Let's Roll Livonia

Trash and Recycling Carts

Additional trash and recycling carts can be purchased through Point & Pay. 

Letter from Sam Caramagno from Priority Waste

Thanks to all our residents for participating in using the new Priority Waste trash and recycling carts over the past six months. We hope it has made trash day run smoother for you. There are still a few residents not using the carts, which slows down services. Effective immediately (May 13), only the new carts should be used. Starting May 27, drivers will NOT collect the material if the new carts are not utilized, and ordinance officers may ticket offenders. This does not affect the “plus” items if the new cart is used and full, or if the items are too large.

We also remind residents to back up the cart wheels against the curb (or lawn) and keep the two carts at least three feet apart.

May 13, 2025

A letter from Sam Caramagno, Vice President of Municipal Sales 

In my travels through the city, as well as speaking with the Priority Waste Supervisors and Drivers on routes, it appears that Livonia’s cart deployment has been a tremendous success!

While most residents are participating in the new program, there continue to be a few who use 32/35-gallon trash cans, loose garbage bags and 18/24 gallon recycle bins as their primary containers for weekly collection. Effective immediately residents must discontinue using those small trash cans, trash bags and orange recycle bins that are left at the curb for collection. Going forward, Priority will only service the city issued 64-gallon or 96-gallon containers for the consistency and efficiency of our collections. Priority will tag those households not using the new carts. Thereafter, our drivers will not collect the material if the carts are not utilized first. Please note that this will not affect the “plus” items that will be collected if the cart is full.

In addition to this, many residents continue to place their trash cart directly next to the recycle cart, occasionally causing the driver to exit the cab and separate the carts. Please separate the carts by three feet. This will greatly increase our ability to be more efficient while servicing the City of Livonia.

Cart Needed

If your cart is damaged (such as a broken lid or missing wheel) and needs to be replaced, or you need to exchange your cart for a different size, please call our Department of Public Works at (734) 466-2655 for assistance.

New Trash and Recycle Carts

  1. Where do I put my trash and recycling cart on trash pickup day?
  2. I didn't get a postcard but I want a different size cart. What do I do?
  3. When can I exchange my cart(s)?
  4. I did not receive the correct cart size that I ordered. What do I do?
  5. Where can I find what size my cart is?
  6. When do I start using the new carts?
  7. A recycling cart was delivered to my home, but I do not want it. Will you take it back?
  8. How do I know that I got the right size cart?
  9. Why is the City transitioning to cart collection?
  10. My cart lid isn't closing or fitting tightly. What should I do?
  11. What can I do with my old trash/recycling container/orange bin?
  12. What are the cart dimensions?
  13. What if I have more trash and recycling than my carts can hold?
  14. I did not receive my carts. What do I do?
  15. What if I have bulk materials that need to be collected, like a refrigerator or a mattress?
  16. What if my cart is broken or damaged during servicing?
  17. Will yard waste collection change?
  18. Will I be billed separately for this new value-added service?
  19. Will bulk leaf pickup change?
  20. Where can I store my trash and recycle carts?
  21. I already have a cart-style or similar trash cart. Can I use them?
  22. I am a snowbird. What do I do with my cart?
  23. What items are not allowed in my recycling cart?
  24. Do I still need to separate my trash and recycling?
  25. If I’d like to buy an additional cart for my home, what is the cost?
  26. What items am I allowed to recycle?
  27. I am moving, can I take the carts with me?
View All FAQs

Livonia residents are entering a new era of environmental awareness and litter control, thanks to new refuse and recycling carts that debuted in late 2024. The Livonia City Council approved a new contract with Priority Waste on Monday, Sept. 23, with pricing that calls for the use of new trash and recycling carts by Dec. 1. The Council also approved the purchase of the carts, which gave residents the choice of either 96-gallon or 64-gallon sizes for trash and recycling.

Earlier in fall 2024, residents were asked to select their preferred size for each container by Nov. 18. The Council selected the 96-gallon bins as the default for those who did not indicate a preference. The carts were purchased using the City’s refuse fund balance.

The new carts feature wheels that make them easy for residents of all ages to roll to the curb, with tight-fitting lids that effectively control litter. The larger recycling containers allow residents to safely dispose of more recyclables while sending less waste to landfills. Both carts should be stored behind the front portion of the house closest to the road. The carts are not required to be stored inside a garage or behind a fence. In addition to promoting increased recycled materials – which will decrease the amount of garbage going to a landfill – the new carts also allow for a faster and more autonomous collection on garbage day. The new system will use one-person trucks.





Lets Roll Livonia Flyer 4




Additional Resources

  1. City of Livonia Recycling Survey - July 2023