Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Kalamazoo
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.
Standard Personal Cans or Approved Bags Bin (Trash)
Must be safely contained in bags or cans weighing under 50 lbs. Regular household trash collection configuration depends on specific municipal guidelines.
Accepted Items
- ✓Household garbage
- ✓Non-recyclable domestic refuse
- ✓Sanitary waste
Wheeled Republic Services Recycling Cart Bin (Recycling)
Place wheeled cart curbside the evening prior to collection with handles facing your house, and retrieve it by the end of collection day. Keep recyclables loose.
Accepted Items
- ✓Flattened cardboard
- ✓Mixed paper and boxboard
- ✓Plastic bottles and jugs
- ✓Metal food and beverage cans
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags and film wraps
- ✕Styrofoam and EPS foam packaging
- ✕Electronics and batteries
- ✕Food-contaminated containers
Yard Waste Bin
Must be packaged in compostable paper bags or approved open yard waste containers during active seasonal pickup periods.
Accepted Items
- ✓Leaves and garden vegetation
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Twigs and small branches
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Quarterly / Scheduled Special Windows
Placement
Place items neatly at the curbside according to your specific quarterly collection window instructions, ensuring all individual containers or bundles remain under 50 lbs.
Accepted
- ✓ Household furniture (couches, tables, chairs)
- ✓ Mattresses (must be wrapped in plastic)
- ✓ Bicycles and toys
- ✓ Limited building materials under 1 cubic yard (cut to 4-foot lengths)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Concrete, dirt, or heavy masonry
- ✕ Automotive engine blocks or large car parts
- ✕ Hazardous waste, oils, or liquid solvents
- ✕ Uncut tires or tires on rims
Standard quarterly neighborhood bulk pickups and select designated Free Bulk Trash Drop-Off Days at Gembrit Circle incur no extra fee for city residents.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
When an official holiday falls on or before a weekday collection day, service for that day and the remainder of the week is generally delayed by one day.
Yard Waste Exception
Seasonal yard waste and recycling schedules adjust correspondingly alongside holiday weeks matching Republic Services' master calendar.
If a major holiday falls on a weekend, collection schedules for Monday through Friday typically remain entirely unaffected.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Keep Plastic Bags Out of the Recycling Cart
Placing recyclables inside plastic grocery bags or trash bags causes severe machinery jams at the recycling sorting facility. Always empty your recyclables loose directly into your wheeled cart.
Properly Solidify Latex Paint Before Disposal
Liquid paints are strictly prohibited from routine pickup. To dispose of latex paint legally, solidify the contents by mixing in kitty litter or sawdust, or leave the lid off until completely dry before setting it out.
Wrap Mattresses in Plastic
If you are setting out a mattress or box spring for bulk collection, Michigan regulations and local guidelines mandate that it must be entirely wrapped in plastic. Unwrapped mattresses will be rejected.
Seasonal Information
Autumn
October - DecemberThe city conducts heavy neighborhood leaf collection rounds. Remember to keep leaves out of gutters and storm streets to avoid citations and drainage blockages.
Spring and Summer
April - SeptemberActive yard waste and food scrap collection pilot schedules ramp up, giving households optimal channels for organic waste diversion during peak growing seasons.
Winter
January - MarchSnow accumulation can obstruct cart placement. Always position carts clear of snowbanks and a few feet away from mailboxes or vehicles to ensure automated truck arms can reach them.
About Kalamazoo Waste Management
Funded Through the Kalamazoo Solid Waste Millage
Residential waste, recycling, and seasonal collection services for properties inside the City of Kalamazoo are comprehensively funded through the local Solid Waste Millage. This means eligible city households receive curbside collection features directly at no additional out-of-pocket transactional cost. The city partners with Republic Services to manage weekly routines efficiently while maintaining community-wide environmental health.
Innovative Pilot Food Scrap Recycling Program
Recognizing that up to 38% of typical landfill waste consists of organic matter, the City of Kalamazoo features an innovative pilot Food Scrap Recycling program. This progressive initiative offers local residents an easy, direct path to divert kitchen scraps and organic food waste away from landfills, minimizing local methane emissions and converting refuse into valuable nutrient-rich compost.
Quarterly Curbside Bulk Trash and Free Drop-Off Days
Managing oversized items that exceed standard cart capacity is streamlined through Kalamazoo's quarterly curbside bulk trash collections. For residents seeking faster disposal outside of scheduled quarterly windows, the city periodically hosts Free Bulk Trash Drop-Off Days at the local Republic Services facility on Gembrit Circle, allowing homeowners to dispose of up to 7.5 cubic yards of qualified bulk materials completely free.
Fall Leaf Pickup and Strict Street Protection Directives
During autumn, the City of Kalamazoo operates a comprehensive city-wide leaf collection program directly at every household. Local ordinances mandate that residents never place loose leaves directly into the street. Because loose yard debris severely clogs storm drains and creates dangerous driving hazards, uncontained street raking is strictly banned and can result in local municipal violations.
Drop-off Facilities
Republic Services Transfer Station
3432 Gembrit Circle, Kalamazoo, MI 49001
Materials Accepted
Kalamazoo County Household Hazardous Waste Center
Kalamazoo County facility (Contact 269-383-8742 for location and scheduling)
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
How are waste and recycling services funded in Kalamazoo?
Curbside waste, recycling, and environmental programs inside the City of Kalamazoo are funded directly by the local Solid Waste Millage, providing these standard services at no direct additional cost to city residents.
Can I rake my autumn leaves directly into the street?
No. Raking loose leaves directly into the street is strictly prohibited because it clogs neighborhood storm drains and creates traffic hazards. Violators may face municipal fines.
What are the rules for putting out a mattress for bulk pickup?
Any mattress or box spring set out for bulk collection must be completely wrapped in plastic. Unwrapped mattresses will be automatically rejected by collection crews.
Where can I dispose of old electronics and household chemicals safely?
Kalamazoo County operates a dedicated Household Hazardous Waste Center that accepts items like televisions, computers, pesticides, and oil-based paints. Appointments and prior registration are required.