The Van Buren Conservation District (VBCD) contracts with Van Buren County to run the Resource Recovery and Recycling Program! The program includes events and services for hard-to-recycle items.
We also provide recycling education, local resources, and county planning. Program funding comes from the VBCD Operations Millage, Van Buren County, local municipalities, and various grants.
You might know “commingled recycling” as “mixed recycling.” Sometimes, it’s even called “single stream recycling.”
Commingled recycling is when all your recycling materials are mixed together in the same container.
This type of recycling is the most popular type. It is also what curbside bins and most of the drop-off recycling in Van Buren County are.
Commingled Recycling Accepts:
Learn more about the projects happening at the transfer stations by clicking here.
Antwerp Township Waste & Recycling Center
Access
Open to public: waste disposal, tire recyclingAntwerp Township residents only: recycling & yard waste
Hours
Tuesdays (summer months only)Saturdays 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
AcceptsRecycling
Waste
Tire drop-off location
Yard Waste
Cost*
Recycling: free
Waste disposal: fees by charge
*Pay onsite with cash or check, recycling keyfob available to residents at Antwerp Township Hall
Arlington Township Waste & Recycling Center
Open to public: waste disposal, tire recyclingArlington Township residents only: recycling
Address
Saturdays 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
AcceptsScrap Metal
Cost*
Bangor Township Waste & Recycling Center
Open to public: tire recyclingBangor Township residents only: recycling & Waste
1st and 3rd Saturday 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Accepts
Cost*
Bloomingdale Township Waste & Recycling Center
Open to public: tire recyclingBloomingdale Township residents only: recycling & Waste
Tuesday – 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM (April 1 – October 31)Saturday – 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM (year-round)
Accepts
Cost*
Contact Information
Columbia Township Transfer Station
Open to public: tire recyclingColumbia Township residents only: recycling & Waste
1st Sunday of the month – 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Each Saturday following the first weekend of the month – 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Accepts
Cost*
Contact Information269-434-6227
Open to public: tire recyclingCovert Township residents only: recycling & Waste
Saturdays – 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM(Closed Holidays)
Accepts
Cost*
Contact Information269-764-8986
Open to public: tire recycling & waste disposalDecatur & Hamilton Townships and Village of Decatur residents only: recycling
Tuesdays 10 AM – 1 PMSaturdays 10 AM – 2 PM
Accepts
Cost*
Contact Information269-423-6114
Open to public: tire recyclingKeeler Township Only: Waste
Saturdays – 8:30 AM to 12:30 PM(April – October)
Accepts
Cost*
Contact Information269-621-6481
Paw Paw Township Waste & Recycling Center
Open to public: commingled recycling, scrap metal recycling,tire recycling & waste disposalPaw Paw Township Residents only: Yard Waste
Tuesdays – 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Fridays – 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM (April-September)
Saturdays – 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Accepts
Cost*
Contact Information269-657-4101 PawPawTownshipMI.gov/Transfer-Station/
Open to public
Wednesdays – 1:00 PM to 6:00 PM (March 2 – October 31)
Saturdays – 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Accepts
Cost*
Contact Information269-628-4380 PineGroveTownshipMI.gov/recycling-waste
Open to public
Saturdays 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Tuesdays 8 AM to 2 PM (Summer Hours)
Accepts
Cost*
Contact Information269-427-7607 VanBurenCountyMI.gov/358/Transfer-Station
Private business, open to the public
Hours: Monday through Friday – 7:00 AM to 4:30 PM, Saturdays – 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Accepts: cut tires, waste, recycling, construction materials, appliances, & yard waste
Address: 3290 Hennessey Rd, Watervliet
Phone: 269-463-5588
Website: myorchardhill.com
A recycling drop-off program is a community-based
initiative that allows community members to drop off
recyclable materials at designated collection sites.
This is a great way to recycle when curbside pickup is
unavailable.
Yes, our drop-off locations have set hours of operation
or accessibility. Check our webpage for their schedule to
ensure you drop off your recyclables at the right time.
Above is a list of what can be dropped off.
All containers should be empty and dry and free of all
food and food residue. Unclean containers and food can
cause odors and attract pests. Replace caps on empty
plastic containers.
Each site varies.
No, our drop-off sites collect material in single-stream
containers, so all recycling is mixed together. No
sorting needed.
No. Avoid placing recyclables in plastic bags into
drop-off containers. Plastic bags can create safety,
mechanical and quality issues at recycling facilities.
Instead, use reusable bins to store and bring your
recyclables to the drop-off location. If you must use
bags to transport your recycling to the drop-off, make
sure to empty those bags into the recycling collection
containers and take the bags with you. All recycling
should be loose in the bin.
No, it’s best to avoid dropping off heavily soiled with
food or grease, or containers still full of food, as they
can contaminate the recycling stream, and can attract
pests, insects, and rodents.
No, leave labels and caps on bottles and containers.
No. Plastic bags and wrap cause equipment jams at the
recycling processing facility. Your household plastic film
—like grocery bags, drink case wrapping, cling wrap,
and bubble wrap—can be dropped off at almost any
large retail or grocery store for recycling. Most people
save up their clean and dry plastic film and take it to
the grocery store every few months.
Yes, shredded paper is allowed in the recycling container. Please do not bag the recycling, dump into the container.
No, the recycling drop-off program is designed for residential use only, both from single-family and multifamily residents.
The materials you drop off are taken to Recycle Works
in Elkhart, Indiana where they are sorted and processed
for recycling. They are then turned into new products
or materials, reducing the need for new resources and
creating a circular economy.
To stay informed about any program changes, such as
new locations or guidelines, sign up for notifications
at the bottom of the page or social media channels facebook.com/VanBurenCD.
You can also visit our website frequently or contact us
directly for information updates at 269-633-9314.
Light bulbs and batteries are considered hazardous
waste and should not be placed in regular recycling.
You can drop these off for safe and proper disposal
at Van Buren Recycle Roundup Events. For more
information, call 269-633-9314 or visit us online at VanBurenCD.org/van-buren-county-recycling-
collections/.
We accept electronics at our recycling drop-off
sites in South Haven and Paw Paw. Please call us
for a full list of acceptable electronics or visit our
webpage VanBurenCD.org/recycling-guides for more
information. Additionally, we host several electronics
recycling events annually. Electronics recycling event
dates will be posted on our website.
Yes, items like medical waste, hazardous chemicals, and sharp objects are not accepted at our recycling drop- off. These items require specialized disposal methods.
Visit our website VanBurenCD.org/recycling or contact us directly at 269-633-9314 for more information.
Putting non-recyclable items in recycling can disrupt the recycling process and cause safety, labor, and cost issues. Pay attention to signage in the drop-off location to know what can and cannot be recycled in that location.
To find out more about recycling in Michigan, click on the “Recycle, MI” logo below!
Materials Managment Planning with Southwest Michigan Planning Comission
2022 Materials Management Community Engagement Grant Report
