Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Grand Haven
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.
Typically Blue or Green Republic Cart Bin (Trash)
All household refuse must be bagged and fit entirely within your Republic Services cart with the lid completely closed. Carts should be placed at the curb the night before or early on collection day.
Accepted Items
- ✓Everyday household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Standard packaging materials
Typically Blue Cart with Light Blue Lid Bin (Recycling)
Place all recyclables loosely in the cart. Do not bag your items. Corrugated cardboard must be cut into 2'x2' pieces if taking to the drop-off center, or broken down flat for the curbside cart.
Accepted Items
- ✓Cardboard and paperboard (broken down)
- ✓Plastics containers #1 through #7
- ✓Tin, steel, and aluminum cans
- ✓Clean aluminum foil
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags and film
- ✕Styrofoam packaging and peanuts
- ✕Wax-coated freezer boxes
- ✕Used paper plates and napkins
Yard Waste Bin
Curbside collected April 1 - Dec 31 in paper bags or marked containers. Drop-off at Harbor Island requires biological twine for bundles. Plastic bags must be emptied and removed from the drop-off site.
Accepted Items
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Garden debris
- ✓Brush (bundled under 4 feet, branches max 2.5 inches diameter)
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
By Appointment Only
Placement
Place your bulk items at the curb only after you have confirmed a pickup date with Republic Services, to avoid receiving a municipal ordinance violation for unscreened rubbish.
Accepted
- ✓ Household furniture
- ✓ Mattresses
- ✓ Large general junk
Not Accepted
- ✕ Appliances containing Freon (refrigerators, AC units)
- ✕ Hazardous waste and medical waste
- ✕ Automotive parts and tires
- ✕ Concrete, shingles, and heavy construction debris
Special bulk pickups arranged through Republic Services may incur an additional fee based on the size and weight of the items being removed.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If one of these designated holidays falls on a weekday on or before your normal collection day, your trash and recycling service will be delayed by one day for the remainder of that week.
Yard Waste Exception
Curbside yard waste service follows the same holiday delay schedule during its active season (April 1 to December 31).
If a holiday falls on a weekend, your standard weekday collection schedule will not be delayed.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Take Your Plastic Bags Home
If you are utilizing the Harbor Island Yard Waste Drop-Off site and transport your leaves in plastic garbage bags, you must dump the leaves out and take the empty plastic bags back home with you. Leaving plastic bags at the site is considered illegal dumping.
Ditch the Wax-Coated Boxes
While regular cardboard is highly recyclable, wax-coated freezer boxes (like those used for frozen dinners or butter) and paperboard boxes with plastic windows cannot be recycled in the Grand Haven program. Throw these in your standard trash cart.
The Greasy Pizza Box Rule
Used paper plates, napkins, and paper containing food stains or grease are strictly prohibited in the recycling cart. This includes the greasy bottom half of a pizza box; tear it off and throw it away, and only recycle the clean cardboard lid.
Seasonal Information
Spring
April - MayThe Spring Harbor Island Yard Waste Drop-Off typically runs every Saturday from early April through early May. Ensure you are an active Republic Services customer to utilize this site.
Autumn
October - NovemberAs the leaves fall, the city reactivates the Harbor Island drop-off location on Saturdays. Keep in mind that curbside yard waste pickup also runs continuously through December 31.
Winter
January - MarchCurbside yard waste collection is suspended during the first three months of the year. During heavy lake-effect snows, ensure your garbage carts are placed on a shoveled approach and not buried in snowbanks.
About Grand Haven Waste Management
Republic Services: Grand Haven's Solid Waste Partner
The City of Grand Haven partners directly with Republic Services to handle residential trash, recycling, and curbside yard waste. Through this municipal contract, residents receive automated carts for their weekly collection. It is crucial to have all household waste out at the curb early on your scheduled service day, as route times can fluctuate. If you need to set up new service or require a cart replacement, you must contact Republic Services Customer Service directly at (877) 698-7274.
Harbor Island Seasonal Yard Waste Drop-Off
In addition to curbside services, the City of Grand Haven provides an exclusive yard waste drop-off site located at the Harbor Island boat launch overflow lot on the north end of the island. This service is available only for Grand Haven residents who are active Republic Services customers. The site opens on Saturdays during designated Spring (April to May) and Fall (October to November) windows. The site is unstaffed but under 24/7 video surveillance to prevent illegal dumping of unaccepted materials.
Curbside Compost and Brush Collection Guidelines
For those who prefer curbside convenience, Republic Services offers a yard waste collection program running from April 1 through December 31. Homeowners can use traditional 2-ply kraft paper yard bags or standard containers prominently marked with a 'Yard Waste' decal. Republic Services will only accept biological decomposing materials like grass clippings, leaves, and small brush. Heavy items such as tree stumps, roots, and agricultural waste will be rejected at the curb.
The Grand Haven Resource Recovery Service Center
While standard recycling is collected at the curb, residents can also utilize the local Resource Recovery Service Center located at 16850 Comstock Avenue. This facility accepts a wide range of materials, including plastics labeled #1 through #7, flattened corrugated cardboard, and metal cans. To ensure smooth processing, residents are required to rinse out all food residue and discard plastic caps before dropping items into the community bins.
Disposing of Large Bulk Items
Getting rid of large household junk such as old furniture, rolled carpet, and mattresses requires advanced planning in Grand Haven. Because these items exceed standard weight limits and cannot fit into the automated trucks, residents must contact Republic Services directly to schedule and pay for a special bulk item pickup. Hazardous materials, automotive parts, and appliances containing Freon are strictly prohibited from this bulk service.
Drop-off Facilities
Resource Recovery Service Center - Grand Haven
16850 Comstock Ave, Grand Haven, MI 49417
Materials Accepted
Harbor Island Yard Waste Drop-Off (Seasonal)
Boat Launch Overflow Lot (North End of Harbor Island), Grand Haven, MI
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Who provides residential trash collection in Grand Haven, MI?
The City of Grand Haven contracts with Republic Services to provide weekly curbside trash, recycling, and yard waste collection for its residents.
Where is the Grand Haven yard waste drop-off site located?
During the designated spring and fall collection windows, the yard waste drop-off site is located on Harbor Island in the boat launch overflow lot at the north end of the island.
Can I put my yard waste in plastic bags for curbside pickup?
No. Republic Services strictly prohibits plastic bags for yard waste. You must use 2-ply kraft paper yard bags or place the organic material in a personal container clearly marked as 'Yard Waste'.
Are aerosol cans recyclable in Grand Haven?
Yes, empty aerosol cans are accepted at the Resource Recovery Service Center. However, you must ensure they are completely empty and you must remove the plastic caps before recycling them.