Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Muskegon
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 City Cart Bin (Trash)
Place cart at the curb with the handle facing the house. Extra bags require a purchased Mixed Refuse Sticker. Do not use unauthorized carts ($35 fine).
Accepted Items
- ✓Bagged household garbage
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
Blue (90-gallon tote) Bin (Recycling)
Must opt-in to receive the tote. Collection is every four weeks. A second bin costs $54/year. Keep 3 feet away from your trash cart.
Accepted Items
- ✓Clean plastic bottles and jugs
- ✓Flattened cardboard
- ✓Metal cans
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
- ✓Mixed paper
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Food residue
- ✕Yard waste
- ✕Tanglers (hoses, cords)
Yard Waste Bin
Use paper yard waste bags (available at DPW for $2/five pack) or marked rigid containers. Set 3 feet to the left of your garbage can.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Small twigs
- ✓Garden trimmings
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
By Appointment / Paid Stickers
Placement
Items must be scheduled and properly stickered before being placed at the curb.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture
- ✓ Mattresses
- ✓ Large non-hazardous household items
Not Accepted
- ✕ Hazardous waste
- ✕ Tires
- ✕ Liquid paint
- ✕ Motorized tools with oil/gas
- ✕ Construction debris
Bulk Item stickers must be purchased from the city. Call DPW at 231-724-4100 to determine the cost and schedule pickup for oversized items.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
If a holiday falls on a weekday, garbage and recycling services will be delayed by one day for the remainder of that week.
Yard Waste Exception
Yard waste collections follow the same one-day delay as trash and recycling during holiday weeks in the active season.
If the observed holiday falls on a weekend, your standard collection schedule is unaffected.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Skip the Plastic Bags
Never place recyclables in plastic grocery bags or garbage bags. Republic Services requires all recycling to be loose in the 90-gallon tote to prevent jamming the sorting equipment.
Keep Carts Strictly for Trash
Do not mix yard waste or dirt into your city-issued garbage cart. Doing so will result in the DPW rejecting your cart during collection.
No Motorized Tools
Old lawnmowers or weed trimmers cannot be thrown out in regular trash or bulk pick-up unless all gas and oil have been completely drained to prevent fires in the compactor trucks.
Seasonal Information
Spring & Summer
April to OctoberCurbside yard waste collection runs weekly on your standard garbage day. Ensure all organic material is in paper Kraft bags or rigid containers to avoid foul odors in the hot summer months.
Autumn
NovemberAs the leaves fall, take advantage of the final weeks of curbside yard waste pickup, which ends in November (weather permitting). The Leaf Drop-Off Site on N. Quarterline Rd is also open for excess volume.
Winter
December to MarchYard waste services are suspended. During lake-effect snowfalls, ensure your garbage carts are cleared of snow and accessible to the automated trucks; do not place carts in the street where they block snowplows.
About Muskegon Waste Management
Understanding Muskegon's Divided Waste Collection System
The City of Muskegon operates a hybrid waste collection system to service its residents. Standard household garbage and seasonal yard waste are handled directly by the City of Muskegon Department of Public Works (DPW). However, if you participate in the curbside recycling program, that service is contracted out to Republic Services. Ensure your city-issued garbage carts and Republic recycling totes are placed at the curb with the handle facing your house to accommodate automated trucks.
Opt-In Requirements for Curbside Recycling
Unlike some municipalities where recycling is automatic, Muskegon's single-stream recycling program operates on an opt-in basis. Interested households must sign up through the SeeClickFix Muskegon app or by calling the DPW. Once enrolled, you will receive a 90-gallon tote, and collections occur once every four weeks based on a specific zone route. If you generate excessive recyclables and require a second bin, you must contact Republic Services directly, which carries an annual fee of $54.
Mixed Refuse Stickers for Extra Garbage
During weeks when you have more trash than will fit in your standard city cart, you cannot simply leave extra bags on the curb. Muskegon requires the purchase of Mixed Refuse Stickers for any additional garbage bags. These stickers can be bought at City Hall or the DPW office. Bags without a sticker will be left behind by the sanitation crews.
Yard Waste Collection and Alternative Disposal
From April through November, the DPW picks up yard waste on your regular garbage day. Yard debris must be placed in paper Kraft bags or clearly marked rigid containers—never plastic bags. For residents with massive amounts of leaves or brush, there is an alternative: the Leaf Drop-Off Site located on North Quarterline Road. This site is free for sanitation customers, while non-customers or residents of non-owner-occupied properties can purchase an access pass.
Hardship Accommodations for Seniors and Disabled Residents
Muskegon offers a special program for residents who are physically unable to maneuver the large automated garbage carts. Hardship Stickers are available through the DPW upon request. This program ensures that elderly or disabled community members receive the necessary assistance with their curbside refuse without being penalized for cart placement rules.
Drop-off Facilities
Leaf Drop-Off Site
101 N. Quarterline Rd, Muskegon, MI (Just North of Muskegon Community College)
Materials Accepted
Muskegon County Solid Waste Dept. (Household Hazardous Waste)
By appointment only
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Is recycling automatically collected for all Muskegon residents?
No. The City of Muskegon's recycling program is opt-in. You must sign up via the SeeClickFix app or call DPW at 231-724-4100 to receive a 90-gallon tote. Collections then occur once every four weeks.
What should I do if I have more trash than fits in my cart?
You cannot simply leave extra bags on the curb. You must purchase Mixed Refuse Stickers from the city and place them on any additional garbage bags for them to be collected by the DPW.
Where can I drop off massive amounts of fall leaves?
Muskegon operates a Leaf Drop-Off Site at 101 N. Quarterline Rd from April through November. It is free for sanitation customers; others can purchase an annual pass for $25 or a single-use pass for $5 at Township Hall.
Who do I call to get a second recycling bin?
While the city handles the initial sign-up, requests for a second recycling bin must go directly through the contractor, Republic Services, by calling 231-375-2065. A second bin costs $54 per year.