Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Cascade 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 by Private Hauler Bin (Trash)
Cart placement, bagging rules, and weight limits vary based on your selected private hauler. Ensure your trash is securely bagged to prevent litter in the neighborhood.
Accepted Items
- ✓Everyday household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Standard packaging materials
Varies by Private Hauler Bin (Recycling)
Recyclables should typically be placed loosely in your hauler's designated cart without plastic bags. Rinse all food residue from containers.
Accepted Items
- ✓Cardboard and boxboard
- ✓Plastics #1 and #2
- ✓Aluminum and tin cans
- ✓Clean glass bottles (if permitted by your specific hauler)
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic grocery bags
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Hazardous waste
- ✕Yard waste
Yard Waste Bin
For the Township's seasonal pickup, yard waste must be in 30-gallon paper bags or bundled, weigh less than 30 lbs, and display a current Township-issued tag.
Accepted Items
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Brush and twigs
- ✓Small branches (under 1 inch in diameter and 4 feet in length)
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Biannually via Township Drop-off (Spring/Fall)
Placement
Bring items to the Ada Bible Church parking lot during the specified event hours and present a valid driver's license showing your Cascade Township address.
Accepted
- ✓ General household junk
- ✓ Small appliances
- ✓ Scrap metal
- ✓ Electronics (accepted via Schupan Recycling onsite)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Household hazardous waste
- ✕ Yard waste (during the bulk event)
- ✕ Freon appliances (unless properly drained)
- ✕ Commercial demolition debris
The biannual Clean-Up Day event is free for residents. Private curbside bulk pickups will incur varying fees set by your chosen hauler.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
Holiday schedules vary based on your private hauler (Arrowaste, WM, etc.). Generally, if a major holiday falls on a weekday before your pickup, collection is delayed by one day.
Yard Waste Exception
The Township's tagged yard waste pickup happens exclusively on Mondays during the specific spring/fall windows, regardless of standard hauler holiday schedules.
Always refer directly to the annual calendar provided by your specific private hauler to confirm exact holiday shifts.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
The 1-Inch Branch Rule
For the Township's seasonal yard waste pickup, branches must not exceed one inch in diameter and four feet in length. Thicker logs and stumps will be rejected by the collection crews.
No Dirt or Sod in Yard Bags
When packing your 30-gallon yard waste bags with fall leaves, ensure no dirt, sod, cement, sand, or rocks are mixed in. These heavy materials easily exceed the strict 30-pound bag limit and will not be collected.
E-Waste Requires Separate Handling
Do not place electronics in your curbside bins. Save them for the biannual Clean-Up Day where specialized vendors accept computers, televisions, and small appliances, or take them to a Kent County DPW facility.
Seasonal Information
Spring
April - MayThe Spring Yard Waste program kicks off in April. Pick up your updated, color-coded yard waste tags at the Township Office, and check the community calendar for the date of the Spring Clean-Up Day.
Summer
June - AugustSince summer storms can bring down branches, remember that burning yard waste is strictly prohibited in designated areas. You must either compost on-site or use a private hauler's yard waste subscription.
Autumn
October - NovemberFall yard waste pickup generally runs from mid-October through November. If you live outside the restricted burn area or miss a pickup, you can utilize the temporary yard waste dumpsters located behind Fire Station 2.
About Cascade Charter Township Waste Management
Open-Market Trash Collection in Cascade Township
Cascade Charter Township operates on an open-market subscription system for residential waste management. The township does not contract a single municipal hauler for regular curbside pickup. Instead, homeowners must contact private licensed haulers—such as Arrowaste, Waste Management, or Republic Services—to establish weekly trash and recycling collection. This structure allows residents to choose a service tier that fits their household size, budget, and specific disposal needs.
The Restricted Burn Area Yard Waste Program
To support areas with high leaf volume and burning restrictions, Cascade Township operates a specialized seasonal yard waste collection program for residents living in the restricted burn area (generally west of Buttrick Ave and north of I-96). During the designated spring and fall collection windows, residents can pick up a set number of free yard waste tags from the Township Office. These tags must be attached to every 30-gallon paper bag or bundle of branches set at the curb by Sunday midnight for Monday morning collection.
Cascade Township Clean-Up Days
Twice a year, typically in the spring and fall, the township hosts a comprehensive Clean-Up Day to help residents discard large household items and junk. Held at the Ada Bible Church parking lot, this event partners with local vendors like Arrowaste for general trash, Schupan Recycling for electronic waste, and West Michigan Document Shredding for sensitive paper destruction. Residents must provide proof of residency (via driver's license), and hazardous materials are strictly prohibited.
Managing Hazardous Household Chemicals
Kent County Department of Public Works handles all household hazardous waste for Cascade residents, as the township does not accept these materials during clean-up days. Items like oil-based paints, pesticides, and automotive fluids must be taken to one of the Kent County DPW SafeChem drop-off locations, with the nearest site located in neighboring Kentwood on Breton SE. It is crucial to utilize these facilities to protect the Thornapple River watershed and local groundwater.
Drop-off Facilities
Kent County DPW SafeChem Drop-Off (Kentwood)
5068 Breton Rd SE, Kentwood, MI 49508
Materials Accepted
Cascade Township Yard Waste Dumpsters (Seasonal)
2990 Buttrick Ave SE, Ada, MI 49301 (Behind Fire Station 2)
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I set up trash collection in Cascade Township?
The township does not provide municipal curbside trash service. Residents must establish service directly by subscribing to an open-market private hauler, such as Arrowaste, Waste Management, or Republic Services.
Where do I get tags for the seasonal yard waste pickup?
Residents living within the restricted burn area can pick up their free yard waste tags at the Township Office front vestibule during regular business hours (Monday-Thursday 7am-5pm, Friday 7am-1pm). Keep in mind that tag colors change, and last year's tags will not be accepted.
Can I drop off yard waste if I miss the Monday curbside pickup?
Yes. During the active spring and fall yard waste seasons, the township provides temporary yard waste dumpsters located behind Fire Station 2 at 2990 Buttrick Ave SE for resident use. Material must still be properly tagged.
What should I do with my old TV or computer?
Televisions and computers are not accepted in standard curbside trash. You can either take them to a Kent County DPW recycling facility or bring them to the Township's biannual Clean-Up Day, where a specialized e-waste vendor is present to safely recycle them.