Recycling Guides

How to Use This Page

Check out information on reuse, recycling, and reducing your waste. Find recycling and disposal options by item and service type. Scroll down to find some sustainability guides and statewide directories.

Open the Recycling Guide below for complete, detailed information on recycling guidelines, locations as well as benefits and tips.

Use the drop downs “What Do I Do With…” list of items to quickly find item-specific information.

The Recycling Guide (Updated 2023)

What do I do with......?

Acids & Bases

Recycle Roundup Collections for Van Buren County Residents and Landowners
- Available as One-Day Collections
- See Events page for dates, times, and locations

Aerosol Cans

Recycle Roundup Collections for Van Buren County Residents and Landowners
- Available as One-Day Collections
- See Events page for dates, times, and locations

American Flags

Recycle Roundup Collections for Van Buren County Residents and Landowners
- Available as One-Day Collections
- See Events page for dates, times, and locations
Hartford American Legion
- 66297 Red Arrow Hwy, Hartford
- 269-252-3589
- Flag Retirement Program following July 4th – Call for drop-off arrangements
Paw Paw American Legion
- 115 North Niles Street, Paw Paw
- 269-657-8345
- Drop box in front of hall
Lawrence American Legion
- 130 East St. Joseph Street, Lawrence
- 269-674-3445
- Drop box in front of hall

Ammunition, Firearms, & Weapons

Michigan State Police
- 43255 60th Avenue Paw Paw, MI
- 269-657-5551
- Call ahead to schedule drop-off first
Van Buren County Sheriff’s Department
- 205 S Kalamazoo Street Paw Paw, MI
- 269-657-2006
- Call ahead to schedule drop-off first

Anti-Freeze

❋ Ask your auto shop if it accepts anti-freeze, if that is more convenient than the locations below!

❋ Be sure to call ahead before dropping off antifreeze.

Recycle Roundup Collections for Van Buren County Residents and Landowners
- Available as One-Day Collections
- See Events page for dates, times, and locations
C Stoddard & Sons
- 3456 12 Street Wayland, MI
- 269-792-6591
- https://www.stoddardoil.com/
Heritage Crystal Clean (commercial and industrial quantities)
- 3721 Northridge Drive NW, Suite 100 Walker, MI
- 616-447-0013
- www.crystal-clean.com
Muffler Man
- 274 Broadway Street, South Haven, MI
- 269-637-1811
- Facebook
- Performance Plus Quick Lube

Appliances

Working

Habitat for Humanity Restore
- Portage
  - 7612 S Westnedge Avenue Portage, MI
  - 269-381-5523
  - https://habitatkalamazoo.org/restore/donate/
- South Haven
  - 02959 73rd St., South Haven
  - 269-227-1244
  - https://www.lakeshorehabitat.org/restore
- Benton Harbor
  - 2302 Plaza Drive Benton Harbor, MI
  - 269-927-0006
  - http://harborhabitat.org/
- Call to schedule drop-off or pick-up
Lakeshore Appliance
- 19883 Blue Star Highway South Haven, MI
- 269-637-8933
Major Appliance
- 10759 Stadium Drive Kalamazoo, MI
- 269-375-9500
- No charge, drop-off only

Not Working

Clarks Auto Parts & Salvage
- 56472 Red Arrow Highway Lawrence, MI
- 269-674-4905
- Facebook
Community Thrift Shop
- 1000 E Michigan Avenue Paw Paw, MI
- 269-657-4186
- communitythriftshopmi.com/recyclereurpose-with-us/
- Small Appliances
L & L Auto Parts and Salvage
- 59333 S Lagrave Street Paw Paw, MI
- 269-657-5933
- landlautorecycling.com/sell_to_us.html
Lakeshore Appliance
- 19883 Blue Star Highway South Haven, MI
- 269-637-8933
McPike Auto Salvage
- 25172 CR 665 Bloomingdale, MI
- 269-521-7673
Senior Services South Haven
- 8337 M-140 South Haven, MI
- 269-637-3607
- Tuesdays and Thursdays 9:30 AM – 12:00 PM
South Haven Recyclers
- 3110 67th Street South Haven, MI
- 269-637-4828

Asbestos

Orchard Hill Landfill
- 3290 Hennessey Rd., Watervliet
- 269-463-5588
- myorchardhill.com/
- Contact for instructions and fees
Westside Landfill
- 14094 M-60 West, Three Rivers
- 269-279-5444
- www.wmsolutions.com/
- Contact for instructions and fees
Contact your waste hauler for options
Access the Mesothelioma Justice Network’s website for information on the following:
- Asbestos abatement
- How to recycle asbestos
- Asbestos health risks
- Asbestos products
- Asbestos testing
- And much more
- asbestos.net/asbestos/recycling/
The Mesothelioma Center’s guide: asbestos.com/exposure/handling-disposing-asbestos/
DeLisle Associates
- 269-373-4500
- delisleassociatesltd.net/ih_asbestos.html
Access the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy’s website (linked below) for information on the following:
- What asbestos is
- How to protect yourself from asbestos
- How to limit your exposure to asbestos
- Asbestos removal contractors
- Licensing information for contractors
- Concern hotline
- michigan.gov/egle/0,9429,7-135-3310_70314_81014—,00.html
Lanier Law Firm
- www.lanierlawfirm.com/mesothelioma/asbestos-exposure/homeowners/

Automobiles

Clarks Auto Parts & Salvage
- 56472 Red Arrow Highway Lawrence, MI
- 269-674-4905
- Facebook
L & L Auto Parts and Salvage
- 59333 S Lagrave Street Paw Paw, MI
- 269-657-5933
- landlautorecycling.com/sell_to_us.html
McPike Auto Salvage
- 25172 CR 665 Bloomingdale, MI
- 269-521-7673
- Must present vehicle title
South Haven Recyclers
- 3110 67th Street South Haven, MI
- 269-637-4828
Vehicles for Veterans
- vehiclesforveterans.org/michigan/

Batteries

Household:

Recycle Roundup Collections for Van Buren County Residents and Landowners
- Available as One-Day Collections
- See Events page for dates, times, and locations
VBCD Drop off Program:
- Antwerp Sunshine Van Buren District Library
  - 24823 Front Ave, Mattawan
  - 269-668-2534
- Bangor Van Buren District Library
  - 420 Division St., Bangor
  - 269-427-8810
- Covert Van Buren District Library
  - 33680 M-140 Hwy, Covert
  - 269-764-1298
- Hartford Public Library
  - 15 S Franklin St., Hartford
  - 269-621-3408
- Lawrence Van Buren District Library
  - 212 N Paw Paw St., Lawrence
  - 269-674.3200
- Paw Paw Public Library
  - 609 W Michigan Ave, Paw Paw
  - 269-567-3800
- Webster Memorial Van Buren District Library
  - 200 N Phelps St., Decatur
  - 269-423-4771
- Van Buren Conservation District Office
  - 1035 E Michigan Ave Paw Paw
  - 269-657-4030 X5
- Senior Services of Van Buren County South Haven
  - 8337 M-140, South Haven
  - 269-637-3607

Automotive:

Advance Auto Parts
- 306 S Kalamazoo Street Paw Paw, MI
- 269-657-4357
Clarks Auto Parts & Salvage
- 56472 Red Arrow Highway Lawrence, MI
- 269-674-4905
- Facebook
L & L Auto Parts and Salvage
- 59333 S Lagrave Street Paw Paw, MI
- 269-657-5933
- landlautorecycling.com/sell_to_us.html
McPike Auto Salvage
- 25172 CR 665 Bloomingdale, MI
- 269-521-7673
South Haven Recyclers
- 3110 67th Street South Haven, MI
- 269-637-4828

Books

❋ Before donating, please ensure the books are in good condition because the libraries often use the donated books for book sales.

Antwerp Sunshine Library
- 24823 Front Avenue Mattawan, MI
- 269-668-2534
- vbdl.org/branch-locations/antwerp-sunshine-library/
Bailey Museum
- 903 S Bailey Avenue South Haven, MI
- 269-637-3251
- libertyhydebailey.org/
Bangor Branch Library
- 420 Division Street Bangor, MI
- 269-427-8810
- vbdl.org/branch-locations/bangor-branch-library/
Bloomingdale Branch Library
- 109 East Kalamazoo Bloomingdale, MI
- 269-521-7601
- vbdl.org/branch-locations/bloomingdale-branch-library/
Covert Branch Library
- 33680 M-140 Hwy Covert, MI
- 269-764-1298
- vbdl.org/branch-locations/covert-branch-library/
Gobles Branch Library
- 105 E Main Street Gobles, MI
- 269-628-4537
- vbdl.org/branch-locations/gobles-branch-library/
Hartford Public Library
- 15 S Franklin Street Hartford, MI
- 269-621-3408
- hartfordpl.michlibrary.org/
Lawrence Branch Library
- 212 N Paw Paw Street Lawrence, MI
- 269-628-4537
- vbdl.org/branch-locations/lawrence-branch-library/
Paw Paw District Library
- 609 W Michigan Avenue Paw Paw, MI
- 269-657-3800
- pawpaw.lib.mi.us/
South Haven Memorial Library
- 314 Broadway Street South Haven, MI
- 269-637-2403
- shmlibrary.org/
Webster Memorial Branch Library
- 200 N Phelps Street Decatur, MI
- 269-423-4771
- vbdl.org/branch-locations/webster-memorial-branch-library

Cardboard Beverage Cartons

Best Way Disposal
- Operates: Antwerp Transfer Station, Geneva/South Haven Transfer Station, and Paw Paw Transfer Station and recycling in Village of Decatur and City of Bangor
- Be sure to clean inside of carton and allow to dry before tightly screwing cap on and putting in recycling
Republic Services
- Be sure to clean inside of carton and allow to dry before tightly screwing cap on and putting in recycling
Waste Management
- Be sure to clean inside of carton and allow to dry before tightly screwing cap on and putting in recycling

Concrete & Asphalt

Consumers Concrete
- 1100 Nazareth Road Kalamazoo, MI
- 269-342-9869
- Accepts: concrete, asphalt, and brick, Free
Jensen’s Excavating
- 13271 M-140 Highway South Haven, MI
- 269-637-5642
- jensensexcavating.com/

Construction Materials

Habitat for Humanity Restore
- Portage
  - 7612 S Westnedge Avenue Portage, MI
  - 269-381-5523
  - habitatkalamazoo.org/restore/donate/
- South Haven
  - 02959 73rd St., South Haven
  - 269-227-1244
  - lakeshorehabitat.org/restore
- Benton Harbor
  - 2302 Plaza Drive Benton Harbor, MI
  - 269-927-0006
  - harborhabitat.org/
- Call to schedule drop-off or pick-up

Cooking Oil

Recycle Roundup Collections for Van Buren County Residents and Landowners
- Available as One-Day Collections
- See Events page for dates, times, and locations

Electronic Cigarettes / E-Cigs

Recycle Roundup Collections for Van Buren County Residents and Landowners
- Available as One-Day Collections
- See Events page for dates, times, and locations

Electronics

Best Buy
- 6900 S Westnedge Avenue Portage, MI
- 269-327-2008
- bestbuy.com/site/clp/recycling
- $25 for all large items
Community Thrift Shop
- 1000 E Michigan Avenue Paw Paw, MI
- 269-657-4186
- communitythriftshopmi.com/recyclereurpose-with-us/
- Accepted Items
- All electronics are accepted for FREE

Green Earth Electronics
- 4200 Niles Rd. St Joseph, MI 49085
- 269-326-1232
- greenearth1.com/local-dropoff
- Cost: $20 TVs, $10 Monitors, $10 Freon Items
- Please bring help to unload heavy items
Senior Services of Van Buren County South Haven
- 8337 M-140, South Haven
- 269-637-3607
- Tuesdays and Thursdays 9:30 AM – 12:00 PM
- Accepted Items
- All electronics are accepted for FREE
Padnos
- Dowagiac
  - 30750 Edwards Street
  - 269-782-6177
  - sustainablerecyclinginc.com/
- Benton Harbor
  - 1410 Paw Paw Avenue
  - 269-927-1030
  - bentonharborrecycling.com/
Various Manufacturers
- michigan.gov/documents/deq/DEQ-WMRPD-2018_REGISTERED_MANUFACTURERS_604978_7.pdf

Explosives

Berrien County Bomb Unit
- 919 Port Street St. Joseph, MI
- 269-983-3060
- berriencounty.org/437/Bomb-Team
- Call dispatch and ask for bomb unit to schedule pickup
Kalamazoo County Bomb Unit
- 150 E Crosstown Pkwy Suite A Kalamazoo, MI
- 269-337-8994
- kalamazoopublicsafety.org/about/divisions/operations/bomb-squad/
- Call dispatch and ask for bomb unit to schedule pickup
- Accepts: bulk gunpowder, suspicious packages, call for other

Eye Glasses

Community Thrift Shop
- 1000 E Michigan Avenue Paw Paw, MI
- 269-657-4186
- https://communitythriftshopmi.com/recyclereurpose-with-us/
Lions Clubs
- Hartford
  - Boxes located at City Hall, Chemical Bank, and the hardware store
  - Facebook
- Paw Paw
  - 227 CR 665, Paw Paw
  - 269-657-3444
  - http://e-clubhouse.org/sites/pawpawmi/
  - Facebook
Recycle Roundup Collections for Van Buren County Residents and Landowners
- Available as One-Day Collections
- See Events page for dates, times, and locations

Fire Extinguishers

Recycle Roundup Collections for Van Buren County Residents and Landowners
- Available as One-Day Collections
- See Events page for dates, times, and locations
Summit Fire Protection
- 37881 Peters Drive Paw Paw, MI 49079
- 269-657-0942
- https://summitfire.com/locations/kalamazoo-2/

Fuels

Recycle Roundup Collections for Van Buren County Residents and Landowners
- Available as One-Day Collections
- See Events page for dates, times, and locations

Garden Flats & Pots

East Jordan Plastics, Inc.
- 1600 Stieve Drive South Haven, MI
- 269-637-3700
- https://www.eastjordanplastics.com/recycling-program
- Please first call Corporate (800-353-1190) to have materials approved. Then, call South Haven to schedule a drop-off.
Wenke Greenhouses
- 5071 Market Street Kalamazoo, MI
- 269-388-2266
- https://wenkegardencenter.com/recycling/

Hazardous Chemical Waste

Recycle Roundup Collections for Van Buren County Residents and Landowners
- Available as One-Day Collections
- See Events page for dates, times, and locations
Kalamazoo Household Hazardous Waste
- 1301 Lamont Avenue Kalamazoo, MI
- 269-373-5211
- http://www.kalcounty.com/hhw/
- Free for Antwerp township residents
- See website for full list of accepted items

Hearing Aids

Recycle Roundup Collections for Van Buren County Residents and Landowners
- Available as One-Day Collections
- See Events page for dates, times, and locations
Lions Clubs
- Paw Paw
  - 227 CR 665, Paw Paw
  - 269-657-3444
  - http://e-clubhouse.org/sites/pawpawmi/
  - Facebook

Helium Tanks

Tanks need to be prepared using the steps below, and then recycle as scrap metal.
1. Ensure tank is empty by opening the tank and pushing down nozzle until hissing sound stops
2. Remove Nozzle and discard
3. Use hammer and screwdriver to remove the small disk
  - Check out the how to video

Ink & Toner Cartridges

Cartridge World
- 4512 Stadium Drive Kalamazoo, MI
- 269-342-6331
- Original Cartridges Only, unable to take refillable cartridges
Target Stores
- 5350 W Main St., Kalamazoo
- 6839 Westnedge Ave., Portage
- https://corporate.target.com/sustainability-governance
Check out your other local retail stores such as Meijer and Walmart

Junk Mail

Catalog Choice
- http://www.catalogchoice.org/
Credit Card & Insurance Solicitations
- https://www.optoutprescreen.com/opt_form.cgi
General Junk – Direct Marketing Association
- https://dmachoice.thedma.org/
- Costs $2

Lighting

Recycle Roundup Collections for Van Buren County Residents and Landowners
- Available as One-Day Collections
- See Events page for dates, times, and locations
- Accepts: lamp ballasts and lightbulbs (compact fluorescent and any mercury-containing light bulbs)
Kalamazoo Household Hazardous Waste
- 1301 Lamont Avenue Kalamazoo, MI
- 269-373-5211
- http://www.kalcounty.com/hhw/
- Free for Antwerp township residents
- See website for full list of accepted items

Mattresses

Mattresses can be disposed of with regular garbage. Call your hauler to determine if you need to schedule a pick-up time or if your regular garbage day is best. You can take the mattress directly to the Orchard Hill Landfill in Watervliet.
See Transfer Stations for other options
Ameri-Sleep
- https://amerisleep.com/blog/mattress-donation/
Guide to Mattress Disposal: https://www.mattressnerd.com/mattress-disposal/
- Best ways to resell, recycle, donate, or dump your old mattress in every state
Mattress Clarity
- https://www.mattressclarity.com/blog/how-to-dispose-of-your-mattress/
Mattress Disposal Plus
- http://www.mattressdisposalplus.com
- Cost associated – request quote online
- They pickup from your home.

Medications

Meijer Pharmacy
- 1223 Phoenix Street, South Haven, MI 49090
- 269-639-3510
- Available when the pharmacy is open
- Not Accepted: Illegal drugs, sharps/needles, thermometers, liquids, inhalers
Recycle Roundup Collections for Van Buren County Residents and Landowners
- Available as One-Day Collections
- See Events page for dates, times, and locations
Van Buren County Red Med Box
- After medications are dropped in the Red Med Boxes, the medications are picked up by the Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Unit to be destroyed.
- VBC Red Med Webpage
National Drug Take Back
- https://www.dea.gov/takebackday
- Van Buren Locations:
  - Bronson Wellness Center
    - 950 South Bailey Street, South Haven, MI 49090
  - Antwerp Activity Center
    - 24821 Front Street Mattawan, MI 49071

Mercury

Recycle Roundup Collections for Van Buren County Residents and Landowners
- Available as One-Day Collections
- See Events page for dates, times, and locations
- Accepts: metallic mercury, thermometers containing mercury, smoke alarms, etc.

Oil & Oil Filters

❋Oil must be free of all contamination (e.g. dirt, water, etc.) in order to be accepted.

❋Contact your auto shop to see if they accept oil or oil filters if that is more convenient!

Advance Auto Parts
- 306 S Kalamazoo Street Paw Paw, MI
- 269-657-4357
- Accepts: oil only
C Stoddard & Sons
- 3456 12th Street Wayland, MI
- 269-792-6591
- https://www.stoddardoil.com/
- Accepts large quantities of oil and oil filters. Call for cost information.
Critical Car Care
- 37308 W Red Arrow Highway Paw Paw, MI
- 269-655-0911
- Accepts: oil only
Dan’s Automotive
- 56725 M-43 Highway Bangor, MI
- 269-427-1747
- https://www.dansautomotivemi.com/
- Accepts: oil only. Must call ahead to schedule drop off.
Decatur Towing & Auto Center
- 47211 M-51 Highway Decatur, MI
- 269-423-9020
- Accepts: oil only
Muffler Man
- 274 Broadway Street South Haven, MI
- 269-637-1811
- Facebook
- Accepts: oil and oil filters
O’Reilly Auto Parts
- Paw Paw
  - 735 S Kalamazoo Street Paw Paw, MI
  - 269-657-2886
- South Haven
  - 383 Blue Star Highway South Haven, MI
  - 269-206-3393
- Accepts: oil and oil filters
Performance Plus Quick Lube
- 850 Sunset Drive South Haven, MI
- 269-637-3143
- http://www.performanceplusoil.com/
- Accepts: oil and oil filters. Must call ahead to schedule drop off
Seelye of Paw Paw
- 161 Ampey Road Paw Paw, MI
- 269-657-3124
- Accepts: oil and oil filters. Must call ahead to schedule drop off.
SNK Transmission & Auto Repair
- 22203 M-40 Highway Gobles, MI
- 269-628-0186
- http://allegantransmission.com/
- Accepts: oil only. Must call ahead to schedule drop off.
South Haven Recyclers
- 3110 67th Street South Haven, MI
- 269-637-4828
- Accepts: oil only. Must call ahead to schedule drop off.
Tractor Supply
- 1000 S Kalamazoo Street Paw Paw, MI
- 269-657-2107
- Accepts: oil (limited to 5 gallons per drop off)
Walmart Tire & Lube
- 201 73rd Street South Haven, MI
- 269-639-2360
- Accepts: oil and oil filters

Oral Care Waste (i.e. toothbrushes, toothpaste tubes)

Oral-B Recycle on Us
- https://oralb.com/en-us/recycling/
- Accepted Items: toothbrushes, brush heads, toothpaste tubes, mouthwash containers, floss containers, and floss picks- all brands are accepted
- Request a free shipping label on the website, gather your materials and a box, and ship.

See Electronics for electric toothbrush recycling

Oxygen Tanks

Recycle Roundup Collections for Van Buren County Residents and Landowners
- Available as One-Day Collections
- See Events page for dates, times, and locations

Paint

Check out our Paint Disposal Guide
ePaint Recyclers
- 551 Michigan Avenue Battle Creek, MI
- 269-760-8143
- www.epaintrecycling.com
- Accepts: oil-based, latex, and aerosol paints
Recycle Roundup Collections for Van Buren County Residents and Landowners
- Available as One-Day Collections
- See Events page for dates, times, and locations
- Accepts: oil-based and aerosol paints

Personal Beauty & Hygiene Products

Eleanor’s Pantry
- 221 Drew Street Paw Paw, MI
- 269-415-0444
- http://www.eleanorspantry.org/pantry-needs-16
- Accepts: unopened toiletries, baby/adult diapers, etc.
- Best to drop off Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays
Recycle Roundup Collections for Van Buren County Residents and Landowners
- Available as One-Day Collections
- See Events page for dates, times, and locations
- Accepts: opened/unopened perfume, makeup, nail polish, nail polish remover, hair styling products, shampoo, conditioner, lotions, etc.

Pesticides, Herbicides, Fungicides, Insecticides, and Rodenticides

Clean Sweep Collections
- Occurs twice yearly
- See site for dates, times, and locations
- “-icides” must be created in Michigan
- Accepts: containers with “-icides” leftover
- Fertilizer is NOT accepted
- Registration prior to the collections is required and can be done at the site linked above.
Recycle Roundup Collections for Van Buren County Residents and Landowners
- Available as One-Day Collections
- See Events page for dates, times, and locations

Plastic Bags

Community Thrift Shop
- 1000 E Michigan Avenue Paw Paw, MI
- 269-657-4186
- https://communitythriftshopmi.com/recyclereurpose-with-us/
Family Fare
- 847 S. Kalamazoo St., Paw Paw
- 269-657-1778
Meijer
- 1223 Phoenix Street South Haven, MI 49090
- 269-639-3500
Thrift Shops & Consignment Stores
Walmart
- Paw Paw
  - 1013 South Kalamazoo Street Paw Paw, MI 49079
  - 269-415-6001
- South Haven
  - 201 73rd Street South Haven, MI 49090
  - 269-639-2260

Plastic Drums and Barrels

Padnos
- Dowagiac
  - 30750 Edwards Street
  - 269-782-6177
  - https://www.sustainablerecyclinginc.com/
- Benton Harbor
  - 1410 Paw Paw Avenue
  - 269-927-1030
  - https://www.bentonharborrecycling.com/

Propane Tanks & Cylinders

AmeriGas Propane
- 137 Prospect Street Hartford, MI 49057
- 800-424-1965
- https://www.amerigas.com/propane-locations/amerigas-propane/mi/hartford
- $5 cost per cylinder
- Helium tanks not accepted
Recycle Roundup Collections for Van Buren County Residents and Landowners
- Available as One-Day Collections
- See Events page for dates, times, and locations

Railroad Ties

❋The following landfills will accept railroad ties depending on the condition of the ties and the quantity.

Orchard Hill (Best Way Disposal)
- 7901 Dan Smith Road Watervliet, MI
- 269-463-3232
- http://www.bestway-disposal.com/locations/michigan/
- Hours of Operation:
  - Monday through Friday – 7:00 AM to 4:30 PM
  - Saturday 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM and Closed Sunday
- Contact for instructions and fees
Miller Road Transfer Station (Best Way Disposal)
- 2606 Miller Road, Kalamazoo, MI
- 269-388-3346
- http://www.bestway-disposal.com/locations/michigan/
- Hours of Operation:
  - Monday through Friday – 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM
  - Saturday and Sunday – 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM
- Contact for instructions and fees

Scrap Metal / Salvage Sharps

**excludes propane tanks**

**includes empty fuel tanks**

Clarks Auto Parts & Salvage
- 56472 Red Arrow Highway Lawrence, MI
- 269-674-4905
- Facebook
Community Thrift Shop
- 1000 E Michigan Avenue Paw Paw, MI
- 269-657-4186
- https://communitythriftshopmi.com/recyclereurpose-with-us/
L & L Auto Parts and Salvage
- 59333 S Lagrave Street Paw Paw, MI
- 269-657-5933
McPike Auto Salvage
- 25172 CR 665 Bloomingdale, MI
- 269-521-7673
South Haven Recyclers
- 3110 67th Street South Haven, MI
- 269-637-4828

Sharps

❋Sharps must be in Sharps Container or in thick plastic jug (e.g. detergent bottle) labeled “Sharps” if there is not a sharps container already provided by the disposal service

BD Safe-Clip
- Available at Walmart for ~$8
- Clips and stores the ends of needles. The clipped needle is stored in the BD Safe-Clip.
- The syringe can then be discarded in the trash.
- When the BD Safe-Clip is full (holds up to 1,500 needles), discard it in the trash.
DLD Disposal, Inc.
- 800-685-9824
- 331 Broad Street Plainwell, MI
Mail Your Sharps
- http://www.mailyoursharps.com/
Recycle Roundup Collections for Van Buren County Residents and Landowners
- Available as One-Day Collections
- See Events page for dates, times, and locations
Republic Sharps Needle Disposal Mail Back Service
- http://www.republicsharps.com/
Sharps Recovery Systems
- 800-772-5657
- www.sharpsinc.com
Van Buren/Cass District Health Department’s Free Collection Events
- Van Buren and Cass County residents can now dispose of used hypodermic needles, syringes, and lancets, more commonly referred to as “sharps”
  - 260 South Street, Lawrence
  - 302 South Front Street, Dowagiac
- One day collections. See website for details.
Waste Management MedWaste Tracker Safe Solutions
- https://www.thinkgreenfromhome.com/SyringesAndLancets.cfm

Shred Paper

❋ Local credit unions often offer “shred days” periodically throughout the year. Visit the website link or call your local credit union to inquire about days you can drop off paper that needs to be shredded.

Arbor Credit Union
- https://www.arborfcu.org/
Consumers Credit Union
- Bins avalible for drop off at all locations
Honor Credit Union
- Paw Paw
  - 422 S Kalamazoo Street
  - 269-655-0000
- South Haven
  - 749 Phillips Street
  - 269-637-2800
- https://www.honorcu.com/community-shred-days/
UPS Store
- Paw Paw
  - 239 E Michigan Avenue
  - 269-657-8080
- South Haven
  - 225 Broadway Street
  - 269-637-8388
- https://www.theupsstore.com/store-services/shredding

Smoke Detectors

Recycle Roundup Collections for Van Buren County Residents and Landowners
- Available as One-Day Collections
- See Events page for dates, times, and locations

Solvents

Recycle Roundup Collections for Van Buren County Residents and Landowners
- Available as One-Day Collections
- See Events page for dates, times, and locations

StyrofoamTM/Polystyrene & Packaging Materials

UPS Stores
- Paw Paw
  - 239 E Michigan Avenue
  - 269-657-8080
- South Haven
  - 225 Broadway Street
  - 269-637-8388
Recycle Roundup Collections for Van Buren County Residents and Landowners
- Available as One-Day Collections
- See Events page for dates, times, and locations
Tri- Power Recycling
- 1240 Anderson Street Elkhart, IN 46514
- 574-848-1900
- Public Drop off Hours: 6 AM – 4 PM Monday through Friday, 8 AM – 12 PM Saturday
- tri-powerrecycling.com/recycling-services

Tires

Recycle Roundup Collections for Van Buren County Residents and Landowners
- Available as One-Day Collections
- See Events page for dates, times, and locations
SNK Transmission & Auto Repair
- 22203 M-40 Highway Gobles, MI
- 269-628-0186
- http://allegantransmission.com/
Walmart Tire & Lube
- 201 73rd Street South Haven, MI
- 269-639-2260

VHS Tapes

GreenDisk
- https://www.greendisk.com/gdsite/services.aspx
- Mail-in service
- Costs associated

Vinyl & PVC Siding

Fryman’s Recycling
- 300 E Railroad Street Dowagiac, MI
- 269-782-0959
- http://www.frymansrecycling.com

Wheelchairs, Canes, Crutches, & Walkers

Hartford Loan Closet
- 19 W Main Street, Hartford, MI
- 269-621-4266
Lions Club
- 115 N Niles Street Paw Paw, MI
- 269-657-9954
- Accepts: canes only
VFW Posts
- Decatur
  - 560 N Phelps Street
  - 269-423-7454
- Paw Paw
  - 115 N Niles Street
  - 269-657-9954
- South Haven
  - 1070 Bailey Avenue
  - 269-637-2304

Yard Waste

Kalamazoo Landscape Supplies
- 5111 S 9th Street Kalamazoo, MI
- 269-375-8000
- Accepts: grass clippings, tree trimmings, and dirt-free leaves
- Does NOT accept: sod or dirt
- Service is offered spring through fall and costs $7.75/cubic yard
Local Garbage Haulers
- Contact your local garbage hauler to see if they will pick up yard waste for you.
- There is typically a seasonal fee, but the convenience can’t be beat!
- https://vanburencd.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Curbside-Recycling-and-Garbage-Disposal.pdf
Transfer Stations
- https://vanburencd.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/VBC-Transfer-Stations.pdf

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)

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!

Sustainable Product Guide
A guide to cleaning product alternatives

Sustainability-oriented Guides
A collection of guides with sustainability tips about glass, plastic, banking, pet ownership, and more!

Safer Choice Program Product List
To access a list of safer cleaning and other products, visit the Environmental Protection Agency’s Safer Choice Program Product List!

Composting 101
Put your food scraps to use by starting your own compost pile!

Curbside Recycling & Garbage Disposal Services
Contact service providers in your are to determine what is available to you and at what cost.

Food Pantries
Food pantries can be a great place to donate non-expired food that you cannot use.

Thrift Shops & Consignment Stores
Donating items that are no longer needed or wanted is a great way to keep items out of the landfills.

Transfer Stations in Van Buren County
When curbside recycling & garbage disposal isn’t meeting all of your needs, look for a transfer station that can help.

Recycling Directories

EGLE has put together an easy-to-use Household Drug Take Back Map to help you find locations to dispose of your medications. You can also access the Red Med Box locations in Van Buren County map.

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 EGLE (formerly 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, use the banner link below to check out the Michigan Recycling Directory!

If you’re a business, use the banner link below to check out the Recycled Materials Market Directory!

Recycling Guides

How to Use This Page

What do I do with......?

How to Reuse, Recycle, and Dispose of Your Refuse

Guides

Recycling Directories

EGLE has put together an easy-to-use Household Drug Take Back Map to help you find locations to dispose of your medications. You can also access the Red Med Box locations in Van Buren County map.

Did you know EGLE (formerly DEQ) has two recycling directories aimed at connecting everyone with useful recycling opportunities near them?

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