Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Grand Haven 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)
Bin colors, sizes, and specific placement requirements are dictated by the private hauler you hire. However, Township ordinance requires all bins to be screened from the street when not set out for collection.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Non-recyclable packaging
- ✓Styrofoam
Varies by Private Hauler Bin (Recycling)
Recycling rules vary by subscription. Alternatively, residents can drop off recyclables at the Ottawa County Environmental Sustainability Centers.
Accepted Items
- ✓Cardboard and paperboard
- ✓Plastics #1 and #2
- ✓Metal and aluminum cans
- ✓Clean glass bottles (if permitted by hauler)
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic grocery bags
- ✕Yard waste
- ✕Hazardous materials
- ✕Electronics
Yard Waste Bin
Take yard waste to the Township Public Services drop-off site during the designated Spring and Fall windows, or set up a seasonal subscription with your private hauler.
Accepted Items
- ✓Fallen leaves
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Small twigs
- ✓Garden debris
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
By private arrangement only
Placement
Follow your specific hauler's instructions regarding curbside placement and timing. Do not leave bulk items at the curb without a scheduled pickup.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture and couches
- ✓ Appliances
- ✓ Mattresses
- ✓ Large household junk (varies by hauler)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Hazardous waste
- ✕ Liquid chemicals and paints
- ✕ Tires
- ✕ Commercial construction debris
Residents will incur an out-of-pocket fee for special bulk pickups through their private hauler, or they can pay standard gate rates by self-hauling to the Ottawa County Landfill.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
Because the township utilizes an open market, holiday delays depend entirely on your specific hauler (Arrowaste, Republic, etc.). Typically, if a major holiday falls on a weekday before your pickup, service is delayed by one day.
Yard Waste Exception
The Township's yard waste drop-off sites are generally accessible during normal business hours and weekends during the active season, but standard municipal holiday building closures apply.
Always verify directly with your chosen private hauler's annual calendar to confirm exact holiday collection shifts.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Clean Your Christmas Trees
Before dropping off your natural Christmas tree at the Township Fire/Rescue building on Ferris Street, you must remove all lights, ornaments, tinsel, wire, and plastic tree skirts. The trees are chipped into mulch, and hidden hardware destroys the machinery.
Secure Hazardous Materials
Ottawa County strictly bans household hazardous waste—like wet paint, motor oil, batteries, and pesticides—from standard garbage carts. You must take these dangerous items directly to the Ottawa County Resource Recovery facility.
No Burning Trash or Leaves
It might be tempting to dispose of cardboard boxes or fall leaves in a backyard fire pit, but Township Ordinance 35.0300 strictly bans the open burning of leaves and household garbage year-round. Use the township drop-off or your private hauler instead.
Seasonal Information
Spring
April - MayThe Township opens its Spring Yard Waste Drop-Off program behind the Public Services building. This is the perfect time to clear out overwintered garden debris and dead brush without paying extra hauling fees.
Autumn
October - NovemberPrepare for heavy leaf fall. The Township provides a roughly six-week Fall Yard Waste Drop-Off window. Remember, raking leaves into the street or burning them in your yard is strictly prohibited.
Winter
December - JanuaryFrom December 26th through January 31st, the Township offers a free Christmas tree drop-off at the Fire/Rescue building (Ferris Street entrance). Standard yard waste drop-offs are closed during the winter.
About Grand Haven Charter Township Waste Management
Navigating the Open Market Waste System
Unlike municipalities with a single exclusive waste contract, Grand Haven Charter Township operates under a fully open-market system. Homeowners are responsible for independently establishing their residential garbage and recycling services by contracting directly with licensed private haulers. Approved local vendors include Arrowaste, Republic Services, Top Grade, V's Waste Services, and Anytime Junk. This competitive structure gives residents the flexibility to choose a service plan, pickup frequency, and cart size that perfectly fits their household needs and budget.
Strict Cart Storage and Property Ordinances
To preserve the pristine aesthetic appeal of the lakeshore community, Grand Haven Charter Township enforces strict local zoning and property maintenance ordinances regarding refuse carts. Trash and recycling receptacles must be stored inside a garage or completely screened from street view on non-collection days. Leaving your bins at the curb indefinitely or storing them visibly in the front yard is a code violation that can result in municipal warnings.
The Seasonal Township Yard Waste Drop-Off
Rather than requiring all homeowners to pay for private curbside yard waste subscriptions, the Township hosts a highly utilized Spring and Fall yard waste drop-off program. During these designated seasonal windows, residents can haul their leaves and organic garden debris to the collection bins located directly behind the Township Public Services building on 168th Avenue. This service ensures organic waste stays out of Ottawa County landfills.
Strict Ban on Open Leaf Burning
Because of the dense, beautiful tree canopy in Ottawa County, autumn leaf accumulation is significant. However, residents must resist the urge to dispose of them with fire. The Township's Open Burning Ordinance (35.0300) explicitly prohibits the burning of leaves and household garbage at any time of the year. All leaves must be composted on-site, taken to the seasonal drop-off site, or hauled away by your private contractor.
Proper Medication and Syringe Disposal
Keeping the local groundwater and Lake Michigan clean is a major community priority. The Township provides a dedicated, secure drop box for expired medications right in the front lobby of the Grand Haven Charter Township administrative offices. For used medical sharps and syringes, residents should safely utilize the Ottawa County Health Department facility on Beechtree Street rather than placing them in standard household trash.
Drop-off Facilities
Township Public Services Building (Yard Waste Drop-Off)
13300 168th Avenue, Grand Haven, MI 49417
Materials Accepted
Township Fire/Rescue Building (Tree Drop-Off)
13250 168th Avenue (Ferris Street Entrance), Grand Haven, MI 49417
Materials Accepted
Ottawa County Landfill
15362 68th Ave, Coopersville, MI 49404
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Who picks up the trash in Grand Haven Charter Township?
Grand Haven Charter Township uses an open-market system. Homeowners must independently hire a licensed private hauler, such as Arrowaste, Republic Services, Top Grade, V's Waste Services, or Anytime Junk.
Where can I dispose of fall leaves in the Township?
The Township operates a designated yard waste drop-off site behind the Public Services building at 13300 168th Avenue during specific Spring and Fall windows. You cannot burn leaves or rake them into the street.
Can I leave my garbage cans at the curb all week?
No. Township ordinances require that trash and recycling cans must be stored inside a garage or completely screened from street view on non-collection days to maintain neighborhood aesthetics.
Where do I drop off expired prescription medications?
Do not flush medications or throw them in the trash. The Township provides a safe medication drop box located in the front lobby of the Grand Haven Charter Township administrative offices.