Automated Trash and Recycling Collection

Service Details

New Automated Trash & Recycling Carts

The City of Plymouth is excited to announce new automated trash and recycling services, starting with the delivery of new carts! This upgrade was authorized by the City Commission as part of a new contract with Priority Waste.

Opt-In Program

All City of Plymouth residents and businesses can opt in to this new service, which utilizes 95-gallon or 65-gallon wheeled carts for trash and recycling.

Cart Sizes & Dimensions

Requesting New Carts

Residents and business owners can request a new 95-gallon or 65-gallon cart for trash, recycling, or both. Your current carts will be replaced with the new ones.
Please call the Department of Municipal Services if you have questions or need a new cart at 734-453-7737.

Benefits of the New Carts

  • Strong and sturdy construction: Built to withstand wear and tear.
  • Attached lids: Reduce odors and keep pests out.
  • Automated collection: Emptied by a truck with an automated arm for increased efficiency.

Important Reminders

  • All trash and recycling must be placed inside the carts.
  • Items left outside or on top of the cart may not be collected.
  • Hazardous materials, liquids, concrete, dirt, and sod are prohibited.

Recycling Guidelines

For a list of acceptable recyclable materials, click here

Delivery Schedule of New Carts

  • Beginning March 3, 2025, new carts will be delivered starting Monday of your scheduled week.
  • Residents will receive 65-gallon sized cart(s) unless you previously requested the 95-gallon size.
  • Click here for the Delivery schedule

Existing Cart Collection

  • After delivery of your new carts, please leave your old trash and recycling carts at the curb following your regular collection day, even if its multiple days later.
  • Old carts will be collected and recycled.

Important Notes

  • Trash and recycling collection days remain unchanged.

History

The City implemented the automated trash collection program in June 2005 to increase the safety, convenience, and efficiency of the solid waste operations.  In January 2015, the automated recycling collection program was added.

Collection Schedule and Holiday Collection

Automated carts must be placed out to the curb by 6:00 a.m. on your scheduled collection day to ensure pickup.  Carts may be placed out starting at noon the day before the scheduled collection day.

Unless residents are otherwise notified, only six holidays impact collection: New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.  When these holidays fall on a Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday, there will be no collection on the holiday and all pickups will be delayed by one day.  For example, if the holiday is on a Monday, then Monday collection will be on Tuesday, Tuesday collection will be on Wednesday, and Wednesday collection will be on Thursday.  If the holiday falls on a weekend, your collection day will not be affected.

View the trash and recycling collection days map

Cost

As of January 1, 2025, trash carts are billed at $10.50 per month per cart. Residential customers are charged quarterly at a rate of $31.50 per cart. There is no additional monthly fee for recycling carts. All charges are applied to your water bill.

How it Works

To ensure pickup, place the cart as close to the curb or roadside as possible with the wheels of the cart facing towards your house.  Place the container so that it has three feet of clearance from parked cars, mailboxes, other carts, and other street hazards or amenities. Ensure the lid can close – overfilled carts may be too heavy or may lose contents when serviced.  If your trash or recycling cart was missed, please call our office as soon as you notice at 734-453-7737 ext. 0.