hazardous Materials
  • Oil Based Paint
  • Oil
  • Propane Tanks
  • Yard Waste defined by State Law, follow MMWA’s Yard Waste Guidelines.

Many of the items not allowed in the MMWA curbside program can be brought to the landfill and disposed of for a fee. There is one operating Landfill in Saginaw County. Please call ahead for verification of material acceptance, disposal charges and hours of operation.

People’s Landfill

4143 E Rathbun Rd

Birch Run (Taymouth Twp)

(989) 777-1145

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