Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Georgetown Charter Township
Trash Day
Trash collection is not provided directly by the township; residents contract privately with licensed waste haulers (such as Arrowaste, Republic Services, or Waste Management), so pickup days vary by provider and neighborhood.
Recycling
Curbside recycling is arranged directly through private waste haulers on varying schedules, or materials can be taken to Ottawa County recycling drop-off centers.
Yard Waste
Curbside yard waste pickup is offered as an optional subscription service through private waste haulers.
Set Out Time
By 6:00 AM on collection day
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Georgetown Charter Township bills quarterly for municipal water and sewer, while residential trash and recycling services are billed separately through private haulers.
Billing Cycle
Quarterly
Accepted Methods
Online, ACH Auto-Pay, Phone, Mail, Drop Box, In Person
Varies by chosen private hauler (e.g., Green for WM, Blue for Republic) Bin (Trash)
Trash must be bagged inside the cart provided by your privately contracted hauler. Place the cart at the curb on the specific day assigned by your hauler, ensuring it does not obstruct traffic or snowplows.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household refuse
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Non-recyclable packaging and wrappers
Varies by chosen private hauler Bin (Recycling)
Do not bag standard recyclables. Flatten all cardboard and remove plastic or metal strapping. Shredded paper is the only exception; it must be placed in a clear plastic bag before going into the recycling cart.
Accepted Items
- ✓Corrugated cardboard and mixed paper
- ✓Clear and colored glass bottles (washed, no lids)
- ✓Metal food/beverage cans and empty aerosol cans (remove nozzle)
- ✓Plastic containers stamped #1 and #2 (milk jugs, butter tubs)
Do NOT Include
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Plastic bags or plastic liners
- ✕Ceramics, drinking glasses, and window glass
- ✕Lithium-ion batteries and electronics
Yard Waste Bin
If subscribed to a private hauler's yard waste service, follow their specific container or paper bag rules. If dropping off at a local facility like Spurt Industries, ensure no plastic bags or root balls are included.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Fallen leaves
- ✓Small twigs and organic garden debris
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
By appointment only (varies by private contract).
Placement
Follow the precise placement instructions provided by your private hauler when you schedule the pickup.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture (sofas, chairs, tables)
- ✓ Mattresses
- ✓ Household appliances (verify Freon rules with hauler)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Household hazardous waste
- ✕ Lithium-ion batteries
- ✕ Tires
Bulk pickup is not included in standard township taxes. Your private hauler will issue a specific quote based on the size and weight of the items being disposed of.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
Holiday schedules depend entirely on the private hauler you select. However, standard industry practice for major companies like Arrowaste, Waste Management, and Republic Services is a one-day service delay if the holiday falls on a weekday.
Yard Waste Exception
Any subscribed yard waste collections will follow the same holiday delay schedule as your primary trash hauler.
Always check your specific hauler's website or app to confirm their exact holiday operational calendar.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Remove Lids and Caps
Before tossing glass jars, plastic bottles, or aerosol cans into your recycling bin, you must remove all lids, caps, and spray nozzles. Wash the containers clean of food residue to prevent load contamination.
Bag Your Shredded Paper
While you should never bag standard bottles, cans, or boxes in plastic, shredded paper is the one exception in Georgetown's recycling guidelines. Put shredded paper in a clear plastic bag so it doesn't blow away during sorting.
Keep Ceramics and Window Glass Out
The local recycling stream only accepts clear and colored glass food and beverage bottles. Never put drinking glasses, ceramic dishes, mirrors, or broken window glass in the bin, as they melt at different temperatures and ruin the glass recycling process.
Seasonal Information
Spring and Fall
April, May, October, NovemberHeavy leaf drop occurs during these months. Since burning leaves is strictly prohibited by the Fire Department, residents should arrange a seasonal yard waste pickup with their hauler or transport leaves to Top Grade Aggregates or Spurt Industries.
Winter
December through MarchWhen snow is falling, keep your private trash carts out of the street and safely in your driveway approach. Carts left in the road severely hinder the Township's snow plowing operations.
Year-Round Electronics Disposal
January through DecemberGeorgetown recommends utilizing local retail take-back programs for seasonal e-waste cleanups. Stores like Best Buy, Staples, and Goodwill accept many used electronics that cannot go in your curbside bin.
About Georgetown Charter Township Waste Management
Navigating Georgetown Township's Open Market Waste System
Unlike municipalities that manage a single town-wide contract, Georgetown Charter Township operates on a fully privatized, open-market solid waste system. Residents are responsible for independently researching and hiring their own trash and recycling collection service. The primary approved haulers operating in the area include Arrowaste, Republic Services (Allied Waste), Waste Management (WM), and Everkept. Residents should contact these companies directly to establish service, compare rates, and obtain designated refuse carts.
Curbside vs. Drop-Off Yard Waste Options
Because yard waste is not automatically included in standard open-market trash plans, Georgetown residents must opt-in and pay an additional subscription fee to their chosen hauler for curbside compost pickup. For those who prefer a DIY approach, the township directs residents to several local drop-off centers. You can haul your leaves and grass clippings directly to the Everkept facility on Port Sheldon Street in Jenison, Top Grade Aggregates, or Spurt Industries in Zeeland.
Strict Regulations Against Leaf Burning
While Georgetown Township allows residents to maintain small recreational fire pits (maximum 3 feet in diameter), the local Fire Department strictly prohibits the burning of yard waste. You may only burn clean firewood. Igniting fallen leaves, grass clippings, or construction materials like treated siding is illegal and should be reported to Ottawa County Central Dispatch.
Critical Safety Rules for E-Bikes and Lithium Batteries
The Township has issued specific public safety warnings regarding the disposal of lithium-ion batteries commonly found in e-bikes and e-scooters. These batteries must never be thrown into your standard private trash or recycling carts, as they can easily overheat, explode, and ignite massive fires inside the sanitation trucks. Instead, all hazardous batteries should be transported to the Ottawa County Hazardous Waste and Recycling facility located on Roger Drive in Hudsonville.
Drop-off Facilities
Ottawa County Health Department (Hudsonville Office)
3100 Port Sheldon Street, Hudsonville, MI 49426
Materials Accepted
Everkept Yard Waste Drop-Off
2412 Port Sheldon St., Jenison, MI 49428
Materials Accepted
Spurt Industries (Zeeland)
5024 Adams St., Zeeland, MI 49464
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Georgetown Township provide my trash and recycling bins?
No. Georgetown Charter Township operates on an open-market system. You must independently hire a private waste hauler (such as Arrowaste, Republic Services, or Waste Management), and that specific company will provide your household bins.
Can I burn leaves and grass in my backyard fire pit?
Absolutely not. The Georgetown Township Fire Department only permits burning clean wood in residential fire pits (which must be 3 feet or smaller). Burning leaves, grass clippings, or construction materials is strictly prohibited.
Where can I take my yard waste if I don't want to pay for a curbside subscription?
The township recommends hauling your organic yard waste to local drop-off centers. Popular nearby facilities include Everkept in Jenison (2412 Port Sheldon St), Top Grade Aggregates in Zeeland, and Spurt Industries in Zeeland.
How do I safely dispose of e-scooter batteries in Georgetown?
Lithium-ion batteries from e-bikes and e-scooters are highly flammable and must never be thrown in your curbside trash. You should take them to the Ottawa County Hazardous Waste and Recycling facility on Roger Drive in Hudsonville for safe disposal.