Sterling Heights, MI Trash & Recycling: Bulk Item Disposal (2026)
Key Facts
- Bundle limit
- 50 lbs, 3 ft x 3 ft
- Covers
- single-family, duplex, townhouse, condo
- Prep
- remove nails/screws from wood
- Oversized items
- set out intact for pickup
Summary
Sterling Heights requires large items like furniture and appliances to be broken down and tied in bundles under 50 pounds and three feet in size, or set out intact if too big to break down, for curbside collection by the city's waste contractor.
Large refuse items, such as appliances, furniture, carpeting, machinery, or the like, generated by single-family homes, duplexes, residential condominium complexes receiving curbside collection, or townhouses shall be broken down or disassembled and placed in approved receptacles as provided in § 23-2(A) or securely tied compact bundles which do not exceed 50 pounds in weight, three feet in length and three feet in girth. All nails, screws, fasteners and/or similar objects shall be removed from any lumber or wood prior to being placed in an approved receptacle or being placed for collection by city's waste contractor.
(2) Large refuse items, such as large appliances and furniture, which cannot be broken down or disassembled, shall be placed for curbside collection in a manner to facilitate handling by the city's waste contractor.
(B) Bulk refuse collection for residential condominium complexes not receiving curbside collection.
(1) Large refuse items, such as mattresses, hot water heaters, appliances, furniture, carpeting, equipment, machinery, or the like, generated by residential condominium complexes not receiving curbside collection shall be broken down or disassembled and placed in approved receptacles as provided in § 23-2(D) or securely tied compact bundles which do not exceed 50 pounds in weight, three feet in length and three feet in girth. All nails, screws, fasteners and/or similar objects shall be removed from any lumber or wood prior
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-46: Local legislation current through Ord. 509, passed 5-19-26).
Full Breakdown
Under Code of Ordinances § 23-4, single-family homes, duplexes, townhouses, and condominium complexes receiving curbside service must break down large refuse, appliances, furniture, carpeting, machinery, and either fit it in the approved 95-gallon cart or tie it into a bundle capped at 50 pounds, three feet long, and three feet in girth, with all nails, screws, and fasteners pulled from any wood first. Items too large to break down, like large appliances and furniture, go out intact for the contractor to handle. Condo complexes without curbside service follow the same bundling rule for their mechanical container area. Commercial establishments can't use city containers for bulky items and must arrange their own private disposal.
Violations & Fines
Waste that does not conform can be tagged and rejected under § 23-21; if the resident doesn't fix it within 24 hours, the city orders a special collection and bills the owner the collection cost plus an administrative fee.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I put an old couch out with regular trash pickup?
Does the city pick up bulky items from businesses?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Sterling Heights
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Bulk Item Disposal in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Macomb County handle bulk item disposal.