Trash & Recycling in Westland, MI

Westland maintains 112 local ordinances across all categories, and 5 of those deal specifically with trash & recycling. Here is a breakdown of what the city actually requires, what is prohibited, and where Westland falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.

Yard Waste Collection

Westland requires yard waste, grass, leaves, brush, and branches, bundled to four feet long and three inches thick, tied in 60-pound bundles or 40-pound paper bags, set five feet from trash and recycling for weekly curb pickup.

Key details: Max bundle size: 4 ft long, 3 in diameter. Max weight: 60 lbs bundle, 40 lbs bag. Separation from trash: 5 feet at curb. Collection: Once weekly, curbside. Plastic bags: Prohibited, § 82-7.

Yard waste placed in plastic bags, in oversized bundles, or too close to trash and recycling receptacles violates §§ 82-7 and 82-10; chapter-wide violations carry up to a $500 fine and 90 days under § 82-12.

Bin Placement Rules

Westland requires trash, recycling, and yard waste receptacles to sit on private property between collections, not in alleys or on public property, unless the building itself extends to the alley line.

Key details: Storage location: Private property only. Alley/public property: Prohibited, narrow exception. Collection day: Curb/roadside, § 82-10. Code section: § 82-8 (Code 1981, § 16-8).

Storing a receptacle in an alley or on public property outside the building-line exception violates § 82-8; tampering with someone else's receptacle violates § 82-9. Solid waste violations carry up to a $500 fine and 90 days under § 82-12.

Bulk Item Disposal

Westland requires oversized trash cut to 3 feet and bundled under 60 pounds before curbside collection, with fees applied.

Key details: Max length: 3 feet. Max bundle weight: 60 pounds. Billing: Per admin fee schedule. Enforcing dept: Director of Public Services.

Noncompliant bundles (oversized, over 60 lbs, or unbundled) can be left uncollected by the hauler; the chapter's general penalty applies to violations, up to a $500 fine and/or 90 days for repeat/willful noncompliance.

Collection Schedule

Westland collects solid waste weekly and recyclables every two weeks at the curb in front of each residence.

Key details: Solid waste: Weekly. Recycling: Every 2 weeks. Yard waste: Weekly, in season. Notice for schedule change: 2 weeks mailed.

Missing a scheduled pickup because a receptacle wasn't out isn't separately fined, but the director may adjust a household's day only once per calendar year without city council approval for a second change.

Illegal Dumping

Westland bans dumping litter, refuse or garbage on any private property, occupied or not, and makes unauthorized dumping in a private dumpster a misdemeanor under Section 42-42 of the city code.

Key details: Citation: § 42-42(a)-(b). Max fine: $500 per offense (§ 1-8). Max jail: 90 days. Applies to: any occupied private property citywide.

Dumping litter or refuse on private property, or placing waste in someone else's dumpster without authorization, is a misdemeanor punishable under § 1-8 by up to a $500 fine and 90 days in jail.

This is one of the stricter rules in Westland's municipal code. If you are unsure whether your situation complies, it is worth checking with the city before proceeding.

The Bottom Line

Westland's trash & recycling rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Westland is broadly strict or permissive.

This guide is based on Westland's current municipal code. Local rules can and do change, so check the individual ordinance pages for the latest details, penalties, and FAQs.