Due to the structure of our staffed recycling centers and how our material is hauled, we ask that you sort your items before you arrive at the Marshall Recycling Center.  We recommend sorting items into cardboard boxes and paper bags which can be recycled at the center. We can not recycle plastic bags and must landfill all bags left at the center. Click here for the Marshall Recycling Flyer.

All material should be clean, empty, and dry.  Sort items into the following bullet points:

• Aluminum cans, trays, and foil
• Steel cans & tins
• Clear/colored glass bottles and jars

  This includes glass candle jars (can have wax inside), as well as, picture frame glass 16x20 frame size or smaller.  Picture frame glass should be packaged in a cardboard box for safety.  Bottles and jars need to have lids removed. 

  NO: Pyrex, microwave turnable plates, and glass casserole dishes

• #1 PET plastic bottles (soda, water, and flavored beverages)
• #2 HDPE natural  plastic bottles (milk, vinegar, and water jugs)
• #2 HDPE colored plastic bottles (detergent and fabric softener containers)
• #5 PP plastic - 

  Dairy tubs

  Yogurt (32 oz. containers and styles with foil lids)       

  Black/clear to-go containers that can be heated

  Cups for applesauce, fruit, and pudding

  Deli salad containers (round and square) 

  Food storage containers (lunch meat containers with reusable tub/lid) 

  Fast food cups

  Cat food tubs/cups

  Prescription bottles clear orange

• Newspaper including insets and telephone books
• Cardboard including box board and paper bags
• Office paper (computer paper, notebook paper, and envelopes)
• Magazines and Catalogs
• Polystyrene #6 (Styrofoam)

The following are single stream (no sorting) recycling options in Calhoun County:

• C&C Landfill recycling center (link to center information)
• One weekend a month recycling center located at Clarence Township
• Check with your trash hauler to see if they offer curbside recycling in your area

Household Hazardous Waste collections accepts OIL-BASED paint only, no latex paint will accepted.

Donate unused paint to theatre, civic, charitable, or art organizations.

Latex Paint
Latex paint is the safest paint to use, since it is water-based. It cleans up easily with water so there is no need for toxic thinners. Choose latex paint over oil-based paint when possible. Purchase only the quantity needed and use the product as it was intended to be used. Use up all the paint if possible.

Latex Paint (Disposal Hints)
Dried out latex paint can be thrown away with the regular trash. Allow the paint to dry. Find an area that is protected from children, pets, and rain but has good air flow. A high shelf in a well vented garage or shed may be suitable. Remove the lid and allow liquids to evaporate. Depending on the type and quantity of paint, this can take a few days to months. This works well for small quantities (1-3 inches in bottom of can), but larger quantities take longer to dry. Leave the lid off the can and once it is dry throw it in with regular household garbage.

For faster drying:

• Stir it occasionally to break the surface scum, for better evaporation.
• Mix in equal amounts of an absorbent material, such as cat litter or sawdust.

Important:

• DO NOT dump paint on the ground or down storm drains, where it can travel directly to surface or ground water.
• DO NOT pour paint down the drain. Septic systems and wastewater treatment plants can safely handle small amounts of latex paint only, so limit this to paint brush cleaning and general clean-up.
• DO NOT throw liquid paint in the trash. This will prevent leakage into the landfill.

Three tire collections are held every year funded by the DEQ Scrap Tire Grant.  The collections are generally held between May and August.  Tire retailers will accept scrap tires for a disposal fee.  Some have limits on how many scrap tires they will accept at a time.  Scrap tires can also taken directly to a scrap tire processor.  Costs for disposal are based on the size of the tire.

The county offers one appliance collection event a year. See our events page dates and times. Many companies have a “take back” program when purchasing new appliances where they will take old appliances when delivering new. Items that contain Freon must be tagged that the Freon has been removed before they are taken to a scrap metal yard.  Freon removal is available for free during the county event.  

Televisions may be recycled during county electronics collections. Please visit our events page for upcoming collections.  The Solid Waste Program collaborates with the City of Battle Creek and provides an additional electronics collection in August. Best Buy is no longer accepting old televisions for free.

Computers may be recycled during county electronics collections. Visit the events page for upcoming collections.  The Solid Waste Program collaborates with the City of Battle Creek and provides an additional electronics collection in August.  Check with retailers to see what is covered through their recycling program.  Some programs may accept computers or laptops, but may not accept CRT style monitors.

Old tires should be left at retailers when new tires are purchased.  Check with auto parts stores to see if you can recycle motor oil and oil filters.  If not, automotive products such as motor oil, fuel, and anti-freeze are accepted at HHW collections.  Metal parts have value as scrap metal and even automobiles that no longer running can be scrapped at a scrap metal yard.

Recycling mini grant application