Trash, Recycle, & Seasonal Waste Disposal

The City of Ionia offers its residents a variety of waste disposal programs throughout the year. All of the programs are free of charge. Details and schedules, regarding these programs, are presented in the document - 2025 Seasonal Waste Disposal Programs (PDF).

• Spring 'Dump-Your-Junk' Day
• Fall 'Dump-Your-Junk' Day
• Spring - Brush and Yard Waste Removal Program
• Fall - Brush Removal Program
• Bagged Leaves Pick-Up Program
• Christmas Tree Recycling Program

Yard Debris & Small Branches

If you have small branches (8 inches in diameter and less than 4 feet in length) and yard debris (weeds, leaves, dead vegetation) you may take it yourself to the City of Ionia site located at the end of Apple Tree Drive. For more details, download the Map, Apple Tree Drive Compost Site (PDF).

Follow the signs at the end of Apple Tree Drive to the city compost site. There is no entrance fee. Authorized vehicles only signs are posted. These signs are in place to notify non-city personnel that the City of Ionia Wellfield Property is protected and maintained by the City of Ionia personnel. The City of Ionia Wellfield property is under camera surveillance at all times. You may enter the property to go to the compost site to dispose of your yard debris and small branches.

Granger Waste Services is the contracted waste hauler for the City of Ionia. A comprehensive customer guide provides all details on the services provided for the City. Please visit their website using the link below for any service questions you may have including collection guidelines, holiday service schedules, and information for missed collections.

For more details, read the Granger Customer Guide.

• General items, Pesticides (insecticides, herbicides, and rodenticides)
• Pool Chemicals
• Home Improvement Products
• From Your Hobbies
• Electronic Collection

Visit the Ionia Conservation District webpage at www.ioniacd.org/ for more information.

Granger provides the following guidelines on what type of materials can be recycled.

Accepted Items

• Corrugated Cardboard
  • Break down and remove any contaminants.
• Plastic Bottles, Jugs, Tubs, and Containers
  • Items should be clean and dry. Includes bottles and jugs with narrow, threaded neck; plastic tubs (margarine, sour cream, etc.); microwave trays; and yogurt containers.
• Mixed Paper
  • Keep items loose.
• Metal Cans and Aluminum
  • Includes tin and aluminum cans and aluminum foil and trays. Rinse clean and flatten.
• Boxboard
  • Includes items like tissue boxes, cereal boxes and paper towel rolls. Break down and remove any contaminants (food, plastic or foil packaging).
• Clear and Colored Glass Bottles and Containers
  • Rinse, clean, and remove lids. Labels may be left on containers.

Not Accepted

•  Wax-coated boxes, 6-, 12- or 24-pack beverage cases.
• Plastic bags, paper- or wax-coated milk or juice cartons, foam containers/packaging, syringes, garden hoses/rubber, furniture, pools, toys, buckets, laundry baskets, barrels, free-flowing liquids.
• String, twine, stickers, coins or plastic stuck on papers
• Plastic, foam, wax- or foil-coated boxes, refrigerator or freezer boxes
• CRT glass (monitors or TV screens), light bulbs, window glass, mirrors, drinking glasses, cups, bowls or plates

All recycling in the City will be picked up by Granger every other Monday, regardless of your regular trash day. Please follow the following procedures for all recycling:

• Recycle carts must be placed street side by 7 am, on Monday.
• Recyclables do not need to be sorted.
• Do not bag recyclables. Put them loose in your recycling cart (Curby Recycler).
• View the Resident Dates to Know Calendar (PDF) for this year's recycling pickup dates. More specific recycling guidelines and a collection calendar can be on the Granger Waste Services - City of Ionia Curbside Recycling page.

The City provides two maps for identifying trash pickup days. One map covers the East area of Ionia, and the other the West area of Ionia. The maps are color-coded by area and pickup days. Trash must be placed street-side by 7 am, on the pickup service day.

Excess refuse not fitting in the trash container must be placed in a tagged bag. Trash adjacent to the container that is not in a tagged bag will not be collected. Trash bag tags are available for purchase in sets of 10 for $41.50, at City Hall, Monday through Friday, 8 am to 4 pm.

Download the maps for more details:

• Pickup Days, East Area Map (PDF)
• Pickup Days, West Area Map (PDF)

The City of Ionia has a single-source waste hauler to ensure City residents receive the best price for trash and recycling services. This contract is currently with Granger Waste Services. All City residents are required to participate in the trash and recycling program. Trash and recycling fees are included on the quarterly utility bills.

Current Rates (effective July 1, 2025)

• 90-gallon container - $30.90/quarter
• Recycle container - $13.50/quarter