Recycling Drop-Off

Next date: Saturday, April 25, 2026 | 10:00 AM to 01:00 PM

Volunteers collect EPS foam for recycling

Recyclers, on April 25 you can bring textiles (used clothing and fabrics) to recycle! Find details below.

Not everything that is recyclable can go in your curbside bin. Items like Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) foam, electronics, and certain specialty materials require separate collection. Kalamazoo offers drop-off events throughout the year so residents can responsibly recycle these items.

Residents may drop off any amount of accepted materials during collection hours. Volunteers will be stationed in the parking lot of Mayor’s Riverfront Park from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on designated collection days.

Accepted materials include:

  • EPS foam (#6 PS)
  • Large pieces of cardboard (that are too large for your curbside bin)
  • Plastic oral and dental care products
  • Used water filters
  • Electronics
  • Documents for secure shredding
  • Used clothing and fabrics! (April 25 only, see more info below)

Please do not leave materials unattended outside of collection hours.

This program is made possible by dedicated community volunteers with support from city staff. When you drop off your items, be sure to thank them for their time and support.

EPS Foam Guidelines

ACCEPTED:

  • Foam labeled with a 6 symbol only
  • Food containers must be rinsed, wiped, or cleaned
  • Material should break if you bend it

NOT ACCEPTED:

  • Styrofoam or sheeted insulation
  • Straws or lids
  • Packing peanuts

Electronics Guidelines

Thanks to a partnership with Schupan, you can bring old unwanted electronic items for recycling too! Most items are recycled for free, but CRT and LCD monitors and TVs will have a $10 processing fee. Electronics recycling is available at Mayors' Riverfront Park only. 

ACCEPTED:

  • Computers, laptops, servers
  • Printers and scanners
  • Modems and cable boxes
  • Mobile devices and tablets
  • Other consumer electronics
  • CRT monitors & TVs, LCD monitors & TVs* (accepted with a $10 processing fee)

NOT ACCEPTED:

  • Smoke detectors
  • Items containing liquid or freon
  • Glass, rubber, or paper


Oral Care Product Guidelines

All brands of used or empty toothpaste tubes and caps, toothbrushes, toothpaste cartons, toothbrush outer packaging, and floss containers are accepted. Please make sure they are EMPTY, CLEAN and DRY!

NOTE: Electric toothbrushes, battery toothbrushes, and/or their parts must be recycled through Electronics recycling program, with Schupan.

April 25 Textile Recycling

The April 25 Recycling Drop-Off event will also accept textiles, in partnership with Western Michigan University MODA. You can bring: 

  • Used clothing
  • Fabric scraps

Please do not bring upholstery and interior design fabrics. 

Clothing and textiles collected at the event will be sorted by MODA student volunteers. Items suitable for reuse will be upcycled into new garments, supporting student creativity and sustainability efforts. Some of these pieces may even be featured in MODA’s annual fashion shows. Materials that are not suitable for upcycling will be responsibly recycled through a textile recycling partner to ensure they stay out of the landfill.

This program helps extend the life of textiles while supporting local students and reducing waste in our community.

 

What Happens to the Foam? 

After it's collected, the EPS foam is densified and turned into things like insulation panels, roofing materials, crown molding molds, picture frames, or Adirondack chairs.

When

  • Saturday, July 23, 2022 | 10:00 AM - 01:00 PM
  • Saturday, October 22, 2022 | 10:00 AM - 01:00 PM
  • Saturday, December 31, 2022 | 10:00 AM - 01:00 PM
  • Saturday, April 22, 2023 | 10:00 AM - 01:00 PM
  • Saturday, July 22, 2023 | 10:00 AM - 01:00 PM
  • Saturday, October 28, 2023 | 10:00 AM - 01:00 PM
  • Saturday, December 30, 2023 | 10:00 AM - 01:00 PM
  • Saturday, April 20, 2024 | 10:00 AM - 01:00 PM
  • Saturday, July 27, 2024 | 10:00 AM - 01:00 PM
  • Saturday, October 12, 2024 | 10:00 AM - 01:00 PM
  • Saturday, December 28, 2024 | 10:00 AM - 01:00 PM
  • Saturday, January 25, 2025 | 10:00 AM - 01:00 PM
  • Saturday, April 26, 2025 | 10:00 AM - 01:00 PM
  • Saturday, July 26, 2025 | 10:00 AM - 01:00 PM
  • Saturday, October 25, 2025 | 10:00 AM - 01:00 PM
  • Saturday, December 27, 2025 | 10:00 AM - 01:00 PM
  • Saturday, February 14, 2026 | 10:00 AM - 01:00 PM
  • Saturday, April 25, 2026 | 10:00 AM - 01:00 PM
  • Saturday, July 25, 2026 | 10:00 AM - 01:00 PM
  • Saturday, October 31, 2026 | 10:00 AM - 01:00 PM
  • Saturday, December 26, 2026 | 10:00 AM - 01:00 PM

Location

Mayors' Riverfront Park, 251 Mills Street, Kalamazoo, 49048, View Map

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