Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Grand Rapids
Trash Day
Collection runs Monday through Friday, depending on your assigned neighborhood route. Use the city's online Trash and Recycling Route Map to find your specific day.
Recycling
Recycling is collected every other week on the same day as your regular trash collection.
Yard Waste
Curbside yard waste is collected on your regular trash day from the first full week of April through the second week of December (requires city yard waste tags or bags). Free drop-off is also available at 2001 Butterworth St SW.
Set Out Time
By 7:00 AM on collection day
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Grand Rapids charges for trash on a per-tip basis depending on cart size, so you only pay when you put your cart out. You must maintain a prepaid balance in your GR PayIt account for collection to occur.
Billing Cycle
Pay-As-You-Throw (Prepaid per tip; recycling funded via property taxes)
Accepted Methods
Online (GR PayIt), Mobile App, Auto-Reload, In Person (City Hall), Mail
Pro Tip / Discount
Subsidized trash service is available for qualifying low-income homeowners through Home Repair Services. Free assisted collection service is also available for residents with physical disabilities.
City-Issued Cart (Gray/Dark) Bin (Trash)
Carts must be placed at the curb by 7:00 AM on your collection day. Ensure you maintain a positive account balance. Since this is a Pay-As-You-Throw system, your cart will be tipped and charged if left at the curb, even if empty.
Accepted Items
- ✓Bagged household garbage
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Food wrappers
- ✓Textiles
Blue Cart with a Yellow Lid Bin (Recycling)
Recyclables must be placed loosely in the cart without being bagged. Collection occurs every two weeks. Items should be at least 75% clean and free of excessive food residue.
Accepted Items
- ✓Clean paper and cardboard
- ✓Plastic jugs, tubs, and bottles
- ✓Metal and aluminum cans
- ✓Clean glass bottles and jars
Do NOT Include
- ✕Soft plastics and grocery bags
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Batteries and electronics
- ✕Food-soiled cardboard (like greasy pizza boxes)
Yard Waste Bin
Yard waste is collected from early April through mid-December. You must use a city yard waste cart with a $6.50 Yellow Tag, a $2.75 City Paper Bag, or bundle branches (under 4 feet long and 2 inches thick) with a $2.75 Green Bulk Tag.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Small twigs and branches
- ✓Garden debris
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
On demand (requires prepaid sticker)
Placement
Place the bulky item at the curb by 7:00 AM on the business day following your online or in-person sticker purchase. Sectional couches require a separate $40 sticker for each individual section.
Accepted
- ✓ Appliances (refrigerator and freezer doors must be removed)
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs (count as one item together)
- ✓ Furniture and dressers
- ✓ Bathtubs and sinks
Not Accepted
- ✕ Televisions of any kind
- ✕ Hazardous waste
- ✕ Construction and demolition debris
- ✕ Tires
Stickers cost $40 each and can be purchased online, at the City Hall Customer Service storefront, or at select local supermarkets.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If a recognized holiday falls on a weekday on or before your regular collection day, your pickup will be delayed by one day for the remainder of that week.
Yard Waste Exception
Yard waste collection follows the exact same holiday delay schedule as refuse and recycling during the active season.
If the holiday falls on a weekend, collection schedules typically remain unaffected.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Winter
December - MarchWest Michigan experiences heavy lake-effect snow. You must clear a completely snow-free path for your carts and never place them on top of snowbanks. The automated mechanical arm needs clear, ground-level access.
Spring
AprilCurbside yard waste collection officially resumes the first full week of April. Ensure you have purchased your yellow cart tags, green bulk tags, or city-issued paper bags in advance from City Hall or a local vendor.
Autumn
October - NovemberDuring peak leaf drop, remember that raking loose leaves into the street is not permitted. All yard waste must be managed using tagged carts, official paper bags, or dropped off for free at the Butterworth Street facility.
Local Tips & Community Info
Understanding the Grand Rapids Pay-As-You-Throw Refuse System
Unlike many municipalities that charge a flat monthly fee for garbage collection, the City of Grand Rapids operates a unique Pay-As-You-Throw (PAYT) system. This environmentally friendly approach ensures that residents only pay for the trash they actually produce. When you sign up for service, you can select from three cart sizes: a 32-gallon cart ideal for small households, a 64-gallon cart, or a 96-gallon cart for larger families. Every time your refuse cart is tipped into the truck, a specific fee is deducted from your prepaid account balance. All trash placed inside the bins must be securely bagged, and residents are required to maintain a positive account balance to guarantee uninterrupted curbside service.
Free Curbside Recycling and Bi-Weekly Collection
To help residents save money on their refuse tips, Grand Rapids provides robust curbside recycling services funded entirely through a property tax millage. Because recycling is essentially free at the curb, maximizing your recyclable materials means you will fill your trash cart less frequently. Households can choose between a 64-gallon or a 96-gallon recycling cart at no additional service cost. Unlike regular trash which can be collected weekly, recycling routes run every other week on your designated regular collection day. Make sure to consult the official 2026 Materials Management schedule to track your specific alternating recycling weeks.
Navigating Yard Waste: Carts, Bags, and Tags
Managing seasonal leaves, grass clippings, and branches in Grand Rapids requires specific tags and containers. The city offers a dedicated 96-gallon yard waste cart for a one-time non-refundable order fee, but you must attach a $6.50 yellow Yard Waste Tag to the handle each time you want it emptied. If you prefer not to use a cart, you can purchase official City of Grand Rapids paper yard waste bags for $2.75 each, which do not require an additional tag as long as they weigh under 30 pounds. For bundled branches and larger twigs, residents must affix a $2.75 green Yard Waste Bulk Tag to the bundle, ensuring it measures no longer than four feet.
Disposing of Bulk Items and Placement Rules
When it comes time to discard large furniture, mattresses, or household appliances, residents must purchase a $40 bulky item sticker before placing the object at the curb. These stickers are available at City Hall and participating local retailers, or the fee can be paid directly online through the city's request portal. On your collection day, all carts and bulk items must be placed at the curb no later than 7:00 AM. Carts must be positioned at least three feet apart from each other, utility poles, and parked cars to allow the automated truck arms to operate. Setting your cart out late may result in a $28.50 return-trip fee.
Subsidized Programs and 311 Customer Support
The City is committed to ensuring waste management remains affordable for everyone. Through a partnership with Home Repair Services, eligible low-income homeowners can apply for subsidized trash removal, which provides discounted rates on a standard 32-gallon refuse cart. If you experience a missed pickup, need to swap cart sizes, or have general inquiries regarding your service, the easiest way to get assistance is by dialing 311 if you are within city limits. You can also reach the Public Works Materials Management division directly by calling (616) 456-3000 during standard weekday operating hours.
Drop-off Facilities
City of Grand Rapids Yard Waste Drop-Off
2001 Butterworth St SW, Grand Rapids, MI 49534
Materials Accepted
Kent County Recycling & Education Center
977 Wealthy St SW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the Pay-As-You-Throw (PAYT) trash system work?
In Grand Rapids, you prepay for your refuse service and are only charged a specific tip fee when your cart is actually emptied by the collection truck. You must maintain a positive balance in your account for the truck to service your bin.
What are the rules for placing my carts at the curb?
Carts must be at the curb by 7:00 AM on your scheduled collection day. They need to be spaced at least three feet apart from other carts, vehicles, and mailboxes so the mechanical arm can safely lift them. Late set-outs can trigger a $28.50 return fee.
How do I throw away a mattress or large appliance in Grand Rapids?
Large items that do not fit in your refuse cart require a bulky item sticker. Each sticker costs $40 and can be purchased at City Hall, participating local stores, or paid for online through the Materials Management webpage prior to pickup.