Service Guidelines - PAYT & Recycling
TO AVOID ADDITIONAL FEES, PLEASE FOLLOW ALL SERVICE GUIDELINES AND PROCEDURES. FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, CALL (616)-456-3000 OR 311.
Contaminated Recycle Cart
Recycle contamination is a serious matter and we need your help to keep prohibited materials out of the cart. If a driver notices any contamination they will take a picture of and not service the cart. We will return the next service day and attempt to service the cart as normal. You may be removed from recycling services for 6 months to 1 year if you do not follow Kent County guidelines. Please visit the Kent County website at http://www.reimaginetrash.org. Please note there will be a $33 reinstatement fee to resume service and deliver a cart.
Misses & Partial Tips
Items must be loosely placed in our carts and drivers will not manually remove material lodged in the cart. We do not return for partial tips and we do not offer refunds for partial tips. Drivers will shake the carts three times; any materials remaining inside indicates an overfilled cart. A partial tip credit will not be issued, and the truck will not return until next day of scheduled pick up. To report a miss call us at (616) 456-3000 or 311 within 24 hours after 3:30 pm on your collection day.
Negative Balance on Account
The cart may be removed from your account and property if your account is at an unpaid balance of $15 or more. If we have left 3 orange tags or more to notify you of an unpaid balance, then we may remove the cart from the property. Customers must pay a $33 reinstatement fee, negative balance owed, and enough for at least one tip.
Changing Cart Sizes
Customers wanting exchange or swap their cart may do once at no additional cost. Any further requests to change the cart will require a $27.50 fee to do so. Customers who wish to swap both carts should plan to do so at the same time to avoid an additional $27.50 swap fee. New customers that want to exchange existing carts at their property may do so outside of this rule.
Moving Out
Failure to notify Public Works may result in additional charges to the account. Cancellation will involve a final tip the week after to cover the last bit of trash you leave at property.
Transferring Service
If you are moving within the City please inform us so that your account records can be updated. If you neglect to contact us regarding the change in location you will be held responsible for any service at the previous location.
Cart Not Serviced
- (a) The account may be in a negative balance. An orange tag may be left on the cart if this is the case.
- (b) Your cart may be in violation; we may leave a violation tag on the cart. You will have one week to correct the violation. If not corrected, the cart will be serviced and may be removed, and you will be required to pay a fine.
- (c) Your cart may be overfilled, and the lid was not able to close, or your carts were too close together. This prevents the driver from tipping your cart as the truck cannot service it without spilling trash all over the street or knocking over the cart next to it.
- (d) Carts must be accessible and visible to the driver for service. Carts blocked by vehicles may not be serviced if the driver does not see it. If none of these are true, please call (616) 456-3000 or 311 to report a miss.
Cart Placement
Cart shall be at the curb with arrows on the lid facing the street by 7:00 am the day of service to guarantee collection. Carts must be at least three feet from any obstruction, including other carts. If the driver is unable to access the cart it may not be serviced and we will not return to service the cart. During the winter months, resident will shovel out a space by the curb for the carts. Cart should not be placed in the road during these months. Carts placed on a sidewalk will not be considered out for servicing and left as is.
Alley Service
We cannot service all alleys within the city. Are you unsure if your carts should be placed in the alley or at the curb, please call us at 616-456-4091. We will verify your address and inform you on the proper location to place your cart.
Bulk Items and Appliances
Large items that don’t fit in the cart and appliance should be placed at the curb with a bulky item or appliance sticker. Stickers can be purchased at participating stores and City Hall. You can also utilize our web based request form to pay for the service. We will strive to collect all large items and appliances within three to five business days of it being placed at the curb.
Payments
Please note that you must maintain a positive balance to prevent a possible service interruption. Deposits to your account must be received at least one business day prior to your next service day to ensure collection. Please note that payments originating with your financial institution may take a couple days longer so plan accordingly. If you are mailing in your payment please also allow a couple extra days for payment to arrive at City Hall and payment processed.
Pay Online
Pay by Phone
616-456-3232 option 1
Pay by Mail or In Person
300 Monroe Ave NW
Grand Rapids MI, 49503
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Subsidized Service
The City of Grand Rapids works with Home Repair Services to connect eligible homeowners with affordable, subsidized trash service. The City offers a 32-gallon refuse service to qualified homeowners. Additional trash carts can be purchased at full retail price and will not receive subsidized rates. If you have more material than the cart can hold then you can either purchase blue City bags at City Hall: 300 Monroe Ave NW or you can also add a 2nd paid service to the account. To see if you qualify, please apply at Home Repair Services, 1100 Division Ave S Grand Rapids MI 49507. You will need to re-qualify for this service each year. Click below for more information on the subsidized trash program and to see if you qualify. For more information, please call Home Repair Services at (616) 241-2601, email at info@homerepairservices.org or visit the website below.
Home Repair Services Website
Home Repair Services First-Time Client Intake Form
Assisted Service
Customers that are physically unable to place the cart at the curb may qualify for our assisted service. Just place the cart by your house/garage and our staff will make sure the cart is emptied each week you want service. To see if you qualify call 616-456-3000 to receive more information and set up an appointment.
Refuse Cart Preparation
All material must be securely bagged and placed inside the cart. We do not service generic trash bags left outside the cart. Cart lids should be open no more than a few inches. Hazardous materials and medical equipment should not be placed in a City refuse cart. If you have more material than will fit in the cart you can purchase blue City bags at City Hall, 300 Monroe Ave NW. If you routinely have more trash than the cart can hold you should consider exchanging the cart for a larger size or adding a 2nd cart service. To find information on properly disposing of hazardous items, chemicals or batteries please check out the Kent County website.
Recycle Cart Preparation
All recyclable material must be empty, clean and placed loosely in the cart. Do not place bagged recyclables in the cart. Plastic items must have a recyclable symbol with numbers 1 thru 7. Plastic bags of any type are not allowed. Cardboard must be empty, clean and broken down. Glass must be empty, clean, and not shattered. Do not put hazardous or medical waste, biological waste/remains, Styrofoam, shredded paper, yard or food waste, or construction debris inside the recycle cart. For more information on how to recycle some of the items listed above please check out the Kent County website.
Cart Care
These carts are a City asset and not the personal property of the customer. Do not paint, add stickers to, or drill holes into the cart. You are responsible for the carts and may be charged a replacement fee equal to the cost of the cart due to any negligence. Carts will get dirty from time to time and can be cleaned with a diluted bleach/water mix and then rinsed with just water.
Extra Carts
Customer are allowed one of each cart type (refuse, recycle, or yard waste) per property unit. A one unit property may only have one each of a refuse, recycle, or yard waste cart and a two unit property may have no more than two each. If you would like an extra cart service then you would need to pay for the cost of a new cart. The extra cart is still a City asset and not personal property.
Residential or Commercial Customer
Our residential services are intended for properties with up to 8 units. Anything beyond 8 units is considered a commercial property and should reach out to a commercial service provider. Public Works will consider offering cart services to larger properties but would need to review each of these on a case by case basis. Customers requesting more than five carts at a single location will be directed to enroll in a commercial service of their choice, including Public Works commercial services. Call 616-456-4091 to inquire about and receive pricing on our commercial service options.