Solid Waste Services

Robert Albrecht, Public Works Superintendent - (989) 463-8339 email

About Solid Waste Collections

Solid Waste Collection Services The City of Alma provides weekly curbside collection of solid waste for all single and two family residential properties in the City.

The services are provided to solid waste customers only. Find a map and schedule of collection days under Solid Waste Information in the "Documents and Links" tabs shown on this page.

Should a collection day fall on a holiday (New Years's Day, Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, or Christmas) or on a Sunday, collections will be delayed one day.

The cost of the service is $22.15 per month (effective July 1, 2018) which includes the solid waste, recycling and yard waste programs, leaf collection, Christmas tree collection and the household hazardous waste program.

Normal household waste will be collected in four operations: Garbage and rubbish, recyclables, yard waste and special services. To insure collection, all waste must be separated, placed in approved containers and set out next to the road by 6:00 a.m. of the collection day but not before 12:00 noon of the preceding day. All emptied containers must be removed on the day of collection.

The City will not pick up hot ashes, hazardous waste, auto parts, brick, stones, broken concrete, asphalt, construction debris or tires as part of the regular weekly collection.

In addition, residents may set out one large item per week for disposal. Large items may consist of furniture, appliances and carpeting meeting the weight and size limitation noted herein.

All refuse not placed in containers must be securely bundled so as not to exceed 24 inches in diameter, 48 inches in length or 50 pounds in weight. Appliances such as refrigerators, freezers and air conditioners must have all refrigerants (freon) removed prior to collection. A certification must be affixed to the appliance by a licensed contractor to confirm the freon has been properly removed.

For more information on collection services, please see Alma's Residential Solid Waste Collection Services booklet under Solid Waste Information in the "Documents and Links" tabs on this page..

Yard Waste

Yard waste will be collected from the first Monday in April through the third full week of October of each year in accordance with the following procedures:

All yard waste must be separated from recycling materials and general refuse at the curbside.

All grass clippings, leaves and other small loose trimmings from shrubs, trees or bushes must be placed in paper sacks or cardboard boxes (mandatory biodegradable containers) and/or multi-use containers clearly and permanently marked for "Yardwaste" (lettering 6 inch minimum) with a maximum size of 32 gallons and weight of 50 pounds. Multi-use containers cannot be 55-gallon drums nor 'cut down' barrels.

All tree limbs must be placed in piles, not bundled, with all stems lying in the same direction. Large limbs, up to four (4) inches in diameter must be delimbed to reduce size for sufficient handling.
Large tree limbs over four (4) inches in diameter, tree stumps, tree roots, or excessive quantities of branches from heavy tree trimming or tree removal will NOT be collected. Plastic bags and unmarked containers will not be collected.

Placement of yardwaste shall not obstruct sidewalks or public streets.

Yardwaste material will be collected on each resident's normal garbage collection day. Materials should be placed out by 6:00 a.m. to ensure pickup.

Christmas Tree Collection

The City of Alma provides a Christmas tree collection during the second full week of January each year.

Residents are requested to place their tree out next to the roadway prior to their normal collection day of the designated week. All hardware and decorations must be removed.

Documents and Links

Gratiot Area Solid Waste Authority

Download Documents:

Meeting Minutes, 04/04/2019 (PDF)

Meeting Minutes, 05/31/2018 (PDF)

Hazardous Waste Information

Download Document:

Household Hazardous Waste Collection Program (PDF)

Recycling Information

Download Document:

Gratiot Area Solid Waste Authority Recycling Program (PDF)

Solid Waste Collection Information

Download Documents:

Solid Waste Collection Information Flyer (PDF)

Solid Waste Collection Map and Schedule (PDF)

Hazardous Waste

The City of Alma, in conjunction with the City of St. Louis, provides an annual household hazardous waste disposal program each year.

Hazardous items such as batteries, paints, pesticides/herbicides and cleaning liquids can be dropped off at a designated location. The household hazardous waste disposal service is only provided to Alma and St. Louis Solid Waste customers. No direct fee is charged for this service.

Although the collection of household hazardous waste has been traditionally held the first week of May, this year it will be held during the first week of June.

2019 collection dates are June 4, 5, & 6, 2019. Please check the "Hazardous Waste Information" tab on this page for more information.

Call (989) 463-8339 to reserve your drop-off appointment.

NOTE: Used motor oil can be dropped off at the Alma Public Works Garage located at 800 Washington Street at anytime, Monday through Friday, from 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Maximum size of container: 1 gallon. Oil Only! No Gasoline! No Antifreeze! Please check in with City personnel at the Public Works Garage.

Recycling

City of Alma Recylcing Program Recyclables are collected weekly and must be placed in furnished recycling bins.

Lost, stolen or damaged recycling bins are the responsibility of the property owner. Replacement bins may be purchased at the Alma Municipal Building for a nominal fee.

Ninety-six (96) gallon carts may also be rented from our solid waste contractor, Republic Services. Please contact Customer Service at 1-800-878-4626 for more information.

Only accepted and properly prepared items will be collected as part of Alma’s residential recycling program. Recyclables do not have to be separated in the recycle bin.

Please check the "Recycling Information" tab on this page for information about what items can be accepted and how to prepare them:

Compost

The City has a compost pile located across from the Public Works facility on Washington Street. The compost is free and available for self loading.

Fall Leaf Collection

The City of Alma Fall leaf collection program begins in late October and runs through the end of November. Property owners are asked to rake their leaves to the edge of the roadway for collection without putting them in containers. Leaves should not be placed in the traveled portion of the roadway or onto sidewalks or mixed with brush and other yard waste. Please do not place brush on or in leaf piles.

The City will collect the leaves twice during the program in accordance with the schedule found under the "Leaf Collection Information" tab in this page.