Questions and Answers
Household Waste Guide
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Many questions can be answered by visiting our online household waste guide.
Household Recycling
Do I need to clean recyclables before putting them in the bin?
Yes! Your recyclables should be cleaned of food residue and dirt. All paper put into the bin should be dry.
Who do I call if the recycling truck misses my house?
Kent County doesn’t pick up recycling, so contact the City of Grand Rapids Streets and Sanitation 456-3232 or whoever your trash and recycling hauler is.
What happens if I place an unacceptable item into the bin (like Styrofoam)?
A few things may happen. Your recycling might not be picked up at all; the unacceptable item may be left in your bin; or the item may eventually make it to the Kent County Recycling Center where we have to sort it out.
Can I put light bulbs in my recycling bin?
No, CFL (compact fluorescent light) bulbs contain mercury and if broken will contaminate the other recyclables. Check the Guide for disposal information for hazardous material. Standard incandescent light bulbs can safely be put in the trash, but are not recyclable.
How do I start recycling?
Curbside recycling is provided by private waste haulers, which are listed in the Yellow Pages under ‘Rubbish’. If you are a resident of the City of Grand Rapids, the City provides a free curbside recycling service along with trash pickup.
If you do not have curbside recycling, your recyclables can be dropped off at one of Kent County’s free residential drop-off recycling stations.
Why is there a cost for curbside recycling service?
Your waste hauler charges a fee for curbside recycling service to help cover the cost incurred from the additional employees and equipment required to collect the recyclables. Kent County does not pay private haulers to bring recyclables to our center. If you want to recycle but don’t want to pay for the curbside service, use one of Kent County’s free drop-off recycling stations.
Why can't Styrofoam be recycled in Kent County?
Sorting and storage limitations at our current facility make it difficult to include this type of plastic for recycling. See our household waste guide for a listing of private businesses that will accept some types of Styrofoam.
As with all products, consider your purchasing habits. When possible, purchase products with the least amount of packaging and try to buy products packaged in recyclable materials.
Where do I take grass clippings, leaves and branches from my yard? My trash company won’t take it in my normal trash.
Many cities and townships offer this service to their residents at specific times during the year. If your municipality does not offer a yard waste service, see our household waste guide for other options. Check with your private waste hauler to subscribe to their curbside yard waste program.
Where can I recycle my old TV and computer?
Bring these electronics to one of the sites listed in our household waste guide. Note the list of items that are accepted for recycling as not all electronics are included.
Household Hazardous Waste
I have some stuff that I know shouldn’t be put in the trash. What do I do with it?
Contact the Kent County Department of Public Works to see if it’s accepted in the Household Hazardous Waste Program. Weekly appointments are available year-round for residents to bring in household hazardous materials for safe disposal.
See our hazardous waste webpage for information on what is accepted through the Household Hazardous Waste Program, to request an appointment during the week or to see when the Saturday collection dates are for this year.
Why do I have to make an appointment to drop off my household hazardous waste?
There are several reasons we make appointments for this service:
• Due to the nature of the materials (flammable, toxic, corrosive), it would be unsafe to allow people to drop them off at unmonitored locations.
• Trained staff operate the drop-off locations on different days during the week, so we need to know when to meet you at the site. If there are no appointments for a time period, we do not travel to the site.
• We also need to provide guidelines and advice to people in transporting their materials. Because this is a free service to Kent County residents we also need to make sure that no businesses, farms or institutions (who are regulated under state and federal laws) are bringing in wastes.
Is there something hazardous in my new spiral light bulb?
When CFL bulbs burn out, they (and all Fluorescent bulbs) should not be tossed in the trash because they contain mercury. They should be disposed of as household hazardous waste.
Why don't you accept latex paint?
Latex paint is water based, is not flammable, and can be safely placed in your trash once dried out. See our instructions for quickly drying out latex paint. It must be dried out before placing it in your trash – your waste hauler will not pick up your trash if the paint is not dried out.
These disposal instructions do not apply to oil-based paint, which is solvent based and combustible. Oil-based paint should be disposed of through the Household Hazardous Waste Program.
I have an appliance that has Freon in it. Can I bring it to a household hazardous waste center?
We do not have the equipment to dismantle appliances with Freon, but you can take Freon-containing appliances (like refrigerators, freezers, dehumidifiers & air conditioner units) to the North Kent Transfer Station or the South Kent Landfill for proper disposal. A registered technician will remove the Freon.
Where can I take a refillable BBQ grill propane tank for disposal?
BBQ grill-size (and larger) propane tanks may be taken to either the North Kent Transfer Station or the South Kent Landfill for proper disposal. They will be transported to a disposal facility for decommissioning and recycling.
How do I dispose of prescription medication and needles/lancets?
The Kent County Household Hazardous Waste Program does not accept medical waste of any kind. In the past, it was recommended that prescription drugs be flushed down the drain. This is no longer the case as wastewater treatment plants and septic systems are not able to break down the drug and it passes back into the treated water. Alternately, it is legal to place medical waste in the trash but this, too, presents dangers. See instructions for disposal of medical waste on our household waste guide.
Business Hazardous Waste
Where can I dispose of hazardous products from my business?
Businesses are regulated differently than residents when it comes to disposing of hazardous materials. There are specific requirements for reporting and record keeping ensuring that businesses are disposing of hazardous materials appropriately.
Businesses should contact a licensed hazardous waste contractor for disposal options and requirements. In the Yellow Pages, look for ‘Hazardous Waste Services’ or ‘Environmental & Ecological Services’. The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality Grand Rapids District Office will also be able to provide guidance. See our online waste guide for more contacts.
Business Recycling
I want to start an office recycling program. How do I begin?
Waste reduction and recycling in your business can pay for itself or, in a lot of cases, earn profits for the company by saving resources. A successful waste reduction program requires support from everyone in the office, starting with top management. It also helps to have at least one ‘recycling champion’ - someone who has primary responsibility for the waste reduction and recycling program. This person should have a strong interest in resource conservation, and should have access to records of the company’s material inputs and waste outputs to be able to make informed decisions about waste reduction and recycling options.
The Michigan Recycling Coalition has created a booklet, titled "Master Business Recycler Manual” that gives tips and ideas on how to start or expand a business recycling program. Visit the Michigan Recycling Coalition for additional suggestions.
I work in a small office that doesn’t generate that much for recycling. Can I just drop if off myself for free?
Our drop-off centers are only large enough to accept household recyclables. Please use our Materials Recovery Facility for recycling your business wastes. This recycling center is for household-type materials only (like bottles, jars, printer paper, etc.) – if you have industrial wastes, please contact a materials broker directly. A listing of companies is available at the Michigan Materials Market Directory.
