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SOCRRA

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
ON WASTE/RECYCLING

What do I do with...?

 
  • APPLIANCES

SOCRRA only takes washers, dryers, refrigerators, air conditioners, etc. for free at the Troy Transfer Station as long as “Freon has been removed sticker” is on the item – place in “scrap metal” pile on west side of the building.  If Freon needs to be removed, there is a fee.  Click here for location, hours of operation & rates.
 

  • ASBESTOS HOUSE SIDING AND CEILING TILES

A regular trash item; not the same type of asbestos that is used for insulation or pipe wrap.  
Click here for location, hours of operation & rates.
 

  • ASBESTOS INSULATION (PIPE WRAP/FURNACE INSULATION)

Not acceptable-must be delivered directly to any licensed sanitary landfill in yellow garbage bags labeled "asbestos". Can't be compacted in a garbage truck or through a transfer station because the harmful fibers will become airborne.

  • AUTO PARTS

SOCRRA doesn't accept engines (call a junk yard).  SOCRRA will take metal doors or metal bumpers for free-as scrap metal at the Troy Transfer Station.  Place in scrap metal pile on west side of the building.  Click here for location and hours of operation.
 

  • BATTERIES (AA, C, D, button-"dry cell")

Residents in SOCRRA's Member Municipalities should place these small batteries in a plastic baggie in their recycling bin.  SOCRRA doesn't accept batteries from businesses, nor from non-residents due to high cost for disposal.  Not accepted at SOCRRA's Recycling Drop-off Center either.  
 

  • BATTERIES FROM CARS, MOTORCYCLES, BOATS, GOLF CARTS, LAWN MOWERS, ETC. (“LEAD ACID”)

Recyclable at SOCRRA's Recycling Drop-off Center at no charge (cannot be placed in the curbside bin). Home Depot, just north of the MRF, takes rechargeable batteries from small power tools.   Click here for location & hours of operation.
 

  • BOOKS

Hardcover books can be dropped off at SOCRRA's Recycling Drop-off Center (cannot be placed in the curbside bin).  Paperback books can be placed in the curbside bin. Click here for location & hours of operation.
 

  • BRUSH, BRANCHES

Residents of Berkley, Birmingham, Ferndale, Hazel Park, Lathrup Village & Oak Park are to neatly stack 4 to 12-foot long branches (up to 6-inch diameter) at the curb, with large ends closest to the street, so they can be chipped by their City's contractor.  Or, branches can be cut into 4 to 4 1/2 feet lengths, bundled with twine and placed at the curb to be collected as trash (bundles cannot weigh more than 40 pounds).

Residents of Beverly  Hills, Clawson, Pleasant Ridge, Royal Oak & Troy are to cut branches 4 to 4 1/2 feet long, bundle and place at the curb, for collection as trash, or hire a private contractor to chip branches.

Residents of Huntington Woods are to neatly stack 4 to 12-foot long branches (up to 6-inch diameter) for chipping by the City's contractor.

Residents of SOCRRA's Member Municipalities can bring compostable bundles (branches less than 4 feet long and less than 2 inches in diameter) into the Troy Transfer Station during the winter months at no charge.  Click here for location, hours of operation & rates.

Small twigs are not considered brush and should be placed with yard waste. 
 
  • BUILDING MATERIALS

See Waste Reduction Guidebook for reuse options, otherwise bring these materials to SOCRRA for disposal.  Click here for location, hours of operation & rates.
 

  • CARDBOARD BOXES
To have your cardboard boxes picked up for recycling at curbside, prepare in one of the following ways:
1) Unfold, flatten and bundle boxes with twine or tape and place inside, next to or under bin.

2) Unfold, flatten and stuff smaller boxes into larger box (no larger than 18"Wx24"Lx24"H) along with other fiber items and place inside or next to bin.

You can also bring them to SOCRRA's Recycling Drop-off Center "as is" - no need to break them down, tie or tape them.  Click here for location & hours of operation.
 

  • CDs, DVDs, VIDEOTAPES AND CASSETTES

        NEW! These items can be brought to SOCRRA's Recycling Drop-off Center (cannot be
        placed in the curbside bin).  Please remove discs from plastic cases and place in separate
        containers.  Click here for location & hours of operation.

 

  • CHEMICALS (UNMARKED) FROM BASEMENT

Label them as best you can.  Residents of SOCRRA's Member Municipalities can bring them in through the HHW program by appointment only (248.288.5153).
 

  • CEMENT

See concrete.
 

  • COMPOST

Compost is usually available at member municipalities' DPWs for their residents only (check with your DPW to see if they have a supply on hand).  SOCRRA usually has compost available for sale at the Compost Site in Rochester Hills from spring to fall.  Compost is free just for Rochester Hills residents (as much as you can shovel, but there is a fee if you wish to have your vehicle loaded).  Click here for location, hours of operation & rates.
 

  • CONCRETE

Take to: Novi Crushed Concrete, 46900 W. 13 Mile Road in Novi (free) 248.305.6020, T J Fiore Crushed Concrete for inexpensive disposal (33300 Mound Road in Sterling Heights) 586.939.6200.  Otherwise, SOCRRA accepts at Troy Transfer Station (broken to 1' x 1' pieces or smaller) for a fee.  Click here for location, hours of operation & rates.
 

  • COOKING OIL

Technically not a hazardous waste, but since a liquid (i.e., not a “solid waste”), should not be thrown in trash. Residents of SOCRRA's Member Municipalities can make a HHW appointment for this.  Call 248.288.5153.
 

  • DRINK BOXES AND PAPERBOARD BEVERAGE CONTAINERS

    See "PAPERBOARD BEVERAGE CONTAINERS AND DRINK BOXES".

 

  • DVDs

    See "CDs, DVDs, VIDEOTAPES AND CASSETTES".

 

  • ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT (TVs, computers, telephones, etc.)

Residents of SOCRRA's Member Municipalities only; no businesses---must make appointment via HHW hotline 248.288.5153 to drop off at Troy facility. Resident can bring in HHW at same appointment.  There's an 80 pound per appointment limit.  Phone line for making appointments sporadically staffed from 10 am - 4 pm M-F.  Government offices in any of SOCRRA's member communities can make an appointment at 248.288.5150 to bring in their computers (but no other electronics).
 

  • FLUORESCENT LIGHT BULBS

SOCRRA doesn’t take from businesses; residents of SOCRRA's Member Municipalities must make HHW appointment.  Call 248.288.5153.
 

  • FREON REMOVAL

SOCRRA will accept appliances with the Freon still in them, at Troy Transfer Station, for a fee.  Click here for location, hours of operation & rates.
 

  • GASOLINE

Will take at Troy Transfer Station via HHW appointment (residents of SOCRRA's Member Municipalities only; no businesses).  Needs to be brought in a State Fire Marshal-approved container (not a milk jug).  Cannot return container since SOCRRA doesn't dump the fuel, only places resident's container in a 55-gal drum for disposal.  Call 248.288.5153 to schedule appointment.  Residents can bring in gas cans through the Household Waste program.  They are not accepted as scrap metal through the SOCRRA Drop-Off Center as they present explosion hazards when items are shredded.
 

  • GLASS BOTTLES

NEW! All colored glass bottles (including green and blue) can be brought to SOCRRA's Recycling Drop-off Center.  Only brown and clear glass bottles can be placed in the curbside bin.  Click here for location & hours of operation.
 

  • HARDCOVER BOOKS

    Hardcover books can be dropped off at SOCRRA's Recycling Drop-off Center (cannot be placed in the curbside bin).

 

  • HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE DIRECT LINE

248.288.5153 (Troy Transfer Station Site)
 

  • HOURS OF OPERATION

Click here for location, hours of operation & rates.
 

  • INSULIN SYRINGES

Residents in SOCRRA's Member Municipalities should place in metal coffee can
     and bring in via HHW appointment.  Call 248.288.5153.
 

  • JUNK MAIL

Place in paper or plastic bag in curbside bin in SOCRRA's Member Municipalities with newspapers and other mixed fiber.
 

  • LANDSCAPE TIMBERS

Cut to 4 feet lengths or less, bundle and place at the curb as trash.  Bundles cannot weigh more than 60 pounds (no loose material).  You can also bring them to the Troy Transfer Station.  Click here for location, hours of operation & rates.

  • LOGS

Burn as firewood or cut to 2 foot lengths or less, bundle and place at the curb as trash.  Bundles cannot weigh more than 60 pounds.  You can also bring them to the Troy Transfer Station.  Click here for location, hours of operation & rates.

  • LUMBER, 4X4’s, DEMOLITION MATERIAL

Cut to 4 foot lengths or less, bundle and place at the curb as trash.  Bundles cannot weigh more than 60 pounds.  You can also bring them to the Troy Transfer Station.  Click here for location, hours of operation & rates.
 

Berkley, Beverly Hills, Birmingham, Clawson, Ferndale, Hazel Park, Huntington Woods, Lathrup Village, Oak Park, Pleasant Ridge, Royal Oak, Troy.
 

  • MILK CARTONS

    See "PAPERBOARD BEVERAGE CONTAINERS AND DRINK BOXES".

 

  • MOTOR OIL CONTAINERS OR BOTTLES WITH A ‘POISON’ LABEL

    Place empty cans or bottles in trash.  Otherwise make a HHW appointment at 248.288.5153.

  • PAINT CANS

    If empty and clean – place in recycling bin.
    If liquid paint is still in can – residents of
    SOCRRA's Member Municipalities can make an appointment through HHW.  Call 248-288-5153 to schedule an appointment.
    If dried thick crust of paint – put in trash or scrape out so empty can is recyclable.
  • PAPER

    Office paper, junk mail, construction paper, manila folders, loose-leaf paper, computer paper, carbonless forms, magazines & catalogs, telephone books, newspapers, paperback books - Place all together in a brown paper (or plastic) bag in your curbside recycling bin or bring to SOCRRA's Recycling Drop-Off Center.  Shredded paper can be placed in tied, see through plastic bags in the curbside bin in SOCRRA's Member Municipalities or you can bring to SOCRRA's Recycling Drop-Off Center. 
    Click here for location & hours of operation.

  • PAPERBACK BOOKS

    Place
    in brown paper (or plastic) bag in curbside bin in SOCRRA's Member Municipalities or bring to SOCRRA'S Recycling Drop-Off Center.  Click here for location & hours of operation.

 

  • PAPER SHREDDING

    Paper shredders are housed in a shed at SOCRRA's Recycling Drop-Off Center (free and open to the public; no appointment needed).  Shredded paper stays with SOCRRA. 
    Click here for location & hours of operation.

  • PESTICIDE DISPOSAL

Residents of SOCRRA's Member Municipalities only; call HHW hotline to set
     up appointment (248.288.5153).

  • PLASTIC BAGS

    NEW!  SOCRRA accepts clean, empty plastic bags at the Recycling Drop-off Center (cannot be placed in the curbside bin).  Place the bags (grocery store, drugstore, dry cleaners) in the containers in the Plastic Bag shed.  No twine or plastic handles please. 
    Click here for location & hours of operation.

     

  • PLASTIC CONTAINERS

    All plastic containers (must be a container!) can be placed in your curbside bin in SOCRRA's Member Municipalities or can be dropped off at SOCRRA's Recycling Drop-Off Center. Examples of acceptable material are plastic water bottles, plastic tubs, plastic trays, plastic buckets (kitty litter containers), milk jugs, orange juice containers, soap containers, microwave dishes, Cool Whip containers, butter tubs, shampoo bottles, molded plastic containers (like strawberry containers, plastic flower flat containers), etc.  Please make sure they are empty and rinsed out Click here for location & hours of operation.
  • PROPANE TANKS

Residents of SOCRRA's Member Municipalities only; call HHW hotline (248.288.5153).  These are not accepted as scrap metal at SOCRRA's Recycling Drop-Off Center as they present explosion hazards when items are shredded.  If you live outside SOCRRA's boundaries, call your local DPW.  Consider taking empty tanks to exchange center (at hardware store or gas station) for refill as a spare.

  • RAILROAD TIES

Cut in lengths less than 4 feet, bundle and place at the curb as trash.  Bundles cannot weigh more than 60 pounds.  You can also bring them to the Troy Transfer Station.  Click here for location, hours of operation & rates.
 

  • SHINGLES

Throw in the trash.
 

  • SHRUBS WITH ROOTS

Accepted at the Troy Transfer Station for a fee.  Click here for location, hours of operation & rates.
 

  • STYROFOAM

SOCRRA doesn’t have a processor for Styrofoam.  Save pieces for packaging and discard the surplus.
 

  • THERMOMETERS

Will only take those that are not broken, from residents in SOCRRA's Member Municipalities.  Call HHW hotline to set up appointment (248.288.5153).  If thermometer is broken and/or resident wants to discard carpet, etc. from a spill---SOCRRA cannot accept---call the county health department.
 

  • TIRES

Whole tires are no longer acceptable for disposal in landfills (per State).  Residents are encouraged to take tires to a tire installation store for proper disposal for a small fee.
 

  • TREE LIMBS

Residents of Berkley, Birmingham, Ferndale, Hazel Park, Lathrup Village & Oak Park are to neatly stack 4 to 12-foot long branches (up to 6-inch diameter) at the curb, with large ends closest to the street, so they can be chipped by their City's contractor.  Or, branches can be cut into 4 to 4 1/2 feet lengths, bundled with twine and placed at curb to be collected as trash (bundles cannot weigh more than 40 pounds).

Residents of Beverly  Hills, Clawson, Pleasant Ridge, Royal Oak & Troy are to curt branches 4 to 4 1/2 feet long, bundle and place at curb, for collection as trash, or hire a private contractor to chip branches.

Residents of Huntington Woods are to neatly stack 4 to 12-foot long branches (up to 6-inch diameter) for chipping by the City's contractor.

Residents of SOCRRA's Member Municipalities can bring compostable bundles (branches less than 4 feet long and less than 2 inches in diameter) into the Troy Transfer Station during the winter months.  Click here for location, hours of operation & rates.

Small twigs are not considered brush and should be placed with yard waste. 
 

  • TREE STUMPS

SOCRRA doesn't accept.  Check with your local DPW for disposal options.
 

  • TROY TRANSFER STATION

Click here for location, hours of operation & rates.
 

  • TRUCK WEIGHING

SOCRRA has a certified scale at the Troy MRF and will provide weight and ticket.  Click here for location, hours of operation & rates.
 

  • TWIGS

    Pencil-thin twigs should be broken up and placed in yard waste bag or container for composting.
  • VIDEOTAPES

    See "CDs, DVDs, VIDEOTAPES AND CASSETTES"

 

  • WOODEN FENCE POSTS

Cut in lengths less than 4 feet, bundle and place at the curb as trash.  Bundles cannot weigh more than 60 pounds.  You can also bring them to the Troy Transfer Station.  Click here for location, hours of operation & rates.
 

  • YARD WASTE (Over winter months)

Residents (not businesses) in SOCRRA's Member Municipalities can bring their bags of leaves or brush bundles (not Christmas trees) to the Troy Transfer Station over winter months only, for composting, at no charge.  SOCRRA does not accept grass in plastic bags because the grass becomes very odorous between the time the lawn is cut and the time the material is collected at the curb.  Residents can bring leaves in plastic bags, but they will have to empty them themselves since we do not accept the plastic bags with the yard waste. Click here for location & hours of operation.


Copyright © 2006 [SOCRRA]. All rights reserved.
Revised: February 11, 2008.