What are you trying to get rid of?

Paper, cans, glass, and plastic

The local accepted list is the answer

Paper, cardboard, metal cans, glass containers, and plastic bottles or jugs are common recycling materials, but none is a statewide curbside promise. Michigan communities choose their programs, and nearby places can send material to different sorting facilities.

1. 1. Find your provider

   Check the city, township, county, recycling authority, apartment manager, or private hauler that serves the address. Use its current accepted-materials list.

2. 2. Prepare it their way

   Empty containers and remove excessive residue. Follow local directions about lids, labels, flattening, sorting, and whether material goes loose or in a particular container.

3. 3. Do not wishcycle

   If the program does not list it, keep it out. Plastic bags can jam sorting equipment, and a wrong item can turn into trash after taking a longer trip through the system.

The number inside a plastic triangle identifies the resin. It does not tell you whether the local facility has equipment or a market for that object. Search the directory for film plastic, foam, cartons, scrap metal, or another item that your curbside program leaves out.

Michigan's ten-cent return

Deposit containers use the store route

The full retailer rule, covered-drink explanation, and out-of-state return warning are in the Michigan bottle-deposit guide.

Batteries and electronics

A battery can turn a sorting mistake into a fire

Rechargeable and lithium-ion batteries do not belong in curbside recycling or household trash. Use a designated battery collection point, follow its packaging instructions, and tape exposed terminals before transport. Keep a battery inside its device when practical unless the collection program asks you to remove it.

Rechargeable or lithium

Use a designated drop-off or retailer take-back. Tape the terminals and protect the casing from damage.

Alkaline household batteries

EGLE says some modern alkaline batteries may go in household trash, but all batteries are recyclable and a local collection is the better route when available.

TVs, computers, and printers

Michigan's manufacturer take-back system covers important consumer electronics. Check the manufacturer's program, registered recycler list, or state directory for the device and brand.

A damaged, swollen, hot, leaking, or recalled lithium battery is not a routine drop-off. Keep people away from immediate danger and contact the collection program or local fire department for handling instructions before transporting it.

Paint, chemicals, pesticides, oil, and tires

The garage has several different exits

A label that says warning, caution, flammable, toxic, poison, corrosive, or oxidizer is a signal to stop before using the trash or drain. Keep products in labeled containers when possible and ask the receiving program how to prepare them.

Household hazardous waste is not one statewide weekly service. Many local collections are seasonal, and some limit materials, appointments, quantities, or service to residents. Call before loading the vehicle.

Medications and sharps

Use the take-back map, not the recycling cart

Michigan's household drug map identifies locations for controlled substances, solid or liquid medicine, and sharps. The categories matter: a medicine drop box may not accept needles, liquids, inhalers, or every drug. Check the map filters and the location's instructions before the trip.

Leaves, grass, branches, and food scraps

Yard clippings generally stay out of the landfill

Michigan generally routes leaves, grass, small brush, and similar yard clippings to composting rather than a landfill. Check whether your city, township, or hauler collects them, use the state directory to find a drop-off, or compost suitable material at home without creating odors, pests, or another nuisance.

Food-scrap programs vary too. For a home pile, EGLE says to leave out meat, fish, poultry, dairy, animal fats, and human or pet feces because they can create disease, odor, pest, or nuisance problems.

Appliances, mattresses, and odd items

Find the receiver before moving the item

A working appliance may have a reuse or donation route. Scrap metal, a refrigerator, mattress, propane cylinder, construction debris, foam, or another oversized item may need a special facility, retailer pickup, refrigerant handling, appointment, or fee. Search by the exact material, then call the receiver.