Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Meridian 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 hauler (e.g., Granger carts are typically gray/brown, WM are green) Bin (Trash)
Bag all trash before placing it in the cart to prevent littering on windy Michigan days. Contact your chosen hauler for specific weight limits.
Accepted Items
- ✓Household garbage
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Food wrappers
- ✓General refuse
Varies by hauler (e.g., Granger uses Curby carts with yellow/orange lids) Bin (Recycling)
Meridian relies on single-stream recycling through its haulers. Ensure all containers are rinsed clean and dry. Break down all cardboard boxes flat.
Accepted Items
- ✓Corrugated cardboard
- ✓Plastic bottles, jugs, and tubs
- ✓Mixed paper and junk mail
- ✓Metal cans and aluminum foil
- ✓Clear and colored glass bottles
Yard Waste Bin
Yard waste is not collected by the township. Subscribe to a seasonal yard waste program with your hauler or drop it off at the Meridian Recycling Center for a small fee.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Small branches
- ✓Brush
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
On-demand or via scheduled subscription
Placement
If you schedule a pickup with your hauler, place bulk items at the curb no earlier than the night before your agreed-upon collection day.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture
- ✓ Mattresses
- ✓ Large appliances (freon must be removed)
- ✓ Carpeting (cut and rolled)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Liquid paints
- ✕ Hazardous chemicals
- ✕ Tires
- ✕ Concrete or heavy demolition debris
Both haulers charge an extra fee per bulk item. Alternatively, you can rent a dumpster from Reclaimed by Design or bring bulky trash directly to their transfer station for a volume-based fee.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
Because collection is handled by private haulers, schedules shift by one day if the holiday falls on a weekday. Friday collections are typically pushed to Saturday.
Yard Waste Exception
Private seasonal yard waste collections are subject to hauler schedules and may be suspended entirely during the week of major winter holidays.
The Meridian Recycling Center may also have altered hours around holidays. Call 517-703-4498 to confirm before visiting.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Keep Plastic Bags Out of the Curbside Cart
Whether you use Granger or Waste Management, do not bag your recyclables. Keep items loose in the bin. Plastic bags jam the automated sorting machinery at single-stream facilities.
Separate Boxboard at the Drop-Off Center
If utilizing the Meridian Recycling Center operated by Reclaimed by Design, note their sorting rule change: Boxboard and paperboard (like cereal and cracker boxes) must now be placed in the dedicated PAPER bins, not with the corrugated cardboard.
Clean Your Styrofoam
While the drop-off center in Haslett uniquely accepts expanded polystyrene foam (Styrofoam), it must be completely clean. Any food residue, grease, or tape will cause the foam to be rejected as contamination.
Seasonal Information
Summer
May - SeptemberTake advantage of the Ingham County free Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) collection on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Clean out your garage and safely dispose of old chemicals before the program closes for the winter.
Autumn
October - NovemberDuring heavy leaf-drop season, remember that burning yard waste is highly restricted. Bag your leaves in biodegradable kraft bags if subscribing to a private yard waste route, or haul them to Reclaimed by Design.
Winter
December - MarchMichigan snowstorms can delay private hauling schedules. If poor road conditions prevent Granger or Waste Management from completing their routes, leave your bins at the curb; recovery usually happens the next safe business day.
About Meridian Charter Township Waste Management
Navigating Meridian Township’s Open Market Waste System
Unlike municipalities that manage curbside pickup directly, Meridian Charter Township operates on an open-market system. This means the local government does not offer centralized curbside garbage, recycling, or yard waste collection. Instead, residents and business owners independently contract with local haulers—specifically Granger Waste Services or Waste Management. This setup allows you to select a service tier and bin sizes that fit your household's specific disposal needs.
The Meridian Recycling Center by Reclaimed by Design
If you prefer not to subscribe to curbside recycling, or if you have excess materials, the Meridian Recycling Center is a premier local resource. Located at 5976 E. Lake Drive in Haslett, this facility is privately operated by Reclaimed by Design. They accept a wide variety of materials, including cardboard, glass, plastic, metal, and clean expanded polystyrene foam (Styrofoam). They also take yard waste, electronics, and general household trash for a nominal fee, acting as a convenient mini-transfer station for the community.
Ingham County Household Hazardous Waste Program
Protecting Michigan’s waterways and natural environment is a top priority in the region. Meridian residents can dispose of toxic household materials through the Ingham County Health Department's Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) program. The collection events run exclusively from May through September, taking place on Tuesdays and Thursdays between 2:00 PM and 6:00 PM. This is the safest way to get rid of old paint, pesticides, automotive fluids, and harsh cleaning chemicals.
Sustainability and Climate Goals in Meridian
Meridian Township is dedicated to robust green initiatives, having adopted one of Michigan's first Climate Sustainability Plans in 2017. A core objective of this plan is to reduce the overall volume of materials sent to landfills by 10% by the year 2035. Through community education, accessible drop-off centers, and partnerships with local organic waste haulers like My Green Michigan, the township actively encourages residents to embrace a zero-waste lifestyle.
Drop-off Facilities
Meridian Recycling Center (Reclaimed by Design)
5976 E Lake Dr, Haslett, MI 48840
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Meridian Township provide municipal trash collection?
No, Meridian Township operates an open-market system. The local government does not offer curbside garbage, recycling, or yard waste collection. Residents and businesses must set up their own service by contacting either Granger Waste Services or Waste Management.
Where can I recycle Styrofoam in Meridian Township?
Clean expanded polystyrene foam (Styrofoam) can be dropped off at the Meridian Recycling Center, operated by Reclaimed by Design, located at 5976 E. Lake Drive in Haslett.
How do I dispose of hazardous materials like paint and chemicals?
Hazardous waste is not accepted in your regular trash bins. Ingham County residents can utilize the Health Department's Household Hazardous Waste program, which runs on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM between May and September.
Can I rent a dumpster for a home project in Meridian?
Yes. Because waste removal is privatized, you can rent roll-off dumpsters directly from your chosen hauler, or through Reclaimed by Design, which offers same-day dumpster rentals with extended rental times for local residents.