The City of Southfield yard waste collection program will begin the week of April 6 on residents’ designated trash collection day. Residents are advised that all private contractors are responsible for collecting and disposing of their own brush collection. The City is not responsible for disposing of any brush produced by contractors who have been hired by residents.

Yard waste includes leaves, grass clippings, branches, brush and other organic material only. Branches and brush refuse must be placed with the cut ends towards the curb on the regular trash collection day. Other yard waste must be placed in approved paper yard waste bags or in a rigid container clearly marked ‘Yard Waste.’ Yard waste in plastic bags will not be accepted. Branches placed at the curb will be removed by workers with brush chippers. Depending upon the amount of branches, it may take longer than the designated trash collection day to dispose of them. 

Yard waste will be collected on residents’ regular garbage collection day through December 11, 2026. 

Yard Waste Collection Guidelines

Yard Waste is collected curbside on your regularly scheduled rubbish collection day. Yard waste must be placed in approved paper bags or containers marked with a yard waste sticker that may be obtained by calling (248) 796-4860; or the container may be marked with a “Y.” YARD WASTE WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED IN PLASTIC BAGS.

Brush Collection Guidelines

The following ae the guidelines to help you follow the regulations for the curbside pick-up of brush:

• Branches must be stacked at the curb with the cut ends facing the street; and branches less than 2” in diameter and 4’ in length should be put in compost bag or can. Smaller sticks and twigs should be placed out for compost collection in a yard bag or can. 
• Brush piles should be no longer than 8’ in length, and 36” in height (approximately 2 full strides in length and slightly about knee in height). 
• No limbs over 6” in diameter.
• Vines and all branches with thorns must be put in compost bags, and not left for the chipper.
• No logs, roots, stumps, dirt, timber, railroad ties, building material, rocks, or other rubbish. 
• Residents may have to rake up small branches after the large piles are removed.
• The collection of large amounts of brush resulting from tree removal or lot clearing requires the use of a private tree removal service. DPW will not chip tree removals done by a contractor or resident. 
• Whole trees or parts of entire trees will not be taken at any time. 
• Once area is cleared, crews will not return to that area.

Residents are advised that hired contractors are responsible for collecting and disposing of their own brush collection. The city is not responsible for disposing of any brush produced by contractors who have been hired by residents.

Questions regarding yard waste collection may be directed to the Public Works Department at (248) 796-4860.