Following a competitive bidding process, the City of Traverse City has authorized a five-year agreement with American Waste to be the single provider of solid waste services to residential customers.
The purpose of this single hauler agreement is to reduce truck traffic in the residential neighborhoods and give residents access to the lowest market prices for waste collection. The agreement takes effect April 1st 2011, with a phase-in for residents who have pre-paid arrangements with other waste haulers.
If you are a City of Traverse City resident, you should have received a mailer allowing you to choose the service level you want with American Waste. Please fill out and mail in this post card.
CLICK HERE to create/confirm your account online.
CLICK HERE to sign up for convenient e-payments.
Once you’ve created your account with American, you will receive a welcome letter notifiying of your pick-up day.
Below are summarized points of your new service with American Waste:
Your choice of 96-gallon cart or budget bag trash pick-up
No-sort recycling
You no longer have to separate your recyclables. Your paper can be mixed with your cans with your plastic and your glass. EASY! CLICK HERE for a complete list of items you can now recycle.
Recycling of #1 — #7 plastics (no "styrofoam" yet)
You can recycle all types of plastic with American Waste. You can even recycle garden plastics.
At this time, we are not accepting foamed products. We expect this to change in the near future. Please keep informed of the latest changes by signing up for our newsletter.
Plastic bags recycling
American Waste accepts plastic bags and plastic films for recycling. A plastic film could include any of the following:
- marine shrink wrap
- pallet wrap
- food storage bags
- softener salt bags
- plastic drop "cloth" aka Visqueen
- bread bag
An incentive-based rewards program
Please check back soon for details on your rewards program. Although details are not currently available, you will begin rewards eligibility April 1st, 2011.
Recycling processed locally
We sort, bale and ship your recycling from right here in Traverse City. We recycle it locally! We have recycling processing centers in both Kalkaska and Traverse City. Sign up for our newsletter to find out when our new MRF (Material Recovery Facility) will be available for public tours.
Monthly bulky-item pick-up
Your bulky item pick up day is your first pick up day of the month. If your garbage pick up day is Monday, your bulky item pick up will be the first Monday of each month.
Yard waste pick-up
American Waste offers a pay-by-the-bag yard waste colleciton option to City residents. This service is available April-November at a cost of $2/sticker with your 30 gal. compostable bag. Stickers are available at the American Waste office in Traverse City. Bio-degradable bags are available at Traverse City Ace Hardware Stores.
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