20000 W. Eight Mile Rd
Southfield, MI 48075
(248) 208-2270
   
FAQs

 

 
Common Questions and Concerns
 
Curbside
What day is my trash/recycling/yard waste pick-up?
What a great opportunity to meet your new neighbors. This is probably the easiest way to find out what day your trash gets picked up. Take over some cookies and introduce yourself. If your hair is a mess and you don't feel social, read on....
Farmington: Call your DPW at (248) 473-7250
Farmington Hills: Call your DPW at (248) 871-2850
Novi: No city-wide contract. Be brave and meet those neighbors. Please brush your hair.
Southfield: If you live between 12-13 Mile, Monday; 11-12 Mile, Tuesday; 10-11Mile, Wednesday; 9-10 Mile, Thursday; 8-9 Mile, Friday.
South Lyon: If you live NORTH of the center of Lake St (10 Mile) - your pick-up day is Monday. If you live SOUTH of the center of Lake St (10 Mile) - your pick-up day is Tuesday.
Walled Lake: Wednesday
Wixom: Wednesday

How can I get a recycling bin?
The RRRASOC offices do not have extra bins. Call the city departments listed below to request a new or extra recycling bin:
Farmington: Department of Public Works (248) 473-7250
Farmington Hills: Treasurer's Department (248) 871-2480
South Lyon: DPW, ask for Phyllis (248) 437-2326
Southfield: Neighborhood Center (248) 796-5140
Walled Lake: City Hall (248) 624-4847
Wixom: City Hall (248) 624-0141

Why didn’t you pick up my trash/recycling/yard waste?
We, RRRASOC, are not the contract solid waste hauler in your community. However, we are able to help you to determine the problem, and find a suitable remedy.

My yard waste was in plastic bags and it was left at the curb! Why?
In Michigan, it is illegal to landfill yard waste. Therefore, all leaves, grass clippings, and other yard waste must go to a compost site. Plastic bags do not break down in the composting process, and create problematic odors. As a result, compost facilities will not accept yard waste in plastic bags. You can place your yard waste in either brown paper yard waste bags or a trashcan marked with a “yard waste” sticker.

I put my cardboard with the recycling, but the garbage men take it…why?
In order for the recycling truck to take your cardboard, it must be cut or folded no larger than 3 ’ x 2’ x 1’. The reason for this is the opening on the truck will not accommodate anything larger. If you feel that cutting and bundling is inconvenient, you can bring it to either the Novi or Southfield Drop-offs. The drop-offs only requires that the boxes be flattened.

Which holidays will cause a delay with my trash pick-up?
New Year's Day Tuesday, January 1, 2008 Mon normal schedule, Tues no collection, one day delay for rest of week
Memorial Day Monday, May 26, 2008 one day behind Tuesday – Saturday
Independence Day Friday, July 4, 2008 Mon-Thurs normal schedule, Fri no collection - will be picked up on Saturday
Labor Day Monday, September 1, 2008 one day behind Tuesday – Saturday
Thanksgiving Day Thursday, November 27, 2008 Mon-Wed normal schedule, Thurs no collection, one day delay for rest of week
Christmas Thursday, December 25, 2008 Mon-Wed normal schedule, Thurs no collection, one day delay for rest of week
New Year’s Day Thursday, January 1, 2009 Mon-Wed normal schedule, Thurs no collection, one day delay for rest of week

HHW
I missed my (city’s) HHW day. What can I do?
As a RRRASOC resident, you can attend any of the 5 scheduled HHW events. Please see the Household Hazardous Waste link for more information. If you need to dispose of material immediately (i.e., you are moving), you can make an appointment with Environmental Recycling Group, our HHW vendor. They are located in Livonia. (734) 437-9650. Call to make an appointment.

Why don’t you take latex paint? What can I do with it?
Latex paint is not hazardous. By not accepting it at HHW events, we keep our costs down. Latex paint can safely be put into the trash if solidified. You can do this at home by adding sand or kitty litter to the can of paint. If the paint can is too full, you can splash some out onto newspaper to dry. Leave the lid off, and let it solidify completely. Once this happens, place it at the curb with your trash, leaving the lid off.

How can I tell if my paint is latex?
The paint can should say “latex” or “water-based” on the front. When in doubt, check the clean-up instructions. If it says to clean with mineral spirits or thinner, it is oil-based. If it says to clean up with soap and water, the paint is latex.

Recycling
Where can I have my paper shredded?
Paper shredding is available at all five of the RRRASOC Household Hazardous Waste events. There is a 100 pound or three box limit per household.

Why don’t you accept plastic trays/tubs?
Wide mouth containers, even if they are the same "type" of plastic as a bottle, are manufactured through a different process than narrow neck bottles. One is injection molded and the other is blown molded. As a consequence, they have different densities and different melting points. The plastics processors to which we send sorted and baled plastic do not want wide mouth containers such as margarine or cool whip tubs. If we receive them, we just have to throw them away.

Other Questions
Do you buy scrap metal?
No.

My city isn’t listed as a RRRASOC member. Who can I call with questions?
Your local Department of Public Works is a great resource. Make friends with them.

What do I do with construction debris?
Items such as drywall, windows, plywood and other construction debris are not picked up with your regular trash. You can either call your trash hauler or DPW to arrange a special pick up. Another option is to take your debris to a local landfill. A small fee will apply.