Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Blackman Charter Township
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 (Dark Green, Black, or Blue based on hauler) Bin (Trash)
All trash must be bagged before being placed in the cart to prevent littering on windy Michigan days. Have your bin at the curb by 6:00 AM on your scheduled collection day.
Accepted Items
- ✓Everyday household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Soiled paper products
Varies (Usually Green or Blue with a recycling logo) Bin (Recycling)
Do not bag recyclables; place them loosely in the cart. All containers should be rinsed clean of food residue.
Accepted Items
- ✓Cardboard (flattened)
- ✓Paper (newspaper, magazines, office paper)
- ✓Plastic bottles and jugs (#1-#7)
- ✓Metal cans (aluminum and tin)
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags
- ✕Glass (varies by hauler, check specific contract)
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Food waste
- ✕Tanglers (cords, hoses)
Yard Waste Bin
Must be placed in heavy-duty kraft paper yard bags or clearly marked personal containers. Plastic bags are strictly prohibited for yard waste.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Small twigs and branches
- ✓Garden debris
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
By request or per specific hauler contract
Placement
Place bulk items at the curb no earlier than 24 hours before your specially scheduled pickup date, ensuring they do not block the sidewalk or roadway.
Accepted
- ✓ Mattresses (often must be wrapped)
- ✓ Furniture (sofas, chairs)
- ✓ Large appliances (without freon)
- ✓ Carpeting (cut and rolled)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Tires
- ✕ Hazardous waste
- ✕ Liquid paints
- ✕ Concrete or brick
- ✕ Appliances containing refrigerants
Additional fees apply. Rates vary based on the private hauler and the size/weight of the item being disposed of.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If a major holiday falls on or before your scheduled pickup day during the week, collection will be delayed by one day. If the holiday falls on a weekend, your schedule generally remains unaffected.
Yard Waste Exception
Subscription yard waste routes follow the exact same holiday delay schedule as standard trash and recycling.
Because Blackman operates on an open market system, always verify your specific holiday schedule directly with your chosen private hauler (Granger, Emmons, etc.).
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Keep Pizza Boxes Out
While the top lid of a pizza box might be clean enough to recycle, the grease-soaked bottom is not. Grease ruins the recycling process for paper goods. Tear the box in half, throw the greasy part in the trash, and recycle the clean cardboard.
Loose is the Rule
Never bag your recyclables. Sorting facilities in the Jackson County area use automated machinery that cannot open plastic bags. Bagged recyclables are often pulled off the line and sent straight to the landfill.
Stop the Tanglers
Garden hoses, extension cords, and string lights are notorious 'tanglers' that wrap around the gears of recycling facility sorters, causing dangerous equipment jams. Always put these items in your regular trash bin.
Seasonal Information
Winter
December - MarchMichigan winters bring heavy snowfall. Keep your trash and recycling carts at least 3 feet away from snowbanks and clear of the roadway so Jackson County snowplows can operate safely without hitting your bins.
Spring
April - MaySpring cleaning often generates extra waste. This is the perfect time to look out for Jackson County Conservation District's scheduled Household Hazardous Waste collection days to safely dispose of old cleaners and chemicals.
Fall
October - NovemberDuring peak leaf-falling season, avoid sweeping leaves into the street where they can clog storm drains. Bag leaves in kraft paper yard bags for your subscription hauler, or use the drop-off organics service at the Granger facility.
About Blackman Charter Township Waste Management
Navigating Blackman Township's Open Market Trash System
Unlike some municipalities that operate a single contracted waste service, Blackman Charter Township utilizes an open market system. This means residents are responsible for setting up their own curbside trash and recycling services by contacting private haulers operating in Jackson County, such as Granger Waste Services, Emmons Service, or Modern Waste Systems. This allows homeowners to compare rates and choose a plan that best fits their household's waste output.
Curbside and Drop-Off Recycling Options
Because recycling is subscription-based, you will need to specifically request a recycling cart from your chosen hauler. If you prefer not to pay for curbside recycling, Jackson County provides alternative options. Residents can utilize the Granger Recycling and Disposal Center in Jackson for drop-offs, or participate in the Recycling Jackson events held on the first Saturday of each month to recycle paper, clear glass, plastics, and metal cans.
Strict Rules Against Burning Garbage
While Blackman Charter Township allows for the burning of natural yard waste provided you obtain a burn permit by calling the Public Safety Department, it strictly prohibits the burning of household garbage. Burning treated lumber, furniture, or plastics violates township ordinances. All household solid waste must be properly disposed of via a licensed hauler or taken directly to a transfer station.
Handling Household Hazardous Waste (HHW)
Standard garbage trucks in Blackman will not accept toxic materials like motor oil, paint, mercury, or lawn chemicals. To safely dispose of these items, residents should hold onto them for the Household Hazardous Waste collection events hosted by the Jackson County Conservation District. Proper disposal prevents harmful chemicals from contaminating local groundwater and the local environment.
Managing Large Projects with Roll-Off Dumpsters
If you are remodeling a home or clearing out an estate in Blackman Township, standard curbside carts won't be enough. Fortunately, several local businesses offer roll-off dumpster rentals ranging from 4-yard to 30-yard containers. Keep in mind that while dumpsters placed on your private driveway usually don't require a permit, placing one on a public street or right-of-way will require coordination with township authorities.
Drop-off Facilities
Granger Recycling and Disposal Center of Jackson
2700 N. Elm Ave, Jackson, MI 49201
Materials Accepted
Jackson County Conservation District (Event Location)
211 W Ganson St, Suite 200, Jackson, MI 49201
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I set up trash service in Blackman Charter Township?
Blackman Charter Township operates on an open market system, meaning the township does not provide municipal trash collection. You must contact a private waste hauler that services Jackson County, such as Granger Waste Services, Emmons Service, or Modern Waste Systems, to establish curbside pickup.
Can I burn my trash instead of paying for a private hauler?
No. According to Blackman Township's burn permit regulations, burning household garbage, treated lumber, or furniture is strictly prohibited. You may only burn natural yard waste (like brush and twigs) after obtaining a burn permit from the Public Safety Department.
Does the township provide a large item or bulk trash pickup day?
No, the township does not coordinate a municipal bulk pickup day. If you need to dispose of large items like furniture or mattresses, you must contact your private waste hauler to schedule and pay for a special bulk collection.
Where can I drop off my recycling if I don't want to pay for curbside service?
If you do not subscribe to curbside recycling through your hauler, you can utilize the Granger Recycling and Disposal Center of Jackson for drop-offs, or attend the Recycling Jackson drop-off events held on the first Saturday of each month.