Is recycling available at my home?
There are many recycling opportunities available in Barry County including curbside pickup and recycling drop-off centers. Additionally, there are numerous PaperGator bins located around the county.
Use the Recycling Map to see what is available at your home or visit the Residential Services page.
*Note: Curbside recycling may not be available in the entire township
What can I recycle?
Household recyclables generally include clean and dry;
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- paper - mail, office paper, magazines, and newspaper
- flattened cardboard, paperboard, and cartons
- plastic bottles, tubs, and jugs
- glass bottles and jars
- metal cans and aluminum foil
*Check with your hauler or drop-off center to confirm accepted items. Visit the Resources page to find Barry County hauler-specific recycling guides.
Use the Barry County Recycling and Disposal Guide to find opportunities to recycle, reuse, refill, or repair items and information on safely disposing of potentially hazardous materials, chemicals, and unwanted medications.
Why should I recycle?
It Reduces Waste - The average American discards 4.5 pounds of garbage every day. Most of this garbage ends up in landfills, where it's compacted and buried. It Reduces the Use of Landfill Space - Recycling means we use less landfill space, preventing the need to expand existing landfills or create new ones.
It's Good for Our Economy - American manufacturing companies rely on recycling programs to provide the raw materials they need to make new products. Michigan’s recycling and reuse industry is made up of an estimated 2,242 establishments.
It Creates New Demand - Recycling and buying recycled products creates demand for more recycled products; decreasing waste, saving natural resources and helping our economy.
It Creates Jobs - Recycling in the U.S. employs over 757,000 people, provides $36.6 billion in wages and $6.7 billion in tax revenues. Michigan’s recycling industry provides jobs for 61,000 Michiganders.
It Saves Energy - Recycling offers significant energy savings over manufacturing with raw materials. For example, manufacturing with recycled aluminum cans uses 95% less energy.
It's Good for The Environment - Providing the raw materials (recyclables) to manufacturers requires far less energy and uses fewer natural resources (virgin materials). Natural resources take thousands of years to replenish if they can be replenished at all.
It Helps Prevent Global Warming - In 2014, over 89 million tons of municipal solid waste (food, plants, glass, boxes, cans, batteries, electronics, plastics, etc.) were recycled or composted in the United States, saving over 322,000 GWh of energy – enough to provide electricity to 30 million homes.
It Reduces Water Pollution - Making goods from recycled materials generates far less water pollution than manufacturing from virgin materials.
It Protects Wildlife - Using recycled materials reduces the need to damage forests, wetlands, rivers and other places essential to wildlife.
Michigan Recycling Coalition, Environmental Protection Agency, National Recycling Coalition
Why can't I recycle at a drop-off in a neighboring township or village?
Residents of each local unit of government pay for the recycle program, therefore please use only the recycle program in your township/village/city. If your local unit of government does not offer a program for recycling, voice your interest to one of your government officials.
What is considered hazardous waste and how do I properly dispose of household chemicals, pesticides, sharps and/or medications?
Household hazardous waste (HHW) are any product that has one or more of the following properties: toxic, flammable, corrosive, or reactive and should never be disposed of in a landfill or incinerator. These may include items such as cleaners, oil-based paint, batteries, fluorescent light bulbs, and pesticides. HHW is harmful to people, animals, and the environment if not disposed of properly.
Barry County holds two Household Hazardous Waste and scrap tire collection events each year in spring and fall at the Barry County Expo Center.
Learn more about proper disposal of:
How can I handle yard waste and food waste?
Composting is a great way to put your yard waste and food waste to good use.
Composting is the natural recycling of food and yard waste to create fertilizer. Compost can completely replace store-bought fertilizer and be used to improve soil structure and water retention, increase long-term soil fertility, and support plant growth and health. Yard waste and food waste can be composted at home or at a commercial facility. Learn more here
City residents can bring yard waste to the City of Hastings compost facility for free at 303 W. State Road. Learn more here.
Outside of the county, visit reimaginetrash.org/material/yard-waste/
Where can I recycle polystyrene (foam) products?
Polystyrene, plastic #6, is not accepted in most curbside or drop-off facilities.
In Barry County:
Sunshine Pack and Ship
1351 N M-43 Hwy, Hastings, Michigan 49058
269-948-9610
hastings.sunshinepackandship.com/
Items Accepted: foam packing peanuts
Outside Barry County:
Atlas EPS
8240 Byron Center Ave., Byron Center
616-878-1568
dartcontainer.com/sustainability/foam-recycling-centers
Items Accepted: used polystyrene foam including ice chests; protective packaging foam; and clean, white, food-grade foam
BIZ AID LLC
90 Darling Drive. Coldwater
517-227-4901
bizaidllc.com
Charlotte Area Recycling Authority (CARA)
201 Hall Street, Charlotte
517-213-1266
charlottemi.org/recycling
Items Accepted: packing foam, coolers, egg cartons, cups, plates, bowls, and packing peanuts (packing peanuts must be separated)
Marshall Recycling Center
13300 15 Mile Rd., Marshall
269-969-6395
calhouncountymi.gov
Items Accepted: Must be clean and dry, no peanuts or construction material
AFT PakMail
866-905-9166
Multiple locations throughout West Michigan
pakmail.com/store-locator
Items Accepted: clean, square foam blocks or sheets, packing peanuts, and bubble wrap
Mail-In:
Sealed Air
855-773-2533
Items Accepted: bubble wrap, air pillow packaging, Instapak foam packaging, and polyethylene foam packaging
Visit www.homeforfoam.com/recycling to find more locations
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