City to roll out new residential waste, recycling carts

Sterling Heights city officials are gearing up for a change in their residential refuse cart and curbside recycling program that is scheduled to begin in April.

The city is transitioning to a unified cart system and universal curbside recycling after the City Council approved switching waste haulers from GFL Environmental to Clinton Township-based Priority Waste.

Beginning in April, Priority Waste will deliver one 95-gallon dark green refuse cart and one 65-gallon blue curbside recycling cart to residents. Residents will begin using the new containers on their first regularly scheduled collection day, on or after May 1

Mayor Michael Taylor said Priority Waste’s “reputation for excellence and their commitment to eco-friendly waste management” coincide with the city’s “Think Sterling Green” clearinghouse of sustainability initiatives

“A uniform cart system is certainly more pleasing to the eye, but it also prevents open bags attracting rodents, cans and lids from blowing around the streets on windy days and heavy lifting of bags and cans that aren’t on wheels,” he said. “It’s best practice among communities nationwide, and it’s simply a better system altogether.”

To get the word out about the changeover, Sterling Heights launched a campaign called “We’re On a Roll” developed by The Recycling Partnership, a nonprofit organization focused on improving recycling in communities across the country.

As part of the campaign, every resident will receive two pieces of direct mail about the program and will get a set of instructions on how and when to use the cart attached to the physical carts to be delivered in April. In addition, paid content was placed on social media, YouTube, Google and in local newspapers.

Mike Moore, the city’s DPW director, said officials were impressed with Priority Waste’s processes, which include supervisors being connected to drivers in real time via video and GPS systems that track each truck’s progress and can help them be alerted immediately if there are any issues that need to be addressed.

“Priority’s ability to quickly resolve issues helps save a tremendous amount of money on things like missed stops and returns, and these savings are trickling down to our residents. It’s a big win,” he said.

This past September, the Sterling Heights City Council awarded a 10-year contract for waste collection and curbside recycling services with Priority Waste. The contract represents a $23 million savings to local taxpayers over the course of the 10-year agreement.

In the fall of 2023, Sterling Heights was awarded two grants to bring curbside recycling to residents — a $659,400 grant from the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) and a $664,000 Residential Curbside Recycling grant from The Recycling Partnership.

Officials said the move to universal curbside recycling further solidifies the city’s dedication to promoting responsible waste management and enhancing quality of life for its residents.

Mayor Taylor said city leaders are grateful to EGLE and The Recycling Partnership for their support of Sterling Heights’ recycling program. He said the funding allows the city to make a “significant positive impact on the environment.”

More information and answers to frequently asked questions is available on at sterlingheights.gov/onaroll, or residents can call DPW at 586-446-2440.