Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Mount Pleasant
Trash Day
Trash is collected once weekly from Monday through Friday, depending on your street location.
Recycling
Recycling is collected every other week on the same day as your trash service.
Yard Waste
Weekly yard waste is not included in cart service. The city conducts scheduled seasonal leaf collection sweeps in the fall, fee-based brush chipping year-round, and Christmas tree pickup in January.
Set Out Time
After 5:00 PM the evening before or by 6:00 AM on collection day
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
City utility billing manages municipal water and sewer accounts, while curbside refuse and recycling services are billed directly by Granger Waste Services.
Billing Cycle
Monthly
Accepted Methods
Online, Auto-Pay (Direct Debit), Phone, Mail, In-Person
Brown Lid (96-gallon) or Black Lid (65-gallon) Curby Cart Bin (Trash)
Trash must fit inside the Granger cart. Carts can be placed at the curb after 5:00 p.m. the night before collection and must be removed from the street by midnight on your collection day.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Styrofoam
Yellow Lid (96-gallon) Curby Cart Bin (Recycling)
Recycling is collected bi-weekly. All materials must be placed loosely in the 96-gallon yellow-lidded cart without being bagged.
Accepted Items
- ✓Cardboard and boxboard (flattened)
- ✓Newspaper and office paper
- ✓Plastic containers
- ✓Food-grade tin, aluminum, and clear glass jars
Do NOT Include
- ✕Wax-coated produce boxes
- ✕Wrapping paper
- ✕Plastic bags
- ✕Yard waste
Yard Waste Bin
Standard yard waste is not collected in the Granger carts. Brush is chipped curbside by the City. Grass, leaves, and organic yard waste can be hauled to the Isabella County MRF for a fee.
Accepted Items
- ✓Brush and tree branches (via City chipping program)
- ✓Grass clippings and leaves (via ICMRF drop-off)
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
By appointment only
Placement
Schedule via the Granger portal or by calling 888-947-2643. Prepayment is strictly required at the time of scheduling, and items should not be placed at the curb until approved.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture and mattresses
- ✓ Household appliances (Freon items require an extra charge)
- ✓ Exercise equipment and bicycles
Not Accepted
- ✕ Construction and demolition debris (requires a rented roll-off dumpster)
- ✕ Hazardous waste and wet paints
- ✕ Tires (can be taken to the ICMRF for a fee)
Bulk pickups require out-of-pocket prepayment. Alternatively, residents can haul large items directly to the Northern Oaks Landfill in Harrison and pay the gate rate.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
Granger observes six major holidays. If the holiday falls on a weekday on or before your scheduled collection day, your pickup will be delayed by one day for that week.
Yard Waste Exception
The Isabella County MRF has its own distinct holiday closure schedule (including dates like Good Friday, Juneteenth, and Veterans Day), so always verify their hours before attempting a yard waste drop-off.
If a major holiday falls on a weekend, your standard Granger curbside collection schedule remains unchanged.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Winter
JanuaryThe City Street Department conducts free curbside Christmas tree collections during the first two weeks of January. Place your bare tree at the curb (no alleys) with the trunk facing the street. No tags are required.
Spring
April - MayThe Isabella County MRF transitions to its extended summer hours, remaining open on Saturday mornings from 8:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. starting April 1st. This is the ideal time to haul your spring yard cleanup debris for a drop-off fee.
Autumn
October - NovemberMid-November marks the end of the MRF's Saturday operations. Make sure to complete your fall leaf and yard waste hauling to the East River Road facility before winter hours take effect.
Local Tips & Community Info
Understanding the City Refuse Bag and Cart System
The City of Mount Pleasant utilizes a pay-as-you-throw solid waste program that requires residents to use official municipal materials. To participate in weekly curbside pickup, you cannot simply place standard black garbage bags at the curb. Instead, residents must purchase yellow City of Mount Pleasant refuse bags, utilize City-issued bag tags on standard 30-gallon bags, or rent an automated City refuse cart. These specialized bags and tags are readily available for purchase at City Hall or through various local retailers, including Meijer and Ric's Food Center. This system ensures that households only pay for the exact volume of waste they generate, encouraging greater environmental responsibility.
Curbside Timetable and Placement Regulations
Residential trash collection happens Monday through Thursday, with your specific day determined by your neighborhood zone. To guarantee your refuse is picked up, all authorized bags, tagged garbage, and rented carts must be situated at the curb no later than 7:30 a.m. on your designated service morning. To help keep Mount Pleasant neighborhoods clean and deter nocturnal wildlife, city ordinance prohibits residents from placing their waste at the street before 5:00 p.m. on the evening prior to collection. Empty carts must be retrieved from the right-of-way within 12 hours after your pickup.
Partnership with Isabella County for Recycling
Mount Pleasant is deeply committed to sustainability, facilitated through a robust partnership with the Isabella County Material Recovery Facility (MRF). Curbside recycling is collected on the same day as your regular trash. Residents are provided with designated recycling bins to separate their plastics, glass, metals, and paper. It is essential to break down cardboard boxes and rinse all food containers to prevent contamination at the facility. For items that cannot be processed at the curb, such as electronics or household hazardous waste, residents can utilize the county MRF drop-off location.
Purchasing Stickers for Bulky Item Disposal
Getting rid of an old mattress, sofa, or refrigerator in Mount Pleasant is a straightforward process, but it does require a bit of preparation. The city handles large household items through a sticker program. Before dragging heavy furniture to the curb, you must purchase a Large Item Sticker from the City Hall Treasurer’s office. You will need a standard sticker for general furniture, while appliances containing Freon, such as freezers or air conditioners, require a specialized, higher-priced sticker to cover environmental extraction costs. Once the sticker is visible, the item will be collected alongside your regular refuse.
Brush Chipping and the Fall Leaf Sweep
Maintaining your property’s landscaping is heavily supported by the Department of Public Works. Throughout the summer months, the city offers a scheduled brush chipping service. Branches must be stacked neatly at the curb with the cut ends facing the street. However, Mount Pleasant is most famous for its comprehensive Fall Leaf Collection. Unlike municipalities that require bagging, residents here are instructed to rake their autumn leaves directly into the street gutters during designated weeks. City crews then use specialized equipment to sweep the streets clean, keeping storm drains clear and turning the organic matter into compost.
Drop-off Facilities
Isabella County Recycling Center / MRF
4208 E. River Rd, Mt. Pleasant, MI 48858
Materials Accepted
Northern Oaks Landfill
513 N County Farm Rd, Harrison, MI 48625
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use regular trash bags for my curbside pickup in Mount Pleasant?
No. You must use official yellow City of Mount Pleasant bags, apply a purchased City bag tag to your own 30-gallon bag, or rent an official municipal refuse cart.
What is the earliest time I can put my garbage out?
According to city ordinance, you may place your approved refuse bags or carts at the curb no earlier than 5:00 p.m. the night before your scheduled collection day.
How do I throw away a couch or large appliance?
You must buy a Large Item Sticker from City Hall and attach it to the bulky item before placing it at the curb. Appliances with Freon require a specific, distinct sticker.