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Refuse and Recycling

The Refuse and Recycling Division provides refuse collection by a private contractor, Tringali Sanitation, once per week servicing over 30,000 single-family homes, condominiums, mobile homes, duplexes, and small commercial businesses. Refuse from 4,298 apartments is also collected on a weekly basis.

City of Troy provides refuse collection and recycling services to about 30,000 households. Recycling is collected curbside. Troy residents recycled over 4,100 tons of materials including newspapers, glass, plastic, and metals.

Troy residents help reduce waste sent to landfills by participating in the separate yard waste collection. Approximately 8,000 tons of yard waste was diverted. Yard Waste Collection Begins the Week of April 4, 2011

For ways you can use your lawn clipping to benefit your landscape, see SOCRRA Healthy Lawn & Garden Education Program.

Special Note:

City Ordinance states that trash containers cannot exceed a 35-gallon capacity and cannot weigh over 60 lbs when full. Because of the health and safety issues associated with repeatedly picking up oversized trash containers, the City of Troy's contractor does not empty these containers. If you own a trashcan over the 35-gallon limit, you have several options. The first is to wheel your container to the curb, remove the bags, and set the bags by the curb for pick-up. The second is to purchase a new container that does not exceed the 35-gallon limit. The third option is to purchase a 90-gallon polycart from our waste hauler, Tringali Sanitation. This 90-gallon cart is hydraulically lifted and emptied into the truck. It does not have to be lifted by the workers. If you are interested in one or more 90-gallon carts, please contact Tringali Sanitation at 248.585.9120.

IMPORTANT INFO on REFUSE, RECYCLING & YARD WASTE PICKUP

• Trash Pickup Schedule Map
  
• Apartment and Condominium Collection
  
• Approved Containers
  
• Items not Picked up
  
• Large Items
  
• Special Household Waste
  
• Latex Paint
  
• Preparing Items
  
• Recycling
  
• Electronic Equipment
  
• Collection Times
  
• Christmas Tree Chipping Services
  

APARTMENTS AND CONDOMINIUM COLLECTION

• All regulations and restrictions apply.
• Approved disposal material must be placed in plastic bags securely tied. No loose materials should be placed in dumpsters.

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APPROVED CONTAINERS

• Sturdy, tied plastic bags or any durable metal or similarly constructed container designed for the storage of garbage may be used. Containers must have lids and handles.
• Waste receptacles may not exceed 35-gallon capacity or less than 10-gallon capacity.
• Non-conforming containers such as pails, cardboard boxes, metal drums, bushel baskets, etc. will be considered rubbish and MAY BE disposed of along with their contents.
• The combined weight of container and contents may not exceed 60 pounds.
• No single piece of refuse (except for items approved under "Large Household Item Pickup") may weigh more than 60 pounds or exceed 3 feet in length or 3 feet in girth.
• You may use a 90-gallon Polycart (because it can be machine lifted by the trucks). It is a wheeled, large capacity refuse container with an attached lid. They are available for purchase for $80 from Tringali Sanitation (or $90 delivered). Call 248.585.9120 between 9 am and 5 pm for information.

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ITEMS NOT PICKED UP

• Branches over 2 inches in diameter and over 4 feet in length
• Concrete
• Debris originating from building, demolishing, altering or repairing of structures, including, but not limited to, shingles, siding, paneling, plasterboard, ceiling tile, fencing, railroad ties, wooden decks, scrap lumber, garage doors, furnaces and boilers, oil tanks and drums
• Dirt
• Yard Waste in plastic bags
• Hazardous chemicals
• Hot ashes
• Large motor vehicle parts
• Liquid of any kind
• Masonry
• Motor vehicle batteries or tires
• Paint cans (unless empty with lids removed or contents air-hardened or mixed with kitty litter or sand)
• Shrubs
• Sod
• Stone
• Tree stumps
• Wood, including but not limited to, tree stumps, branches, shrubs, over 2 inches in diameter and 4 feet in length

Pickup service for the above items (excluding hazardous chemicals) is available through the contractor upon request on a fee basis. Call 248.585.9120 for details.

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LARGE HOUSEHOLD ITEM PICKUP

Two pieces of furniture or household appliances will be picked up each week if placed at the curb. Excessive amounts due to moving, flooding or fire will be on a special call-in basis and a charge will be made for this service.

The following items require special handling:

• Carpeting must be folded or rolled and tied (or duct taped), not to exceed 3 feet in width and 60 pounds in weight.
• Refrigerators and freezers -- must have the doors removed.

If items cannot be put in the regular collection truck, the contractor will pick them up within 48 hours (two working days). Any items weighing in excess of 250 pounds will not be collected.

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SPECIAL HOUSEHOLD WASTE

Oil paints, garden chemicals, automotive products, oils, household cleaners, solvents, insulin syringes, and other hazardous materials on appointment basis only! Call SOCRRA's Special Household Waste Hot Line for an appointment: 248.288.5153

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LATEX PAINT

Latex Paint (NOT oil paint), can be dried and placed in your regular trash for disposal. Follow these simple steps - 1) Dry the latex paint in a well ventilated area, away from children and pets; 2) Add absorbent material such as kitty litter or sawdust to help absorb the moisture; 3) The dried paint can put placed with your regular trash. Remember - don't over-buy paint. If you ask the paint store, they can give a good estimate for how many gallons you need for an area. If you have extra paint - check with local theater groups, schools and churches - they may take it as a donation.

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PREPARING ITEMS FOR PICKUP

• Garbage must be thoroughly drained and wrapped, then placed inside a plastic bag. The refuse collector is not allowed to reach into any container to dislodge the contents.
• Care should be taken when disposing of broken glass or other sharp objects, especially if plastic bags are used. Such items should be securely wrapped to prevent puncture of the bag and possible injury to the refuse collector.

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RECYCLING

Curbside Collection of Soft Yard Waste

• All soft yard waste should be placed in a 35-gal (or less), regulation-size container with a Yard Waste decal or 30-gal., brown paper bag designated for yard waste (find them at hardware stores, supermarkets, lawn care resources, etc.)
• Brush or branches less than 2 inches in diameter and less than 3 feet long are to be bundled, tied and weigh less than 60 pounds. We suggest you place 5 bundles per week at your curb. The bundles will be picked up as yard waste, not "trash", per State regulations.
• Do not exceed 60 lbs per container.
• Curbside collection of compost runs for 35 weeks (first week of April to the first week of December).
• Residents are encouraged to leave grass clippings on their lawns or compost in their backyards.
• Backyard composting must follow City Ordinance requirements.
• Yard Waste may be taken to SOCRRA Troy Transfer Station from the middle of December to April 1 at no cost

Recycling bins can be purchased from the Community Affairs Office in City Hall for $10

Recycling Items Collected Curbside

• Paper/Books/Newspapers/Junkmail & more! It's okay to mix the different types of paper together in your recycling bin. Just place all paper inside of brown paper grocery bags which are also recyclable. Recyclable papers are Office paper (any color, staples OK), Junk Mail (window envelopes - OK), Construction paper (crayon marks - OK), Manila folders, Loose-leaf paper, Computer paper, Carbonless forms. Magazines & catalogs. Telephone books, Newspapers and any inserts, Paperback books, Shredded paper (place in tied, clear plastic bags)
• Paperboard (i.e. cereal, laundry soap boxes, ice cream containers, milk and juice boxes) - fold inside a brown paper grocery bag or largest cereal box
• Corrugated cardboard, paperboard, boxboard - cut into bundled no larger than 2'x2'x1' and tie securely. Discard packing material, badly stained items. Remove all food, cellophane and liners.
• Household batteries - store in a clear plastic bag. (No automotive batteries - they may be dropped off at SOCRRA drop off center, 995 Coolidge Road; Mon-Sat, 8am-6pm

Recycling plastic, glass and metal containers

• Plastic containers/jugs/bottles - any # plastic can now be recycled; clean and remove caps/lids
• Empty Metal paint and empty metal aerosol cans - leave lids off
• Clear, Blue, Green & Brown Glass bottles/jars - rinse out & remove lids; (no ceramics, mirrors, coffee cups, plates or window glass)
• Metal cans/metal lids/pie tins/small metal objects: clean, place loose metal lids inside metal cans and squeeze




We Can Do More

SOCRRA credits the City of Troy $30 per ton for all recycled items picked up at the curb. So instead of paying full disposal costs, our disposal bill is reduced. The City of Troy had over $122,000 deducted from our bill of $1 million to SOCRRA for 2007. Of this amount, over $99,000 was for all the types of paper accepted: newspapers, magazines, catalogs, junk mail, construction paper, envelopes, loose leaf paper, computer paper, office and school papers, etc.

Recycling Update

With the recent expansion of the curbside recycling program in Troy, we believe it is easier than ever to recycle. While we prefer you to recycle at your curb, if that is not possible there are 2 other recycling centers in Troy.

TRINGALI Recycling Drop Off Center

Will accept plastic jugs and bottles, newspapers, magazines, cardboard, small metal items.

33373 Dequindre - Just north of 14 Mile Road, west side of street
Monday-Friday 7 am-5 pm
248.585.9120

SOCRRA Recycling Dropoff Center

All curbside items PLUS plastic bags, auto and lead acid batteries, scrap metal, CDs, cassettes, VHS tapes, DVDs, and hardback books.
By appointment: Household Hazardous Waste and Electronic Equipment, call 248.288.5153.

995 Coolidge Highway between 14 & 15 Mile Roads (Across from Meijer)
Monday-Friday 7 am-6 pm; Saturday 7 am-2 pm
248.288.5153

For the disposal of motor oil, please see locations listed below

• Uncle Ed's, 2988 E. Big Beaver 248.528.3550 Free, will dump resident's container and return
• Uncle Ed's, 3801 Rochester Rd. 248.689.9250 Free, will dump resident's container and return
• O'Reilly's Auto Parts (formerly Murray's Discount Auto), 957 E. Auburn Road at John R, 248.853.7770, Free
• Somerset Automotive Service, 1705 Blaney, 248.643.6363, Free
• Gary Knurek/Goodyear (corner of Biltmore & Livernois), 1973 Livernois, 248.362.0350, Free

For the recycling of Compact Flourescent Lightbulbs (CFLs)

• Drop off free at all Home Depot locations. A container should be near the service desk.

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COLLECTION TIMES

ALL REFUSE MUST BE PLACED AT THE CURB BY 7 AM ON YOUR COLLECTION DAY

Regular Refuse Collection is scheduled Monday through Thursday, from 7 am until routes are completed. Refuse should be placed at the curb no sooner than 5pm on the preceding day. Containers should be removed as soon as possible, but no later than 24 hours after pickup. See Map to find your regular collection day of the week.

Holiday Collection delays

If a holiday occurs on a weekday, collection for the remaining days of that week will be one day late. Holidays include:

• New Year's Day (January 1st)
• Memorial Day
• Independence Day (July 4th)
• Labor Day
• Thanksgiving Day
• Christmas Day (December 25th)

Curbside Christmas Tree Chipping Service

Place your tree at the curbside on your regular refuse day. Please assure that the cut end of the tree faces the direction of traffic and that all ornaments, tinsel, hooks, etc., are removed. Do not place the tree in a plastic bag.

If you have any questions, please call the Department of Public Works at 248.524.3399.

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DID YOU KNOW?

• Routes begin at 7 am and run until finished. Routes may alternate, so always make sure your trash, yard waste and recycling is out by 7 am.