Guides
Van Buren County Recycling Guide
A convenient listing of waste reduction and recycling opportunities along with tips on safer disposal alternatives for potentially hazardous waste. Download the printable Recycling Guide here or come into the district office or your township/village/city office to get your copy!
Everyday Sustainability Living by the Nature Conservancy
A list of 7 simple steps you can take to help take care of our natural resources.
The Ultimate Guide to Cheap Green Living
A helpful listing of inexpensive ways to take care of our shared natural resources along with some reasons to make these changes along with some information on larger investments in green living.
Special Recycling Collections
Household Chemical Waste, Passenger Tire, Paint, Confidential Document, & More Collections for VBC Residents:
Collections are free to all Van Buren residents. To show you’re a Van Buren resident and therefore eligible for free drop-off, please bring your ID or tax bill with a Van Buren address to collections.
- Saturday, May 4, 2019 | 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM | Almena Township Hall, 27625 CR 375, Paw Paw
- What Will Be Collected: passenger tires
- Saturday, June 15, 2019 | 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM | VBC Human Services Building, 801 Hazen Street, Paw Paw
- What Will Be Collected: passenger tires, household chemical waste, paint, and confidential documents for destruction
- Saturday, August 3, 2019 | 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM | Arlington Township Transfer Station, Corner of 52nd Street and 26th Avenue in Bangor (Tire-only collection)
- What Will Be Collected: passenger tires
- Saturday, September 21, 2019 | 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM | South Haven Public Works Building, 1199 8th Avenue, South Haven
- What Will Be Collected: passenger tires, household chemical waste, and paint
Important to Keep In Mind
- Bring a valid ID to show you are a Van Buren County resident and therefore eligible for the free services.
- Only 10 tires per resident address will be accepted per collection.
- To bring tires to collection events, you MUST call the office (269-657-4030×5) before the day of the event to RSVP the tires.
- Tire RSVP lists fill up fast, so call to RSVP your tires today! The RSVP list will be checked at the event to verify we have space for your tires.
- Call the office with any questions about what forms of household chemical waste will be accepted.
- Clean motor oil will NOT be accepted at collection events; see “Oil” in A-Z categories below for year-round disposal opportunities.
Free Dump Days:
- Check with your Village, City, or Township to see if and when they host free dump days. Oftentimes, these dump days will also include recycling opportunities.
How to Reuse, Recycle, and Dispose of Your Refuse
Reuse – repurpose products for new uses or donate products for further use by others
Recycle – collect and process materials to turn them into new products
Refuse – municipal solid waste (household garbage)
Use the links below to learn where to reuse, recycle, and dispose of various items.
Items A – H
Items I – Q
Items R – Z
Where to Reuse, Recycle, and Dispose of Your Refuse
Compost
Curbside Recycling & Garbage Disposal
Food Pantries
Landfills
Roll-off Dumpsters
Thrift Shops & Consignment Stores
Transfer Stations (Recycling & Garbage Disposal)
Additional Recycling Information
The DEQ has put together an easy-to-use Household Drug Take Back Map to help you find locations to dispose of your medications. You can access the map here.
Properly disposing of your medications protects human, animal, and environmental health. Flushing medications down the drain leads to trace amounts of drugs being found in our water.
Did you know the DEQ has two recycling directories aimed at connecting everyone with useful recycling opportunities near them?
One directory is geared towards residents, and the other directory is geared towards businesses.
If you’re a resident, check out the Michigan Recycling Directory by clicking on the banner!
If you’re a business, check out the Recycled Materials Market Directory by clicking on the banner!
The Michigan Recycling Coalition has a recycling directory that is searchable by materials, recyclers, and services. Click on the banner below to access it!
To find out more about recycling in Michigan, click on the “Recycle, MI” logo below!
