Recycling FAQs

Prior to 2017, US recycling markets were willing to accommodate a higher degree of contamination. Following substantial market interruptions, directly attributable to China closing its doors on the world’s recycling streams, communities here and abroad have had to face significant hurdles in how to best manage and maintain their recycling programs.

Studies on the yellow bag recycling program show Holland has a high recycling participation rate. However, the yellow bags have a high failure rate due to the collection process creating a high contamination rate. Many communities have successfully moved to a carted recycling program, which have increased their rate of recycling and reduced the amount of trash going to the landfill.

Based on the results of our study and in alignment with the proven best practices of other communities, we are transitioning Holland’s residential recycling program to use carts to ensure the best results, both financially and sustainably, for our community.

Residential service users will receive recycling carts beginning the week of April 12 along with a packet of important program information. The first collection of recyclables via the cart will be the week of May 3 for residents in Zone A. The first collection of recyclables for Residents in Zone B will be the week of May 10.

Use the following schedule to determine your zone: View Recycling Collection Calendar

Carts will be delivered automatically starting April 2021 to all current residential service users, or when new users start service.

Each recycling cart has a 96-gallon capacity and measures 23”w x 31.5”d x 46”h.

No, all recycling carts are 96 gallons and a limit of one per customer.

Only items placed inside the recycling cart will be picked up. If you have additional items, please save them for the next pick-up, or you can schedule an additional pick-up with Republic Services for a fee.

Residents should no longer use their yellow bags for their recyclables. They may use their leftover yellow bags as trash bags going forward, but should be sure to place them inside their trash cart (not outside) to prevent confusion during collection.

Yes, the recycling cart is the property of The City of Holland. If you move, the cart should remain at the address where it was initially distributed.

The carts may be stored on the side or behind your house. Storing the cart on or under a back porch is another option. Carts may not be stored curbside, on the sidewalk, or in front of your house.

The Cascade Cart Solutions carts for this program were selected because of their maneuverability and because they are made of light-weight plastic and have wheels at the back to easily roll over all terrain. It is easiest to push the cart downhill and pull it uphill.

Carts will be picked up every other week by a Republic truck specifically designated for recycling on the same day as it was with the yellow bag method. Residents in Zone A cart collection will begin the week of May 3. Residents in Zone B cart collection will begin the week of May 10.

View Recycling Collection Calendar

Recycling fees will increase by $1.00 per resident beginning July 1, 2021.

In alignment with Chapter 27 of the City of Holland Ordinances, every eligible resident is required to participate in recycling. This requirement has not changed since transitioning from the yellow bags program.

No. Once you receive your recycling cart, do not bag your recycled items anymore. Only paper bags are acceptable to recycle.

Each cart will come with a brochure of what is acceptable to recycle. Each cart will also have a QR code to easily reference what is and is not acceptable.

See the How to Recycle Page for more information on what is accepted.

Yes. One of the greatest issues with recycling is the possibility of contamination. Just one dirty item has the potential to contaminate an entire load of otherwise-viable recyclables. All items that residents place in their cart should be emptied of their contents, cleaned of all residue, and free of moisture. The cleaner the items are, the more likely the load of recyclables will not be contaminated.

Yes, while trash is collected every week, your recycling will be collected every other week as it was with the yellow bags method.

Yellow bags current schedule is every week. We are moving Holland residents from an every week recycling pick up schedule to an every other week schedule. 

We ask that residents make an effort to take care of their carts to the best of their ability. In the case that a resident’s cart is damaged due to neglect or abuse, the resident may be charged for a new cart. Each cart will be assigned to an address using an RFID chip. If a cart is found, it can be tracked and returned to the address it was assigned. Residents who report their cart stolen will receive a one-time replacement. After that, the resident may be charged for a replacement for lost or stolen carts.

If you believe your cart was stolen, please contact HBPW customer service at 616.355.1500 for a one-time replacement. After that, the resident may be charged for a replacement.