The City of Grand Rapids offers a yard waste drop-off and compost site for residents. Located at 2001 Butterworth St SW, the site allows residents to dispose of yard waste at no cost, provided it is loose or in approved paper bags.
Grass clippingsLeavesBrushTwigsGarden PlantsTree Limbs+5 more
Comprenew is a certified electronics recycling site specializing in secure IT asset disposition and data destruction services. They ensure compliance with confidentiality standards while recycling and disposing of electronic waste responsibly.
ComputersLaptopsPrintersMonitorsHard DrivesCell Phones+5 more
Division Metal Recyclers on Division Avenue South in Grand Rapids recycles ferrous metals, vehicles, farm equipment, and appliances from a family-owned yard open since 2016. Customers pull onto the scale, take a number, and follow the green light process for drop-off. Hours are Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
scrap metaljunk carsGrand Rapidsauto salvageappliancesKent County
Listed hours: Mon-Fri 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM · Sat 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM · Sun Closed
The Kent County Department of Public Works offers various waste management services to residents, including a Waste to Energy Facility that powers all households in the City of Walker, recycling facilities that process over 4,000 tons of steel annually, a SafeChem program that safely disposes of household chemicals, and a methane capture system at the South Kent Landfill that generates energy for 2,500 households. The department aims to reduce landfill waste by 90% by 2030 and provides resources such as a recycling guide, disposal guide, and information on landfill services. Visitors can also book tours, access contact information, and subscribe to newsletters for updates on projects, waste diversion efforts, and community resources.
PADNOS Burton Recycling Center is a recycling site in Grand Rapids, MI. They provide services for scrap metal recycling and junk car removal, contributing to environmental sustainability in the community.
CopperAluminumSteelBrassJunk carsElectronics+6 more
Listed hours: Mon-Fri 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM · Sat 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM · Sun Closed
PADNOS Turner Recycling Center is a scrap yard and recycling center located in Grand Rapids, MI, specializing in a variety of materials. They help customers recycle scrap metal and junk cars while promoting environmental sustainability.
CopperAluminumSteelJunk carsCatalytic convertersElectronics+4 more
Listed hours: Mon-Sat 8:00 AM – 5:30 PM · Sun Closed
Perfect Circle Recycling offers waste diversion services to help businesses minimize landfill impact. They process food, beverages, and other materials, offering certified destruction, recycling, and data-driven reporting for clients.
Food wasteBeveragesCardboardPlasticAnimal feed materialsrecycling+4 more
Recycling Concepts Inc. is a recycling center based in Grand Rapids, MI, established in 2001 with a focus on solving industrial waste problems and redirecting raw material waste streams. They offer services such as waste audits to identify materials that can be diverted from landfills to recycling streams, with the goal of helping companies become landfill free and reduce waste by up to 80%, leading to significant cost savings. Visitors can contact them for a free waste audit to assess their recycling processes. The center aims to make a global impact by encouraging companies to partner with them in exploring recycling opportunities for continued growth and success. Contact information includes a phone number (616.942.8888) and address (5015 52nd Street SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49512).
Waste AuditsLandfill DiversionRecycling StreamsLandfill FreeCost SavingsGlobal Impact+1 more
Riverside Recycling LLC is a commercial recycling center located in Grand Rapids, MI, serving the community since 2002 and recently relocated to a new facility in fall 2017 to enhance their services. They offer personalized recycling solutions to manufacturers in the area, emphasizing flexibility and timeliness in scheduling. The center is open Monday to Friday from 7:30 AM to 4:30 PM, providing a convenient drop-off option for recyclable materials. Visitors can find Riverside Recycling at 529 32nd Street SE in Grand Rapids, MI.
West Side Iron and Metal is a family-owned scrapyard serving the Western Michigan area since 1983. They provide services for both homeowners and business owners, focusing on reliable and professional scrap metal services.
scrapyardrecyclingmetaldismantlingcontainer service
Based on the listings above, materials commonly handled in Grand Rapids include recycling, Steel, electronics recycling, scrap metal, junk cars. Browse the guides below for preparation tips, scrap values, and what's recyclable.
Grand Rapids residents recycle through the city's single stream program, meaning all clean recyclables go loose into one cart with no sorting required. The city runs on a pay as you throw model: refuse carts are billed per pickup (called a tip), and anything extra needs a blue city trash bag or a bulk item sticker. Recycling and trash both get processed nearby: the Kent County Recycling and Education Center sorts curbside material, and the county's Waste to Energy Facility converts what's left into electricity for local homes and businesses. Michigan also puts a dime on beer and soda cans. Oregon and Connecticut charge that same dime, and the store return keeps a lot of those cans out of the Grand Rapids cart.
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I put in my Grand Rapids recycling cart?
Grand Rapids uses single stream recycling, so clean paper, cardboard, metal cans, plastic containers stamped 1 through 7, and glass bottles and jars all go loose into the same cart, no bagging or sorting needed. Rinse containers and remove caps, lids, and any metal or plastic rings before tossing them in. Items must go in loose: bagged recyclables are treated as contamination and can get your cart flagged or skipped.
Can I recycle glass in Grand Rapids curbside pickup?
Yes, glass beverage and food containers go in the same single stream cart as everything else, as long as they're empty, clean, and not broken. The city's guidance is specific that broken or shattered glass is not accepted curbside because it contaminates the load and is a safety hazard for sorters at the Kent County Recycling and Education Center. Automobile glass, window panes, mirrors, ceramics, dishware, and light bulbs are never recyclable in the cart, no matter the condition.
How do I get rid of paint, chemicals, or electronics in Grand Rapids?
Kent County's SafeChem program handles household hazardous waste, including paint, chemicals, pesticides, batteries, and fluorescent bulbs, at five drop-off sites around the county, with the main Grand Rapids location at 1045 Wealthy Street SW. Electronics are accepted at the Grand Rapids and Rockford SafeChem sites, but not at the Kentwood or Wyoming locations. The Grand Rapids site also runs a Swap Shop where residents can take home free unopened or lightly used household products that others dropped off.
How does bulky item and trash pickup work in Grand Rapids?
Grand Rapids uses carts and a pay as you throw billing system rather than city-issued trash bags for regular weekly pickup: your refuse cart is billed per tip, and anything set out beside the cart needs a blue City trash bag (sold at City Hall and participating stores) or it won't be collected. For large items like furniture, appliances, and mattresses, you need a $40 bulk item sticker or an online payment, and the item can't exceed 6 feet by 5 feet or it won't fit the truck.
How much is Michigan's bottle deposit and why does it matter?
Michigan charges 10 cents on most carbonated soft drinks, soda water, and beer or malt beverages. Oregon and Connecticut charge 10 cents too. The Michigan law dates to a 1976 ballot initiative, and you get the dime back at a retailer or redemption center. That store return is why a lot of cans never reach a Grand Rapids cart.
Recycling tips for Grand Rapids
•Keep recyclables loose in the cart, never bagged; drivers flag bagged recyclables as contamination and may skip your cart or suspend service for repeat violations.
•Rinse glass containers and set them in gently, since Kent County's guidance rejects broken or shattered glass in curbside recycling.
•Buy a $40 bulk item sticker (or pay online) before setting a couch, mattress, or appliance at the curb; anything larger than 6 ft. by 5 ft. won't fit the truck and won't be picked up.
•If your refuse cart is full, use a blue City trash bag next to it instead of a generic bag: unauthorized extra bags get a $2.50 charge per bag.
•Take deposit cans and bottles to a store redemption machine. Michigan's refund is 10 cents, the same as Oregon and Connecticut, and a case of beer or soda adds up.
Recycling centers near Grand Rapids
The closest recycling centers in neighboring areas: