Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Allendale
Michigan residential pickups occur weekly. Please check your local township or city map for your exact neighborhood collection day.
State Mandate
Keep yard clippings out of landfills. Return deposit bottles separately.
Varies by Hauler Bin (Trash)
Place bins at the curb the night before or by 6:00 AM on your scheduled collection day. Keep bins completely clear of snowbanks.
Accepted Items
- ✓Household garbage
- ✓Food wrappers
- ✓Dried latex paint
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
Varies by Hauler Bin (Recycling)
Rinse all containers clean and break down cardboard boxes. Do not bag recyclables; place them loosely in the cart.
Accepted Items
- ✓Corrugated cardboard
- ✓Mixed paper
- ✓Metal food & beverage cans
- ✓Clear and colored glass
- ✓Plastic bottles and jugs
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Aerosol cans
- ✕Latex paint
- ✕Window glass
- ✕Ceramics
Yard Waste Bin
Must be placed in paper yard waste bags or specially marked yard waste carts, strictly adhering to your private hauler's seasonal guidelines.
Accepted Items
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Small brush
- ✓Twigs
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
By Request Only
Placement
Place approved bulk items neatly at the curb no more than 24 hours before your privately scheduled collection date, ensuring they do not block sidewalks or roadways.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture
- ✓ Mattresses
- ✓ Appliances (freon-free)
- ✓ Large household items
Not Accepted
- ✕ Hazardous waste
- ✕ Tires
- ✕ Liquid paint
- ✕ Concrete
- ✕ Large electronics
Additional fees apply and vary entirely based on the hauler you subscribe to and the size, weight, and type of the item being disposed of.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
Because Allendale uses private haulers, holiday schedules vary. Typically, if a major holiday falls on a weekday, service is pushed back by one day for the remainder of the week (e.g., Friday collections move to Saturday).
Yard Waste Exception
Curbside yard waste collection is generally suspended during the winter months, regardless of holiday schedules.
Always verify the specific holiday schedule and alerts directly with your chosen private hauler (e.g., Arrowaste, Granger) via their customer portal.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Keep Plastic Bags Out of the Bin
Never place plastic grocery bags in your curbside recycling bin or take them to the county drop-off centers. Instead, return them to local grocery stores that feature dedicated plastic film recycling kiosks.
Proper Latex Paint Disposal
Ottawa County hazardous waste centers do not accept latex paint. To safely dispose of it, remove the lid, let the paint completely dry out (you can stir in cat litter to speed this up), and throw the solidified can in your regular trash.
Clean Tires Only for Drop-Off
If you are dropping off scrap tires at the Environmental Sustainability Centers, ensure they are completely free of dirt, water, and debris. Contaminated tires or tractor/airplane tires will be immediately rejected.
Seasonal Information
Winter
December to FebruaryDuring heavy Michigan snowfalls, never place your trash or recycling bins on top of snowbanks. Dig out a flat spot at the edge of your driveway so automated trucks can safely access the carts without delaying the neighborhood route.
Spring & Summer
April to SeptemberTake advantage of fair-weather months to clear out scrap tires. Ottawa County accepts up to 10 residential tires per visit ($2 fee per tire) to help mitigate fire hazards and prevent mosquito breeding in standing water.
Fall
October to NovemberAutumn leaf cleanup is essential in Allendale. Contact your private hauler to add yard waste service, or transport your compostable materials directly to an Ottawa County Sustainability Center to keep local storm drains clear.
About Allendale Waste Management
Navigating Open Market Trash Collection in Allendale
In Allendale Charter Township, solid waste and recycling collection operates on an open market system. This means the local government does not contract a single waste provider for the entire municipality. Instead, residents and businesses have the freedom to select from various private haulers servicing West Michigan, such as Arrowaste, Granger, and Waste Management. This competitive setup allows you to tailor your subscription, including cart sizes and pickup frequency, directly to your household's unique needs.
Ottawa County Environmental Sustainability Centers
While curbside recycling depends on the specific guidelines of your chosen hauler, all Allendale residents benefit from access to the Ottawa County Environmental Sustainability Centers. The closest facilities, located in Coopersville and Jenison, offer comprehensive drop-off services for household recycling, scrap tires, electronics, and household hazardous waste. Memberships are available for frequent users, providing a convenient way to keep Ottawa County green and minimize landfill use.
Responsible Hazardous Waste Disposal
Proper disposal of hazardous materials is critical to protecting West Michigan's groundwater and the Grand River ecosystem. Leftover chemicals, automotive fluids, and certain electronics should never be tossed into your regular trash bin. Fortunately, Ottawa County residents can drop off items like motor oil, lithium batteries, pesticides, and solvents for free at any Environmental Sustainability Center. Note that latex paint is excluded from this program and requires different disposal methods.
Managing Yard Waste and Scrap Tires
Seasonal maintenance in Allendale often generates a significant amount of yard debris and unwanted items like old tires. Residents can bring their scrap tires to the county centers during fair-weather months for a small fee, which helps prevent neighborhood mosquito breeding grounds. For yard waste, residents can either arrange a seasonal yard cart subscription through their private hauler or utilize the county's composting drop-off programs to keep organic waste out of the landfill.
Drop-off Facilities
Georgetown Environmental Sustainability Center
6693 Roger Dr, Jenison, MI 49428
Materials Accepted
Coopersville Environmental Sustainability Center
15600 68th Ave, Coopersville, MI 49404
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Who handles garbage collection in Allendale, Michigan?
Allendale Charter Township operates on an open market system. Residents must set up their own subscription directly with a private waste management company, such as Arrowaste, Granger, or Waste Management.
Where can I drop off hazardous waste near Allendale?
Ottawa County residents can use Environmental Sustainability Centers, like the ones in Coopersville or Jenison, for free disposal of household hazardous waste, including lawn chemicals, rechargeable batteries, and motor oil.
How do I dispose of old furniture and mattresses in Allendale?
Because there is no municipal bulk trash day, you will need to contact your private hauler to arrange and pay for a special bulk pickup, or you can rent a private roll-off dumpster for larger home cleanouts.
What is the rule for latex paint disposal in Ottawa County?
Latex paint is not accepted at the county's hazardous waste drop-offs. You must dry it out completely—often by adding kitty litter or sand—and once it is solid, you can safely place it in your normal curbside trash bin with the lid off.