Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Plainfield Charter Township
Trash Day
Curbside collection days vary depending on the private licensed waste hauler contracted for your residence.
Recycling
Pickup frequency depends on your private subscription provider, or recyclables can be dropped off for free at Kent County DPW's North Kent Recycling & Waste Center.
Yard Waste
Seasonal collection is offered through private subscription haulers; residents can also use local drop-off facilities, compost at home, or obtain a seasonal burn permit through the Fire Department.
Set Out Time
By 6:00 AM on collection day
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Township utility bills cover municipal water and sewer services; curbside trash and recycling are contracted and billed separately through your choice of private hauler.
Billing Cycle
Monthly
Accepted Methods
Online, Auto-Pay, Phone, Mail, Drop Box, In Person
Varies by hauler (commonly Blue, Green, or Black) Bin (Trash)
All trash must be bagged and tied before being placed in the cart. Carts must be at the curb by 6:00 AM on your scheduled service day, keeping a 3-foot clearance from mailboxes and vehicles.
Accepted Items
- ✓Standard household refuse
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Wrappers and film
Varies by hauler (commonly Blue or Green with a colored lid) Bin (Recycling)
Recyclables must be kept loose in the cart (never bagged), clean, and completely dry to prevent contaminating the batch at the Kent County processing facility.
Accepted Items
- ✓Corrugated cardboard
- ✓Paper and mail
- ✓Plastic bottles, jugs, and tubs (#1, #2, #5)
- ✓Glass jars and bottles
- ✓Metal cans
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic grocery bags
- ✕Styrofoam (EPS)
- ✕Tanglers (hoses, cords)
- ✕Batteries
- ✕Food-soiled paper
Yard Waste Bin
Typically requires a separate seasonal subscription. Must be placed in a dedicated yard waste cart provided by the hauler or in heavy-duty biodegradable kraft paper bags. No plastic bags.
Accepted Items
- ✓Grass clippings
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Small twigs and branches
- ✓Garden prunings
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Varies by contracted hauler
Placement
If scheduled with your hauler, place bulk items at the curb 3 feet away from your regular bins by 6:00 AM on your agreed-upon pickup day.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture
- ✓ Mattresses
- ✓ Box springs
- ✓ Non-freon appliances
- ✓ Large household junk
Not Accepted
- ✕ Hazardous waste
- ✕ Liquid paint
- ✕ Tires
- ✕ Freon items (unless properly tagged)
- ✕ Large construction debris
Haulers generally charge a per-item fee for curbside bulk pickup. The North Kent Waste Center charges fees based on the total weight or load size.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
Most private haulers operating in Plainfield Township follow the 'six major holidays' rule, shifting collection back by one day if the holiday falls on a weekday.
Yard Waste Exception
Yard waste collections follow the same holiday delay schedule but are entirely suspended during the winter months (typically December through March).
Because you contract privately, always verify exact holiday schedules and operational changes directly with your chosen service provider.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Bag Your Trash, Not Your Recycling
Never put your recyclables inside plastic grocery bags. The flexible plastic jams the high-speed sorting machinery at the Kent County Recycling & Education Center. Keep all items loose in your recycling cart.
Keep Out the Tanglers
Items like garden hoses, holiday string lights, and extension cords will severely damage recycling facility equipment. Instead of tossing them in the bin, bring old string lights directly to the North Kent drop-off center.
Clean and Dry is Key
A half-empty soda bottle or an unrinsed peanut butter jar can ruin an entire load of clean cardboard during transit. Give your food containers a quick rinse and shake off excess water before tossing them in.
Seasonal Information
Winter
December to MarchHeavy lake-effect snow can cause temporary route delays. Ensure your carts are placed at the end of your driveway, completely cleared of snowdrifts, and not blocking township snowplows.
Spring
AprilYard waste collection subscriptions typically resume in early April. Remember that local burn ordinances prohibit burning yard debris in high-density residential zones, making proper curbside disposal essential.
Fall
October to NovemberDuring peak leaf-falling season, use biodegradable paper bags if your hauler requires them. Never rake leaves directly into the street, as this clogs Plainfield Charter Township storm drains.
About Plainfield Charter Township Waste Management
Open-Market Trash Collection in Plainfield Charter Township
Unlike municipalities that contract a single waste management company for all residents, Plainfield Charter Township operates on an open-market system. This means homeowners are responsible for independently selecting and hiring a state-licensed private hauler to manage their curbside trash and recycling. Popular operators servicing the Belmont, Comstock Park, and Rockford areas include WM, Republic Services, and local companies like Arrowaste. Collection days, rates, and cart sizes will depend entirely on the terms you negotiate with your chosen provider.
Proximity to the North Kent Recycling & Waste Center
One major advantage for Plainfield Township residents is the immediate proximity of the North Kent Recycling & Waste Center, operated by the Kent County Department of Public Works. Located conveniently on 10 Mile Road in Rockford, this facility allows residents to bypass standard hauler restrictions. If you miss your scheduled collection day or generate excess refuse during a home renovation, you can haul your bagged trash, bulk items, or large cardboard directly to the center for a weight-based fee.
Kent County's SafeChem and E-Waste Initiatives
Keeping toxic materials out of West Michigan's watersheds, including the nearby Rogue River and Grand River, is a critical local priority. While private haulers strictly prohibit hazardous materials and electronics in curbside carts, Plainfield residents have access to the SafeChem program at the North Kent facility. This allows for the safe drop-off of household hazardous waste like old oil-based paints, automotive fluids, pesticides, and broken electronics, ensuring they are diverted from local landfills.
Navigating Yard Waste and Local Burn Ordinances
Managing seasonal yard debris in heavily wooded West Michigan requires planning. While Plainfield Township has specific ordinances that restrict open burning in densely populated residential zones, most private haulers offer seasonal yard waste subscriptions spanning from April through November. Residents who prefer not to subscribe can transport brush, branches, and grass clippings directly to private local compost facilities or utilize seasonal drop-off events hosted within Kent County.
Winter Weather and Collection Delays
The harsh, lake-effect winters characteristic of the Grand Rapids metropolitan area frequently impact municipal services. During severe snowstorms, local waste haulers may delay routes to ensure driver safety and accommodate township snowplows. Residents are urged to place their bins on a cleared area of the driveway apron rather than in the street, ensuring they don't obstruct snow removal equipment or become buried by plows overnight.
Drop-off Facilities
North Kent Recycling & Waste Center (Kent County DPW)
2908 Ten Mile Road, Rockford, MI 49341
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I set up trash service in Plainfield Charter Township?
Plainfield operates on an open-market system, meaning the township does not provide municipal solid waste collection. You must independently contact and hire a state-licensed waste hauler (such as WM, Arrowaste, or Republic Services) to set up curbside pickup for your home.
Where can I dispose of household hazardous waste like paint and batteries?
Hazardous materials cannot go in your curbside bins. Fortunately, Plainfield residents can drop them off safely at the North Kent Recycling & Waste Center on 10 Mile Road using Kent County's SafeChem program.
Can I drop off extra trash or bulk items if I don't want to pay my hauler?
Yes, residents can bring excess trash, old furniture, or DIY remodeling debris directly to the North Kent Recycling & Waste Center. Be aware that disposal fees, calculated by volume or weight, will apply upon entry.
What are the rules for recycling Styrofoam in Plainfield?
Styrofoam (EPS) is strictly prohibited in your curbside recycling carts regardless of which hauler you use. However, you can bring clean EPS foam packaging directly to the designated drop-off station at the North Kent facility for proper recycling.