Emmet County Recycling Guide

Your day-to-day recyclables are collected in two simple categories, as shown in the boxes below. But you can also recycle many less common items, so keep scrolling all the way to “Wood!”

Antifreeze

Antifreeze only

Where
Antifreeze is accepted at the Drop-off Center in the Hazardous Materials Recycling area. For the location and hours of the Center got to our "Where to Drop Off Recyclables" page.

Asphalt Shingles

Asphalt Shingles Includes

  • Asphalt shingles
  • Tar Paper
  • Felt
  • Nails OK

But NO

  • Cedar Shake, Roll or Tile Shingles
  • Treated or finished wood
  • Plywood
  • Food Wrappers or bottles or residential garbage from the site
  • Glue or Sealant buckets
  • Hazardous materials

Details 

  • $10/cubic yard fee
  • $22/cubic yard for disposal if load is co-mingled or contaminated
  • Have your load checked by the Attendant before unloading

Where 
Asphalt shingles are accepted at the Drop-off Center in the Bulky Materials Recycling area.

Batteries

Battery Recycle Includes

  • Automobile Batteries
  • Household Batteries (including rechargeable) 
  • Other Batteries

But NO 
We've never come across a battery we can't recycle, but call ahead (348-0640) if you have something very unusual.

Where 
Batteries - both household and vehicle types - are accepted at the Drop-off Center in the Hazardous Materials Recycling area.

Household batteries can also be dropped off during business hours at the following retailers:

  • in Alanson at W.W. Fairbairn & Sons
  • in Harbor Springs at Meyer Ace Hardware and Preston Feather Building Center,
  • in Pellston at Cook's Hardware, and
  • in Petoskey at Meyer Ace Hardware and Radio Shack.

All kinds of household batteries are collected together in the same bucket or barrel.

Cans, Foil, and Foil Trays

Cans, Foil, and Foil Trays Includes

Steel/Tin Cans
Aluminum Cans
PLUS
Aluminum Foil
Foil Trays
Metal lids
All accepted together in the same drop-site bin. 

But NO 
No aerosol cans
No gas cylinders (propane, helium, oxygen, etc)
No paint cans
No propane tanks
No scrap metal
No wire hangers

Details

  • Please rinse items
  • Foil doesn't have to be perfectly clean, but shouldn't have pieces of food remaining on it.
  • Remove labels
  • Flatten as much as possible

Where 

NEW SIMPLE SORT: Metal Cans, Foil and Trays go in the Containers category.

Accepted curbside or at ANY Emmet County Recycling Drop Sites in the Containers group.

Cardboard Plus

Cardboard Plus Includes

  • Corrugated cardboard
    PLUS
  • Boxboard (for example cereal boxes, the tubes from rolls of paper towels, and boxes medicines come in).
  • Brown Paper Bags
  • All accepted together in the same drop-site bin.
  • NEW! Cardboard frozen and refrigerated food boxes

But NO

  • No construction paper
  • No padded envelopes
  • No plastic bags Recycle them with Plastic Grocery and Bread Bags. See section below
  • No Styrofoam

Details

  • Flatten the boxes
  • Remove plastic bags, Styrofoam and other packing materials
  • It works well to stuff smaller boxboard into larger boxes (for example into a large cereal box) then recycle the whole thing when it's full.
  • Both gray and white boxboard are okay.
  • Glossy printing on the boxes is not a problem.
  • You don't have to remove tape or staples.

Where
NEW SIMPLE SORT: Small Cardboard, Boxboard and Brown Paper Bags, go in the Paper, Boxes and Bags category.

Curbside Notes:

Our curbside trucks are designed to collect day-to-day quantities of cardboard from households--roughly a grocery bag full per home per week. Please observe the following limits:

  • Size: To be accepted curbside, cardboard must be small enough to fit entirely in a brown paper grocery bag. Larger boxes are accepted at the drop sites listed below and at the Drop-off Center*.
  • Quantity: Businesses and institutions which regularly generate larger quantities of cardboard can recycle it either at the drop-sites listed below, at the Drop-off Center*, or by setting up collection service through any of the waste haulers serving Emmet County (specify separate collection for recycling). Call (231) 348-0640 for our brochure on cardboard recycling for businesses)

Cardboard is accepted at all Emmet County Recycling Drop-Sites.

Small cardboard (small enough to fit in a brown paper bag) can go in the Containers bin. Otherwise please use the Large Cardboard bin.

*You can avoid the difficulty of loading very large cardboard into drop-site bins by taking it to the Drop-off Center. Ask the attendant to point out the cardboard tipping area.

 

Clothing and Textiles

Clothing and Textiles Includes

  • Clothing
  • Bedding
  • Accepted together in the same bin.

But NO
No fabric scraps
No insulated coats
No rags

Details 

  • Clothing and bedding should be clean, dry, and in plastic bags.
  • Please do not remove buttons or zippers.

Where 
Bins for recycling Clothing and Textiles are located a the County Drop-off Center

Electronics (also see Appliances, Small)

Electronics Includes

  • Computers
  • Computer peripherals (monitors, printers, key boards, mice, etc.)
  • Telephones and their accessories (fax machines, answering machines, etc.)
  • TVs and their accessories (VCR's, DVD players, video games consoles, etc.)
  • Copiers
  • Small items and loose parts can be collected in a box together.

But NO 
Small appliances with minor electronic components (for example coffee makers). See Appliances, Small

Details 

There are fees to recycle electronics, except cell phones.
 
$2 each is the minimum charge. It covers small items without a screen including
  • Computers and their accessories (for example CPUs, printers, desktop printer/copiers, scanners, battery back ups)
  • TV accessories (VCRs, DVD players, video game consoles, etc.)
  • Telephone accessories: fax machines, and the like
  • A copy-paper box full of miscellaneous very small electronics, for example telephones, mice, keyboards, cables, card readers, external drives, modems, and video game controllers
$5 each for laptop computers, computer monitors, and TVs up to 17”
 
$10 each for 18-27” TVs and items of a similar size
 
$15 each for 28-42” TVs and items of a similar size
 
$20 each for TVs 42” and over, floor-stand copiers, and items of a similar size
 
FREE Cell phones

Where 
Electronics are accepted at the Drop-off Center in the Hazardous Materials Recycling area.
 

Fluorescent Light Bulbs

Fluorescent Light Bulb Recycling Includes

Fluorescent Light Bulbs (technically called "lamps") only

But NO

  • Halogen light bulbs
  • Incandescent light bulbs (the ordinary household kind)

Details

  • Fluorescent light bulbs are accepted for recycling because they contain mercury (a very potent neurotoxin and environmental pollutant).
  • Avoid breaking the bulbs. The mercury inside the tube can escape when the bulb is broken.
  • Businesses will be charged to recycle bulbs. Call 348-0640 for rates and packing information.

Where
Fluorescent bulbs are accepted at the Drop-off Center in the Hazardous Materials Recycling area.

Glass Bottles and Jars

Glass Bottles and Jars Includes

  • Blue glass bottles and jars
  • Brown glass bottles and jars
  • Clear glass bottles and jars
  • Green glass bottles and jars
  • Red glass bottles and jars

NOW! Accepted in the Containers group both curbside and at all Emmet County Recycling Drop-off Sites.

But NO

  • No drinking glasses
  • No glass dishes
  • No glass pots or pans
  • No light bulbs (Fluorescent Light Bulbs are recyclable but not with glass)
  • No window glass

Details

  • Please rinse them
  • Sort by color
  • Blue glass can be recycled with green

Where
NEW SIMPLE SORT: Glass Bottles and Jars go in the Containers category.

Accepted curbside or at ANY Emmet County Recycling Drop Site (click for locations and hours of our 12 Drop Sites) in the Containers group.

Juice Boxes, Milk Cartons, and Paper Cups

Juice Boxes, Milk Cartons, and Paper Cups Includes

  • Aspetic beverage cartons: for example juices boxes, soup, and broth boxes, Milk-type cartons. Some juice also comes packaged in these Paper ice cream cartons.

NOW! Accepted in the Containers group both curbside and at all Emmet County Recycling Drop-off Sites.

But NO

  • Juice pouches
  • Styrofoam

Details

  • Please rinse and flatten

Where

NEW SIMPLE SORT: Cartons go in the Containers category

Accepted curbside or at ANY Emmet County Recycling Drop Site (click for locations and hours of our 12 Drop sites) in the Containers group.

 

Large Appliances

Large Appliances Includes

Metal appliances, for example stoves, water heaters, washers, and refrigerators

But NO
Largely plastic items

Details 

  • Have your load checked by the Attendant before unloading.
  • There is a $5 per item handling fee for large appliances (for example stoves, washers refrigerators, water heaters)
  • Refrigerators and freezers must have the refrigerant ("freon") removed by a licensed individual. We can provide this service for an additional $25. See the Scrap Metal section if you have an air conditioner or dehumidifier to recycle.

Where 
Large appliances are accepted at the Drop-off Center in the Bulky Materials Recycling area.

Motor Oil Plus

Motor Oil Plus Includes

  • Motor Oil
    PLUS
  • Automatic Transmission Fluid
  • Diesel Fuel
  • Fuel Oil
  • Hydraulic Fluid
  • Lube Oils
  • All collected together in one tank.

But NO

  • No antifreeze (see Antifreeze category)
  • No gasoline
  • No water

Details 
We store motor oil in a tank so you can take your container home to use again.

Where 
Motor oil is accepted at the Drop-off Center in the Hazardous Materials Recycling area.

Newspaper Plus

Newspaper Plus Includes

  • Newspapers 
    PLUS
  • Magazines and Catalogs
  • Books, and
  • Phone Books
    Accepted in the Paper, Boxes and Bags category

But NO

  • No newspapers which have gotten wet
  • No wrapping paper
  • No yellowed newspapers 

Details 

  • If you have more than a dozen books, please bring them to the Recycling Center and give them to the attendant at the Transfer Station Drive Through.

Where 
NEW SIMPLE SORT: Newspapers, Magazines, and Books go in the Paper, Boxes and Bags category 

Accepted curbside or at ANY Emmet County Recycling Drop Site (click for locations and hours of our 12 Drop Sites)

Office Paper Plus

Office Paper Plus Includes

  • Office Paper (copier, computer printer, letterhead)
  • PLUS
  • Junk Mail
  • Envelopes
  • File Folders
    All accepted together in the same drop-site bin.

But NO

  • No boldly colored office paper (for example red, hot pink, bright yellow, and neon colors).
  • No greeting/holiday/birthday cards
  • No kraft envelopes (sometimes mistakenly called "manila" envelopes; they're a golden-brown color)
  • No padded envelopes
  • No wrapping paper

Details

  • Pale/pastel-colored office paper is okay to recycle.
  • If junk mail feels like it has a CD, credit card, or other non-paper items in the envelope, please open it and remove these before recycling it.
  • Envelopes with plastic windows are okay: there's no need to remove the plastic.
  • There's no need to remove the following: mailing labels, paper clips, staples, stickers, sticky notes, tape.

Where
NEW SIMPLE SORT: Office Paper, Envelopes and File Folders go in the Paper, Boxes and Bags cateroy

Office Paper is accepted curbside and at all Emmet County Recycling Drop Sites in the Paper, Boxes and Bags category.

Plastic Bottles, Jugs, and Jars NOW ALL NUMBERS!!

Plastic Bottles, Jugs, and Jars Includes

  • NOW!  All plastic bottles, jugs and jars!

But NO

  • No biodegradable or corn-based plastics

Details

  • Put the lids in the garbage
  • Rinse and flatten 
  • There's no need to remove labels

Where

NEW SIMPLE SORT: Plastic Bottles, Jugs and Jars go in the Containers category

Accepted curbside or at ANY Emmet County Recycling Drop Site in the Containers group

 

Plastic Grocery and Bread Bags

Plastic Grocery and Bread Bags Include

  • Grocery Bags
  • Bread Bags
  • Stretchy plastic bags
  • Bundling wrap, for example that used to bundle rolls of toilet paper and cases of water bottles
  • Food Storage Bags

NOW! Accepted in the Paper, Boxes and Bags group both curbside and at all Emmet County Recycling Drop-off Sites

But NO

  • Cereal Box Liners
  • Cling Wrap (like Saran Wrap and that used to)
  • Potato Chip-type bags (crunchier, rips before stretching, metallic lining)
  • No biodegradable or corn-based plastics

Details
Bags must be:

  • Clean
  • Dry
  • Bagged up into one bag and tied closed
  Bag_tied_shut.jpg Bags_into_bag.jpg

Where

NEW SIMPLE SORT: Plastic Bags go in the Paper, Boxes and Bags category

Accepted curbside or at ANY Emmet County Recycling Drop Site (click for locations and hours of our 12 Drop Sites) in the Paper, Boxes and Bags group

 

Plastic Tubs, Trays and Cups

Plastic Tubs, Trays and Cups Include

  • Clamshells: for example from berries or carry-out salads
  • Cups
  • Tubs: think yogurt, cottage cheese, margarine, and food storage containers
  • Trays: like frozen meals come in and small deli trays. Also cookie trays and the like

NOW! Accepted in the Containers group both curbside and at all Emmet County Recycling Drop-off Sites

But NO

  • NO STYROFOAM
  • Large catering size tray
  • No biodegradable or corn-based plastics
  • Buckets, toys, furniture, etc.

Details

  • Please rinse and flatten as much as possible

Where

NEW SIMPLE SORT: Plastic Tubs, Trays and Cups go in the Containers category

Accepted curbside or at ANY Emmet County Recycling Drop Site (click for locations and hours of our 12 Drop Sites) in the Containers group

 

Rubble

Rubble Includes

  • Asphalt
  • Bricks
  • Ceramic dishware, tile planters
  • Cinderblocks
  • Clay Bricks
  • Concrete
  • Concrete Block
  • Fireplace brick
  • Glass blocks
  • Granite
  • Limestone tile
  • Marble
  • Masonry debris
  • Mortar material
  • Porcelain sinks, tubs and toilets
  • Rocks
  • Slate
  • Stones
  • Terracotta planters and pots
  • Accepted together in the same bin.

But NO

  • Asbestos
  • Drywall
  • Durarock
  • Fiber-rock
  • Hardibacker
  • Rubble painted with lead paint
  • Sheetrock
  • Wood
  • Window pane glass

Details

  • $10/cubic yard fee
  • Have your load checked by the Attendant before unloading.
  • Rebar and wire mesh are okay.

Where
Rubble is accepted at the Drop-off Center in the Bulky Materials Recycling area.

Scrap Metal

Scrap Metal Includes

  • All kinds of stuff made from metal, for example shelving, grills, lawnmowers, pipes, hangers, ducts, tins, bikes, radiators, lawn furniture.
  • Aluminum
  • Brass
  • Cast Iron
  • Copper
  • Steel
  • Other metals
    Accepted together in the same bin.

But NO

  • No vehicle gas tanks
  • Hazardous metals. If you have lead or mercury call 231-348-0660 for information on recycling or disposing of these.

Details

  • Please drain any fluids from items before dropping them off for recycling (for example gas and oil from a lawn mower). To dispose of the fluids contact our Household Chemical Drop-off program at 231-348-0660.
  • To recycle an air conditioner or dehumidifier, the refrigerant must first be removed by a licensed individual. We can provide this service for $25. (For refrigerators and freezers see the Large Appliances section.
  • Have your load checked by the Transfer Station Attendant before unloading.

Where 
Scrap Metal is accepted at the Drop-Off Center in the Bulky Materials Recycling area.

Shoes and Work Boots

Shoes and Work Boots Includes

  • Shoes
  • Hiking Boots
  • Light Boots
  • Work Boots
    Accepted together in the same cart.

But NO

  • No clogs
  • No high heels (over two inches)
  • No jelly shoes
  • No skates (iced, in-line, or roller)
  • No ski boots
  • No slippers
  • No water shoes
  • No winter boots

Details

  • It's okay if they're just in fair condition.
  • Keep each pair together with a rubber band.

Where 
Bins for recycling Shoes and Work Boots are located at the Drop-off Center

Small Appliances (also see Electronics)

Small Appliances (also see Electronics)

Includes
Small appliances primarily made of METAL. These go in the Scrap Metal bin at the Drop-off Center.
Small appliances primarily made of PLASTIC. These are collected in the Electronics Shed at the Drop-off Center.

But NO
Please throw away replaceable, removable parts not made of plastic or metal, for example vacuum cleaner bags, vaporizer wicks, coffee-maker carafes, and microwaves turntables.

Details 

  • Televisions, computers, telephones and all the accessories that attach to them (DVD players, video games, printers, monitors, fax machines, etc.) contain more hazardous materials and are recycled separately. See "Electronics" section of this page.

  • There is NO CHARGE to recycle small appliances, except...
    • Air conditioners, dehumidifiers and small refrigerators and freezers contain refrigerant. The refrigerant (often called "freon") must be removed by a licensed individual. We can provide this service for $25.

Where
At the Drop-off Center Only

Tires

Tires Includes

Car, truck, SUV, semi, and tractor tires, accepted together in the same container.

But NO

  • Airplane tires
  • Skid-steer tires

Details

  • Most tires $2.50 each fee.
  • Semi tires $7.00 each.
  • Ask attendant about larger tires.
  • Have your load checked by the Attendant before unloading.

Tires
Tires are accepted at the Drop-off Center in the Bulky Materials Recycling area.

Wood

Wood Includes

  • Scrap Lumber
  • Pallets
  • Accepted together in the same bin.

But NO

  • Treated Wood
  • Plywood
  • Particle Board
  • Painted Wood
  • Finished Wood (stain, varnish, shellac, deck stain, etc.)

Details

  • $10/cubic yard fee
  • Nails are okay.

Where 
Wood is accepted at the Drop-off Center in the Bulky Materials Recycling area.