Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Norton Shores
Trash Day
Collection days depend on your private service provider. The City operates under an open-market subscription system where residents choose and contract directly with licensed waste haulers (such as Ames Disposal, Republic Services, Arrowaste, or WM).
Recycling
Recycling pickup schedules depend on your contracted hauler, typically collected weekly or bi-weekly.
Yard Waste
Curbside yard waste collection is offered seasonally through private haulers. In addition, the City operates seasonal drop-off leaf sites at Wood Road and Ross Park.
Set Out Time
By 6:00 AM on collection day
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Curbside trash and recycling services are contracted individually with private haulers and billed separately from city water and sewer utilities.
Billing Cycle
Quarterly
Accepted Methods
Online, Direct Debit (ACH), Mail, In-Person, Drop Box
Varies by Hauler (Typically Green, Blue, or Grey) Bin (Trash)
Place carts at the curb by 6:00 AM on your privately scheduled collection day. Ensure carts are placed at least 3 feet apart from other bins and mailboxes.
Accepted Items
- ✓Everyday household garbage
- ✓Food waste and wrappers
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Bagged household debris
Varies by Hauler Bin (Recycling)
Place items loosely in the cart. Never bag your recyclables in plastic. Ensure all food containers are rinsed lightly before disposal.
Accepted Items
- ✓Flattened cardboard and paperboard
- ✓Mixed paper and magazines
- ✓Metal food and beverage cans
- ✓Plastic bottles, jugs, and tubs
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic grocery bags
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Glass windows or ceramics
- ✕Tanglers (hoses, cords, wires)
- ✕Food-soiled paper
Yard Waste Bin
Services typically run from April through November. Debris must be placed in brown Kraft paper yard bags or clearly marked rigid containers according to your specific hauler's rules.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Fallen leaves
- ✓Small branches and twigs
- ✓Garden weeds and brush
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
By Request Only
Placement
Place approved bulk items neatly at the curb no earlier than the night before your privately scheduled special pickup date.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture (couches, chairs, tables)
- ✓ Mattresses and box springs
- ✓ Household appliances (freon-free)
- ✓ Large household junk
Not Accepted
- ✕ Hazardous waste and wet paint
- ✕ Whole tires and auto parts
- ✕ Concrete, brick, or stone
- ✕ Heavy construction materials
Fees vary entirely based on the specific private hauler you subscribe to and the size, weight, and type of the item being disposed of.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
Since Norton Shores utilizes private haulers, exact schedules vary. Generally, if an observed holiday falls on a weekday, service is delayed by one day for the remainder of the week.
Yard Waste Exception
Curbside yard waste collection is completely suspended from December through March, regardless of holiday schedules.
Always verify your specific holiday schedule and any weather-related route delays directly on your chosen hauler's website or customer portal.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Winter
December to MarchDuring heavy lake-effect snowfalls, clear a flat area at the edge of your driveway for your carts. Never place bins on top of snowbanks or in the street where they will interfere with Norton Shores snowplows.
Spring
AprilMost private yard waste subscriptions in Norton Shores resume on April 1st. Check with your chosen hauler (such as Arrowaste or WM) to ensure your seasonal compost cart is activated for early spring yard cleanup.
Fall
October to NovemberManaging autumn leaves is essential for keeping neighborhood storm drains clear. Utilize your hauler's yard waste program or bring your bagged leaves to an approved Muskegon County disposal site before the season ends.
Local Tips & Community Info
Residential Solid Waste Services
Homeowners in the beautiful coastal community of Norton Shores handle their garbage disposal through a subscription-based system. Rather than relying on a single municipally contracted fleet, residents have the freedom to select a licensed private hauler, such as Arrowaste or Republic Services, to service their address. When setting up your account, your provider will typically deliver a heavy-duty 96-gallon cart. It is important to ensure all household refuse is bagged before being tossed into the container to prevent litter from blowing into the nearby lakes and parks during windy days.
Single-Stream Recycling
Keeping our environment pristine is a priority for this lakeside city. When establishing your garbage service, you can also opt-in for curbside recycling. The single-stream system means you do not need to separate your paper, plastics, and metals. Acceptable items generally include corrugated cardboard, newspapers, rinsed aluminum cans, and plastic jugs. Be cautious to keep non-recyclable materials like plastic grocery bags, food-soiled pizza boxes, and styrofoam out of your bin, as these contaminants disrupt the sorting facilities and can lead to extra fees or rejected pickups.
Seasonal Yard Waste Program
Maintaining a neat landscape is straightforward during the warmer months. Many of the local haulers offer dedicated yard waste collection that typically operates from April 1st through November 30th. During this active season, grass clippings, leaves, and small twigs can be placed in biodegradable Kraft paper bags or specially marked yard waste cans. Plastic bags are strictly prohibited for organic debris. For larger branches, residents must securely bundle them with twine, keeping the length and weight within the hauler's specified limits so the drivers can easily lift them.
Heavy Debris and Bulk Pickups
Disposing of a torn mattress, outdated appliances, or bulky home furnishings requires a bit of planning. Because waste collection is managed by independent companies, you cannot simply drag oversized items to the curb on your normal service day. Instead, you must contact your provider's customer care team directly to arrange a special bulk pickup. Depending on the company and your service tier, there may be an additional charge for this service. Certain items, like refrigerants, wet paint, or hazardous chemicals, will need to be taken to a specialized Muskegon County drop-off facility.
Cart Placement and Holiday Schedules
To ensure a smooth pickup process, roll your carts out by 6:00 AM on your designated collection morning. Place them on a level surface near the street, keeping at least three feet of clearance from mailboxes, trees, and parked cars so the automated truck arms can safely grab them. During major holidays like Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Labor Day, pickup schedules are typically pushed back by one full day. Normal collection routines resume the following week.
Drop-off Facilities
Fruitland Ecology Station (Muskegon County Program)
Fruitland Township, MI (Refer to Muskegon County DPW for exact drop-off locations and residency rules)
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the City of Norton Shores provide municipal garbage collection?
No, the city does not provide a centralized municipal trash service. Residents are responsible for setting up their own garbage and recycling collection through local private haulers like Arrowaste or Republic Services.
When does the yard waste collection season begin and end?
Depending on your chosen hauler, the yard waste pickup season in Norton Shores typically runs from April 1st through November 30th each year.
Can I leave large items like a couch at the curb for normal pickup?
No, bulk items require advanced scheduling. You must contact your specific waste management provider ahead of time to request a bulk item pickup and pay any associated fees.