Refuse, Recycle, & Yard Waste Violation Explanations

#1 - Illegal Refuse

There is Illegal Refuse on your property or in the parkway or alley adjacent to your property, at the address noted. The refuse is not properly prepared for pickup as required by the City Code. Refuse (excluding appliances, bulk items, and yard waste) shall be contained in one or more City Refuse Bags, City Refuse Carts. Any refuse outside of the cart shall be properly bagged in a City Bag.

#2 - Cart @ Curb for Extended Period

In no event shall any Cart/Bag be placed at the curb for collection before 7:00PM on the day preceding the scheduled collection day or after 7:00AM on the day following the scheduled collection day. Rigid carts for storage of (refuse, recycle or yard waste) shall be placed at the rear or side of the building, at a place which is reasonably inconspicuous and away from streets and places occupied by other persons.

#3 - Bag or Cart Weight

Bags shall be no larger than 30 gallons in size and weigh no more than 30 pounds. City Refuse Carts shall weigh no more than the following: 32g-60 pounds, 64g-120 pounds, 96g-180 pounds.

#4 - Scattered Refuse

Any refuse scattered prior to collection or resulting from breakage of a bag or box shall be the property owner’s responsibility.

#5 - Containment of Material

All refuse must be contained inside of the City Refuse Cart. Lid must be substantially closed. Additional Carts can be purchased for an additional fee. Please call 311 or (616) 456-3000 for more information.

#6 Hazardous Material

The City shall not collect Hazardous Waste Materials (including tires). Call Kent County Hazardous Waste at (616)336-2501 or visit www.reimaginetrash.org for more information on disposal.

#7 - Bulky Item

All bulky items and/or appliances, which cannot be bagged or boxed due to weight or size, shall have a City Bulk Sticker attached to each bulk item and be properly prepared for collection. Collection may also be scheduled and purchased online here. For more details please visit: https://www.grandrapidsmi.gov/Government/Departments/Public-Works-Department

#8 - Broken Glass

Broken glass shall be double wrapped in newspaper or boxed.

#9 - Cart Placement

Place cart 1-2 feet from edge of road at the curb. Keep cart(s) 3 feet away from all objects. Such as poles, cars, other carts, fire hydrants or phone box.

#10 - Yard Waste or Construction Material

No yard waste, wood, boards, or construction material is to be placed inside City Refuse Carts or Blue Refuse Bags.

Please correct any noted issues prior to the next regularly scheduled service day. If you would like to schedule a return collection prior to this time a $25 fee will be applied to your account. Repeated violations will result in the suspension of the recycling service. For more information please refer to our Service Guidelines

#1 - Dirty Recyclables

All material must be free of grease, food, oil, dirt, mud, etc.

#2 - Cart @ Curb for Extended Period

In no event shall any Cart/Bag be placed at the curb for collection before 7AM or after 7PM of the day preceding the scheduled collection day. Carts shall be stored at rear or side of building away from streets and places occupied by other residents.

#3 - Cardboard Size

Break down cardboard into manageable sizes. (2ft by 2ft)

#4 - Plastic Caps & Lids

Remove and discard plastic/metal caps, lids, rings.

#5 - Containment

ALL recycling material needs to be contained and loose inside of recycling cart with lid substantially closed. Additional Carts can be purchased for an additional fee. Please call 311 or (616) 456-3000 for more information.

#6 - Household Trash

NO household trash.

#7 - Shredded Paper & Plastic Bags

NO shredded paper, plastic bags, or bagged material.

#8 - Electronics

NO batteries, small appliances, electrical or car parts.

#9 - Other Non-Recyclable Item

NO other non-recyclable item. (film, Styrofoam, foam rubber, non-recyclable plastic, etc.)

#10 - Yard Waste or Construction Material

NO yard waste, wood, boards, or construction material is to be placed inside City Refuse Carts or Blue Refuse Bags.

#1 - Improperly Prepared Bulk Yard Waste

Only City Yard Waste Tags shall be used for Bulk Yard Waste (yard waste which cannot be bagged). Bulk Yard Waste must be bundled and tied securely with twine, weigh no more than 30 pounds per bundle, be no more than 4 feet in length, and less than 2 inches in diameter, and have a City Yard Waste Tag attached to each bundle.

#2 - Cart at Curb for Extended Period

In no event shall any Cart/Bag be placed at the curb for collection before 7:00AM or after 7:00PM of the day preceding the scheduled collection day. Rigid carts for storage of (refuse, recycle or yard waste) shall be placed at the rear or side of the building, at a place which is reasonably inconspicuous and away from streets and places occupied by other persons.

#3 Cart/Bag Weight

Only City Yard Waste Paper Bags, weighing no more than 30 pounds when full, or the City Yard Waste Carts, weighing no more than 180 pounds with Yard Waste Cart Tag attached, shall be used for leaves, grass clippings, brush and garden plants.

#4 Non-City Waste Container

Yard Waste will not be collected if it is placed in an Old Plastic City Yard Waste Bag, Plastic Trash Bag, Non-City Paper Yard Waste Bag or Non-City Yard Waste Cart.

#5 Containment

All yard waste must be contained inside of the City Yard Waste Bag. The bag must be securely closed, reasonably dry, and free of rips and tears. Please call 311 or (616) 456-3000 for more information.

#6 No Household Trash

NO REFUSE shall be placed in a City Yard Waste Paper Bag or City Yard Waste Cart

#7 Biological Waste

No biological waste (manure, deceased animals or animal parts) is allowed in a City Yard Waste Cart.

#8 No Tag for Cart/Bag

City Yard Waste intended for collection must be in a Paper City Yard Waste Bag or City Yard Waste Cart with Yard Waste Cart Tag attached. Other Yard Waste Paper Bags are acceptable, but only with a Purple City Yard Waste Tag affixed.