Trash & Recycling in Grand Rapids, MI (2026)
7 verified trash & recycling rules for Grand Rapids, Michigan, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Pickup Rules & Schedules
Grand Rapids requires residential premises to keep one or more rigid, rodent-proof refuse carts of no more than 100 gallons, stored out of view between collections.
Grand Rapids Trash Cart Storage Rules
Some RestrictionsGrand Rapids City Code § 2.4 (Chapter 25, Solid Waste Management)
The owner or occupant of any residential unit within the City in which any Solid Waste shall be accumulated, shall maintain on said Premises one (1) or more refuse carts, each having a capacity of not more than one hundred (100) gallons. The number of carts kept on each Premises shall be sufficient to conveniently store the normal accumulation of Solid Waste on said Premises over a period of no...
Bin Placement Rules
Grand Rapids requires households to keep solid waste in rigid, rodent-proof carts of no more than 100 gallons and to store those carts at the rear or side of the building, away from streets.
Grand Rapids Garbage Cart Storage Rules
Some RestrictionsGrand Rapids City Code § 2.4
The owner or occupant of any residential unit within the City in which any Solid Waste shall be accumulated, shall maintain on said Premises one (1) or more refuse carts, each having a capacity of not more than one hundred (100) gallons. The number of carts kept on each Premises shall be sufficient to conveniently store the normal accumulation of Solid Waste on said Premises over a period of no...
Recycling Requirements
Grand Rapids requires households enrolled in its Single Stream Recycling Program to keep a cart sized for at least 14 days of recyclable material, twice the 7-day standard set for regular refuse.
Grand Rapids Recycling Cart Capacity Rule
Some RestrictionsGrand Rapids City Code § 2.4
The owner or occupant of any residential unit within the City in which any Solid Waste shall be accumulated, shall maintain on said Premises one (1) or more refuse carts, each having a capacity of not more than one hundred (100) gallons. The number of carts kept on each Premises shall be sufficient to conveniently store the normal accumulation of Solid Waste on said Premises over a period of no...
Illegal Dumping
Grand Rapids bans throwing or depositing garbage or rubbish on any street, alley, or public or private property, and requires owners to keep premises free of accumulated waste.
Grand Rapids Bans Dumping Garbage, Rubbish
Heavy RestrictionsGrand Rapids City Code § 2.6 (Chapter 25, Solid Waste Management)
No person shall throw or deposit any Garbage or Rubbish upon or into any street, alley or other property, public or private. It shall be the duty of every occupant of property and of every owner of unoccupied property at all times to maintain the Premises occupied or owned by him or her, in a clean and orderly condition, permitting no deposit or accumulation of Garbage or Rubbish upon such Prem...
Yard Waste Collection
Grand Rapids collects yard waste as part of its city-run Solid Waste program. The City Manager sets container types and pickup schedules for yard waste under Chapter 25 of the Code of Ordinances.
Grand Rapids Yard Waste Collection Program
Light RestrictionsGrand Rapids City Code § 2.2
The Manager is hereby authorized to promulgate Regulations governing the collection and disposal of recycling, refuse, and yard waste; and establishing a schedule for the collection of the same. Such Regulations shall also provide for the type of containers acceptable for collection by the City. Solid Waste collection services shall be offered by the City to all Premises within the City in acco...
Dumpster Rules
Commercial dumpsters and other non-residential waste receptacles in Grand Rapids can't go in the front yard, must sit at least 3 feet from the rear or side lot line, and stay at least 20 feet from any adjacent residential use.
Grand Rapids Commercial Dumpster Placement
Some RestrictionsGrand Rapids City Code § 5.2.13.E
E.Placement.2.Front yard. Waste receptacles and enclosures shall not be placed in the front yard.3.Rear and side yards. Waste receptacles and enclosures shall be in the rear or side yard and not closer than three (3) feet from the rear or side lot line, unless otherwise approved by the Director where no other practical location is present.4.Residential use adjacent. Waste receptacles and enclos...
Collection Schedule
Grand Rapids requires solid waste carts at the curb before 7 a.m. on collection day, and bars setting them out before 7 p.m. the night before.
Grand Rapids Trash Curb Placement Times
Some RestrictionsGrand Rapids City Code § 2.5 (Chapter 25, Solid Waste Management)
All Solid Waste intended for City collection shall be contained in one (1) or more City refuse bags or City refuse carts and shall be placed in the parkway near the curb adjacent to the property, unless otherwise specifically permitted at an alternate location by the Regulations. Such carts shall be placed at that location prior to 7:00 a.m. on the day scheduled for collection from that propert...
Looking for Kent County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Grand Rapids city rules.
Trash & Recycling in Kent County →