FAQs • Lenawee County, MI • CivicEngage

DOS Plastics - What should I KNOW before recycling plastics at the County DOS?

The Lenawee County Recycling Drop Off Site (DOS) is open for use by all Lenawee County residents. Businesses with large amounts of recycling materials should contact a waste hauler service for alternative options.

Clean & Dry Plastics #1-7 are accepted RecycleNumbers

Condiment bottles: ketchup and mustard bottles, sour cream, frosting and butter tubs, salad dressing and syrup bottles, etc.

Bathroom accessory bottles: shampoo, body wash and hand soap bottles, lotion bottles, plastic cosmetics tubes, etc.

Cleaning supplies: Spray bottles, dish and laundry soap bottles, fabric softener bottles, windshield washer jugs, empty aerosol cans, etc.

Other plastic containers: sports drink, juice, milk, or water bottles, saline solution bottles, baby wipe containers, etc.

It’s okay to leave the labels on, but caps removed, and the container rinsed out and dry.

NO: plastic bags, bottle caps, wrappers, bread bags, stryofoam, rubber, plastic fencing, appliances, toys, vinyl siding, garden hoses, plant boxes, plant trays, pool liners, laundry baskets, plastic pipe, auto parts

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Solid Waste

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1. What do I do with old. . . . .: View all the FAQ's

2. Drop Off Site - What is the DOS?

The Lenawee County Recycling Drop Off Site, or DOS is open for use by all Lenawee County residents for household recyclables.
Businesses with large amounts of recycling materials should contact a waste hauler service provider for alternative recycling options.

The DOS is located at 307 N. River Street in Adrian, Michigan.

Check out the Recycling Page of our website

3. DOS Plastics - What should I KNOW before recycling plastics at the County DOS?

Clean & Dry Plastics #1-7 are accepted RecycleNumbers

Condiment bottles: ketchup and mustard bottles, sour cream, frosting and butter tubs, salad dressing and syrup bottles, etc.

Bathroom accessory bottles: shampoo, body wash and hand soap bottles, lotion bottles, plastic cosmetics tubes, etc.

Cleaning supplies: Spray bottles, dish and laundry soap bottles, fabric softener bottles, windshield washer jugs, empty aerosol cans, etc.

Other plastic containers: sports drink, juice, milk, or water bottles, saline solution bottles, baby wipe containers, etc.

It’s okay to leave the labels on, but caps removed, and the container rinsed out and dry.

NO: plastic bags, bottle caps, wrappers, bread bags, stryofoam, rubber, plastic fencing, appliances, toys, vinyl siding, garden hoses, plant boxes, plant trays, pool liners, laundry baskets, plastic pipe, auto parts

4. DOS Glass - What should I KNOW before recycling glass at the DOS?

ACCEPTABLE Items: Clean and dry glass bottles and jars, both clear and colored; it’s okay to leave the labels on, but NO lids please.

Items that are NOT ACCEPTABLE: glass windows or poured glass, light bulbs of any kind, Christmas bulbs

5. DOS Fibrous - What should I KNOW before recycling cardboard / paper / fibrous materials at the DOS?

The Lenawee County Recycling Drop Off Site (DOS) is open for use by all Lenawee County residents. Businesses with large amounts of recycling materials should contact their waste hauler for alternative options.

There are two types of cardboard

Corrugated: This is thick cardboard with an extra layer of wavy fiber in between sheets. The extra layer makes it stronger and a great option for shipping or packing boxes. Any size, shape or color of corrugated cardboard can be recycled. Larger amounts of corrugated cardboard should be taken to Goodwill Industries located at 1357 Division Street.
Paperboard or Chipboard: Each time we recycle corrugated cardboard, the fibers holding it together get a little bit shorter and as a result the cardboard gets slightly thinner it’s recycled and when the fibers become too thin to create strong corrugated cardboard, they are used for a class of cardboard called paperboard. Paperboard or chipboard boxes are used for cereal boxes, cake mix boxes, and cases of pop.

As long as your cardboard and paperboard is clean and dry it can be recycled at the DOS.

This includes

newspapers and inserts (unbundled)
chipboard
cardboard boxes
office paper
magazines
paperback books
junk mail
phone books
cardboard containers (cereal, dairy products, dry foods)

NO: Wet or greasy cardboard like pizza boxes or fast food boxes are considered a contaminate and belong in the garbage. Wet or contaminated items can jam sorting equipment and ruin good, clean material. To get the most out of your program, be sure to remove any plastic packaging or bags from your boxes.

It’s important to break the boxes down avoid jamming the compactor which will require the compactor to be shut down for maintenance.

Remember to close the door and let the compactor cycle through for larger loads.

Have lots of cardboard boxes?

Avoid the compactor - break them down and drop them off at one of the following OPEN collection sites

GoodWill Industries

located at 1357 Division Street in Adrian has an open container for corrugated cardboard - just flatten your boxes, drop them off in the container, and go!

Neighbors of HOPE

located at 423 W. Maumee Street in Adrian also has an open container for corrugated cardboard

6. DOS Bags - Can I leave my recyclables in a grocery bag when I recycle them at the DOS?

NO! Do not put plastic bags in the DOS Compactors. When plastic bags get mixed in with other recyclables, they’re difficult to sort out and often jam or damage machines.

The ONLY way to recycle plastic shopping bags is to return them to a participating store drop-off and NOT in your recycling bin.

Paper grocery bags can be recycled along with the paper/cardboard/newspaper (fibrous materials).

7. DOS Clean - Do my recyclables NEED to be clean?

YES

All materials need to be CLEAN and DRY.

If contamination levels are too high when a recycling load arrives at the facility, it might have to be rejected. In short, you run the risk of ruining everything in the container and diverting the whole recycling load – not just yours – to the landfill.

8. DOS Metals - What should I KNOW before recycling metals at the County DOS?

The Lenawee County Recycling Drop Off Site (DOS) is open for use by all Lenawee County residents. Businesses with large amounts of recycling materials should contact waste hauler services for alternative options.

ACCEPTABLE Items: All clean and dry non-returnable cans such as soup, pet food, coffee, aluminum pie tins, etc. are acceptable and go in the RIGID Materials container along with plastics and glass.

Items that are NOT ACCEPTABLE: Aerosol cans, paint cans, Christmas lights, extension cords, appliances, sharps, electronic waste including cell phones, tv, vcr or dvd players, computers, hangers

Local Scrap Metal Yards: OMNI Source and R&M Metals

9. AEROSOL CANS

Aerosol cans CANNOT be recycled at the County Drop Off Site

Why, you ask? Well, aerosol cans can contain substances, including the product itself and the gaseous propellant (the stuff that makes the product spray out of the can), which can create dangerous conditions when collected in the trash. They’re pressurized, which means they could explode under certain conditions, causing injuries and damage to our equipment. Additionally, the product contained in the can could leak out and mix with other chemicals in the load, causing dangerous chemical reactions.

BEST OPTION

ReDuce, ReUSE, ReCYCLE

Consider avoiding the aerosol can when possible! Use sunscreen or bug spray lotion that comes in a bottle without a propellant. Or buy reusable spray bottles for oil instead of oil sprays in aerosol cans.
If the can contains stuff in it use it up or find someone else that can use it! Your local art, theater, school may be able to use that left over spray paint or cleaners.
Investigate other recycling opportunities; just remember any cans you recycle should be empty of product and propellant.

OTHER OPTION

While there are no federal regulations that prevent aerosol can waste generated in residential settings from being disposed of in the trash or in a landfill, there are a few things to do to help ensure you are doing so safely:

Make sure cans are completely empty before throwing them away. You may be able to tell if there’s still product in the can by shaking it and listening for a sloshing noise. Empty the can by spraying it until product stops coming out and the can stops making a hissing noise. You shouldn’t attempt to puncture or disable the can or the nozzle as this could be dangerous as well.
If you can’t empty the can for any reason or if you’re not sure it’s empty, rather than putting it in the trash, take it to a special collection for hazardous chemicals.
If the can contained a flammable liquid or one that is normally considered hazardous waste, consider taking it to a special collection for hazardous chemicals, even if you think the can is empty. (Legally, household waste is excluded from the definition of hazardous waste, so there are no regulations requiring you to do this.)

10. BATTERIES

Some batteries are recyclable including lead, or lead acid, nickel-cadmium, nickel-metal-hydride, lithium, and lithium-ion batteries.
Alkaline battery systems are safe to dispose of as regular waste due to a regulated decrease in mercury content in 1996. These batteries do contain the reusable materials zinc and manganese, but the recovery process is difficult and dangerous.

Battery Wholesale located at 1002 N. Main Street in Adrian accepts all recyclable batteries. 517-263-3462 They may be able to help you determine which ones are recyclable.
Lowe’s located at 1369 Division Street in Adrian accepts lithium and rechargeable batteries - 517-266-1000
Staples accepts rechargeable batteries - 517-266-1176
Recycle ANN ARBOR 2950 E. Ellsworth in Ann Arbor accepts lithium and rechargeable batteries 734-971-7400

It’s always best to contact them directly for confirmation prior to dropping off.

11. BULK ITEMS - Like worn out mattress, sofa, chair, lawn furniture?

Bulk waste includes items that are typically too large to be disposed of in your regular curbside trash container.

Check with your waste hauling service provider; they may be able assist you.

Check with your municipality (city/township/village); they may have an upcoming all-trash pick up scheduled.

The following Transfer Stations / Landfills / Solid Waste Management facilities may accept your bulk items:

Liberty Landfill, Clarklake, MI 517-787-1177
Stevens Disposal & Recycling, Petersburg, MI 800-799-0344
Modern Waste, Napoleon, MI 517-536-7900
Jefferson Township Transfer Station, Osseo, MI 517-523-3019

12. BOOKS

SOME:

newspapers and inserts (unbundled)
magazines
paperback books (no hard cover books)
phone books

Are accepted at the Lenawee County Recycling Drop Off Site (DOS)

Hard cover books are NOT acceptable. You may want to check with your local library, Goodwill, or Neighbors of Hope.

13. COLLECTION DAY - When is the next county-wide collection event?

Please check the UPCOMING EVENTS page for updates.

Thank you.

14. COMPUTERS, MONITORS, ETC.

Staples recycles computers, monitors, Accessories/adapters/cables All-in-one computers Cable/satellite receivers Calculators Camcorders CD/DVD/Blu-ray players Coffee Brewers (less than 40 lb.) Computer speakers Connected home devices Copiers Cordless phones Desktop computers Digital cameras Digital projectors eReaders Fax machines Flash drives Gaming consoles/handhelds GPS devices Hard drives iPod®/MP3 players Keyboards & mice Laptops Mobile phones Modems Monitors (including CRT, LED/LCD, plasma) Printers/multifunction devices Routers Scanners Shredders Small servers Stereo receivers Tablets UPS/battery backup devices Video streaming devices (Apple TV®, Roku Player, etc.) Webcams

You can also earn $2 on every recycled ink or toner cartridge when you sign up for Staple Rewards

Check out their website for an updated list! Staples.com

Goodwill electronic recycling in Michigan. We recycle game consoles, computers, printers and many other electronics! The recycling process will turn old electronics into new products! This process prevents tons of toxic e-waste from entering the environment. www.goodwillsemi.org

15. CONCRETE, ASPHALT, BRICK

Habitat ReStore (517-266-0746) - may take it if it’s re-usable bricks, stones, tiles

Tecumseh-Clinton Aggregate (517-456-8667) located 10555 Tecumseh-Clinton Hwy

Liberty Landfill 7900 S. Meridian Rd in Clarklake (517-787-1177)

Always call for accepted materials and current charges

16. CONSTRUCTION DEBRIS - REMODELING

Recycle

Some building materials that are in re-usable condition may be accepted at the Habitat for Humanity ReStore located on US-223 in Adrian, or another salvage facility.

Disposal

Call your local provider to see what services they may provide.

Or contact one of the following service providers:

Liberty Landfill in Clarklake 517-787-1177
Modern Waste in Napoleon 517-536-7900
Jefferson Township Transfer Station in Osseo 517-523-3019
Stevens Disposal & Recycling in Petersburg 800-779-0344

17. FLORESCENT LIGHTS

Lenawee County Building & Grounds Department will crush and dispose of florescent tubed light bulbs for a nominal fee. 517-264-4738
Recycle Ann Abor 734-971-7400

18. FREON

Refrigerators, freezers, air conditioners, dehumidifies, and water coolers contain ozone depleting refrigerants that must be removed by a certified professional.

There is only one way to remove Freon from a HVAC system, and that is with the use of a reclaimer machine designed to capture the Freon, filter out the impurities and store it for future use. It is illegal to release Freon into the atmosphere. Freon contains fluorocarbons that are harmful to the environment.

Freon removal/unit tagging fees vary. Call ahead for fees and procedures.

Best Heating and Cooling - 2030 Weston Road, Jasper, MI 517-436-6307
Garner Heating & Cooling - 304 N. Evans Street, Tecumseh, MI 517-424-5669
Naugle Plumbing & Heating - 304 N. Evans Street, Tecumseh, MI 517-423-3121
OMNISource - 815 Treat Hwy, Adrian, MI 517-265-5195

19. FROZEN FOOD BOXES / PIZZA BOXES

ARE NOT ACCEPTED AT THE DOS

Wet, greasy, or waxed cardboard; such as pizza boxes, fast food boxes, some freezer food boxes. Wet or contaminated items can jam sorting equipment and ruin good, clean material. To get the most out of your program, be sure to remove any plastic packaging or bags from your boxes.

20. PAINT

You will need to first determine what type of paint you have.

OIL-BASED paints are considered Hazardous Materials which may harm the environment. These items must be properly disposed of at a Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) facility or event; to find a HHW facility visit the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy at www.michigan.gov/egle

LATEX and ACRYLIC paints: Place open cans of latex or acrylic paints outside or in a well-ventilated area to allow the paint to harden. This process can take a couple of days to a few weeks, depending on the temperature and humidity. Once the paint is solid and completely dry - it can be thrown away with your regular trash (leave the lid off of the can).

If there is a lot of pain left in the can you can add kitty litter or an oil absorbent material to dry the pain out more quickly.

Alternatively, apply any leftover paint to scrap lumber or cardboard and allow it to safely dry

Recycle Ann Arbor will accept water-based paints ONLY. 734-971-7400

Watch the website for future Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) collection events.

ERG Environmental 734-437-9650 accepts hazardous materials including oil-based paints, stains, and solvents.

21. PESTICIDES

Michigan Clean Sweep - Dispose of Your Unused or Unwanted Pesticides

The Michigan Clean Sweep program helps protect the state's natural resources and prevent agriculture pollution by ensuring the safe and proper disposal of outdated, unused, unwanted pesticides in Michigan. Clean Sweep sites will accept pesticide products free of charge from any Michigan resident.

For more information on Clean Sweep visit the website: http://www.michigan.gov/mdard/0,4610,7-125-2390_45388-11759--,00.html

ERG Environmental 734-437-9650 https://ergenvironmental.com/

22. PLASTIC BAGS

Plastic shopping bags should be returned / accepted at your local grocer.

Meijer accepts not only grocery bags, but case overwrap, product wraps, newspaper sleeves, dry cleaning bags, salt/pellet bags, ice bags, packaging air pillows, LDPE/HDPE films, food storage bags, cereal liners, and bread bags! http://meijercommunity.com/plastic-bag-recycling

23. PROPANE / GAS TANKS

Since there’s a possibility of propane/gas left in the tank, many landfills, recycling centers, and scrap metal dealers will not accept unwanted tanks for recycling.

Couple of suggestions:

If you have a propane tank that you don’t want, place your old tank beside a Blue Rhino display and they’ll take care of it.

Baker's Gas & Welding Supplies and Baker's Propane in Tecumseh may accept empty propane or other cylinders.

Contact another welding supply store.

24. SCRAP METALS

Dry, clean tin cans are recyclable and can be dropped off in the appropriate container at the Lenawee County Recycling Drop Off Station (DOS) located on River Street, in Adrian.

Contact your local waste hauler provider for larger items
Check with your local municipality (city/township/village) for upcoming collection events
Contact a scrap metal yard such as:
- OMNI Source - 815 Treat Street, Adrian, MI (517) 265-5195
- R&M Recycling - 2675 Treat Hwy, Adrian, MI (517) 263-9000
- Goodwill SE Michigan - 1357 Division Street, Adrian, MI (517) 263-2135

25. STYROFOAM / PACKING MATERIALS

Call for hours of operation and additional information:

Solid Styrofoam products

One of Styrofoam’s main physical properties is that it is a thermoplastic. This means that the material is solid at room temperature, but flows as a liquid when heated to a specific point. As a liquid, the Styrofoam can be molded in fine detail; creating a solid styrofoam such as meat trays, egg cartons, styrofoam cups, etc.

DART Container Corp. - 432 Hogback Road, Mason, MI 517-244-2866 FLYER (pdf)
Recycle ANN ARBOR - 2950 E. Ellsworth Road, Ann Arbor, MI 734-971-7400

Packaging Materials

Stryofoam peanuts, styrofoam sheeting, pillow packs, bubble wrap,

Postal Plus - 1416 S. Main Street, Adrian, MI 517-264-4072
GreenJak Inc - 240 Salisbury Street, Morenci, MI 517-438-0936

26. TIRES

Contact your local tire dealer about disposal and confirm sizes accepted, current pricing, and hours of operation.

Other options for larger loads :

Huffman Rubber - 7510 25-1/2 Mile Road, Homer MI 517-568-3353
Jefferson Township Transfer Station Recycling & Solid Waste Management - 3255 Pioneer Rd. (M-99), Osseo, MI 517-523-3019
Deerpath Recycling 56625 Wood House, Dowagiac, MI 49047 269-782-7232

Check the Schedule of Events for special collections.

27. TRASH

Contact the site prior to visiting for up-to-date services and pricing

Contact your local service provider or

A waste transfer station plays an important role in a community’s total waste management system, serving as the link between a community’s solid waste collection and the final waste disposal facility. Items accepted may vary by site and you are encouraged to call before visiting.

See our list of Local Service Providers

Liberty Landfill - 7900 S. Meridian Road, Clarklake, MI 49234 517-787-1177

Transfer Station
Construction & Demolition Debris
Non-Hazardous Waste Materials
Yard Waste
Oil Disposal/Recycling
E-Waste Recycling

Stevens Disposal & Recycling Services - 1629 Ida West Road, Petersburg, MI 800-779-0344

Transfer Station
Non-Hazardous Municipal Waste (construction/demolition waste, bulk items, truck & trailer loads welcome)

Modern Waste - 7245 S. Brooklyn Road, Napoleon, MI 517-536-7900

Trailer loads trash
Recycling drop off

Jefferson Township Transfer Station Recycling & Solid Waste Management - 3255 Pioneer Rd (M-99), Osseo, MI 517-523-3019

Tractor/farm, auto, semi tires
Mattresses, box springs
Construction/demolition materials
Televisions/e-Waste
9-volt, D, C, AAA, AA batteries
Bulk items (couch, chair, love-seat)
#1 & #2 plastics, all metals, paper/newspaper/books, used oil, anti-freeze, foam cups/packaging (no peanuts), clean-clear food containers, appliances

28. TV (Televisions)

Unless your local government sponsors an electronics recycling program, or the company that sells you a new television will take your old one for free, expect to pay a fee to get rid of it.

Options to consider:

Donate your TV - Local charities may accept televisions that still work.
Return it to the manufacturer.
Ask the business that you are purchasing your new one from.
Sell it.
Give it away for free.

Contact Suggestions for recycling/disposal:

Contact your service provider
Best Buy
Jefferson Township Transfer Station 517-523-3019
Modern Waste 517-536-7900
Recycle Ann Arbor 734-971-7400
Stevens Disposal & Recycling 734-854-7695

Lenawee County has sponsored collection events in the past (typically in the spring & fall) please watch the website for future events.

29. PLASTIC BAGS

Plastic shopping bags should be returned / accepted at your local grocer - Check out this resources BAGS & FILM Recycling

Categories

It’s okay to leave the labels on, but caps removed, and the container rinsed out and dry.

NO: plastic bags, bottle caps, wrappers, bread bags, stryofoam, rubber, plastic fencing, appliances, toys, vinyl siding, garden hoses, plant boxes, plant trays, pool liners, laundry baskets, plastic pipe, auto parts

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Solid Waste

It’s okay to leave the labels on, but caps removed, and the container rinsed out and dry.