Battle Creek curbside recycling customers will see a change to bi-weekly service starting April 1.
Please note that this is for recycling only – trash pickup will continue weekly.
The City Commission on Jan. 8 approved a contract renewal with Waste Management, the city’s current hauler. This renewal included the change, after officials determined that continuing with weekly recycling service would cost an additional $159,000 per year.
Changing to bi-weekly service means customers will not see a rate increase. However, city customers will see a 54-cent rate increase, also on April 1, the annual increase outlined in the city's Fee, Bond and Insurance Schedule. This is not affected by the recycling change; annual increases are planned for the life of the current contract.
China’s National Sword Policy affects recycling in Battle Creek, and around the globe. The policy means the United States and other nations cannot send plastic waste to China for recycling, after doing so for more than 25 years. Some municipalities have cut recycling programs altogether, or increased rates due to the increased cost of recycling. City officials believe the bi-weekly service is a good compromise.
City customers who consistently fill the 96-gallon recycling cart can choose to rent a second cart from Waste Management, starting at $3.25 per month. Call the customer service line at 866-797-9018 to do this. There also is a Waste Management drop-off recycling center customers may use at no cost – it is at 4547 Wayne Road in Springfield, and accepts cardboard, plastics 1-7, aluminum, and glass.
Also available at no cost are the Calhoun County recycling centers in Albion (216 N. Eaton St.) and Marshall (13300 15 Mile Road). These locations accept many items, including Styrofoam No. 6. Visit calhouncountyrecycling.com for more details, or call 269-969-6395. Hours in Albion are 9 a.m.-noon Monday and the first Saturday of the month, and 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Wednesday. Hours in Marshall are 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday, and 9 a.m.-noon the third Saturday of the month.
Watch for more information on recycling in the city, and the program changes, between now and April. This Monday, Jan. 28, Environmental Program Coordinator Elizabeth Paul will give a recycling presentation at First United Methodist Church, starting at 7 p.m. You also can hear her on WBCK 95.3 at 7:50 a.m. on Feb. 11. See more recycling information at the city’s website, battlecreekmi.gov/recycling, and the Waste Management website, recycleoftenrecycleright.com.
The city’s waste hauling contract will be re-bid in late 2020, to go into effect in April of 2021.