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Additional resources for solid waste disposal or recycling

American Flags

When an American flag becomes soiled, faded, and tattered, it should be destroyed, preferably by burning, according to the United States Flag Code. Flags should not be disposed of in trash or recycling.

Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) directions for proper flag disposal include folding the flag in its customary manner and placing it in a fire large enough to ensure complete burning of the flag. Individuals can come to attention, salute the flag, recite the Pledge of Allegiance, and have a brief period of silent reflection. After the fire is completely consumed, the fire should be safely extinguished, and ashes buried.

Nylon flags should not be burned, as they will produce toxic gases. Please follow local fire codes and ordinances. Most American Legion and VFW posts will accept worn flags from the public for retirement and disposal.

For more information on US flag disposal etiquette, visit:
• https://www.vfw.org/Flag
• http://www.legion.org/flag/ceremony

Appliances

If your appliance is in good condition, consider donating it to: AbleLight Thrift Shop, Goodwill Mid-Michigan, Saginaw Habitat for Humanity ReStore, Salvation Army, or Underground Railroad Resale.

Consumers Energy offers an appliance recycling program that includes cash rebates and curbside pickup for certain working appliances. Visit the Consumers Energy Appliance Recycling Rebates website for more details.

 

Explosives

Explosive items must NOT go in any carts or bins. Nor can they be disposed of through the MMWA Household Hazardous Special Waste Program.

Explosives cannot be disposed of with hazardous waste because they have their own set of regulations. With the exception of fireworks, contact the police or fire department for proper disposal.

Road flares may be disposed of as hazardous waste.

 

CFL and LED Lightbulbs

Fluorescent light bulbs contain mercury, which is a hazard for your health and the environment. Never throw them away. Dispose of them as hazardous waste. If you are unsure if your bulb is CFL, check if your bulk is listed with these other CFL bulbs: linear, U-tube and circline fluorescent tubes, bug zappers, tanning bulbs, black lights, germicidal bulbs, high output bulbs and cold-cathode fluorescent bulbs.

  • Home Depot accepts CFL bulbs for recycling, though not all locations accept fluorescent tubes or LED light bulbs. Call ahead if you are trying to dispose of a fluorescent tube or LED bulb.
  • Batteries Plus Bulbs accepts a wide variety of batteries and light bulbs for recycling, including CFLs and fluorescent tubes. See a full list of items they accept here. Depending on the item, a small fee may apply. Find your closest location. 
  • Use this search tool by RecycleABulb.com to find a CFL bulb recycler close to you. There are a number of organizations that sell mail-back kits for fluorescent and CFL light bulbs. The cost of each kit includes shipping charges. Check out this list of programs on the EPA’s website to get started.

LED light bulbs contain lead and arsenic, which are hazardous to your health and the environment. Never throw them away. Dispose of them as hazardous waste.

Medication

A medication disposal program is offered through the Saginaw County Health Department for Saginaw County residents. Under the free program, both prescription and non-prescription unwanted/leftover medications can be dropped at any of 11 different law enforcement locations across the county for safe disposal, as well as at the SCHD. Items can be dropped off at these locations during normal business hours; please call for hours of operation and directions:

  • Bridgeport Township Police Department
    (989) 777-2800
  • Buena Vista Police Department
    (989) 754-6536
  • Delta College Police Department
    (989) 686-9113
  • Frankenmuth Police Department
    (989) 652-8371
  • Richland Township Police Department
    (989) 642-2097
  • Saginaw City Police Department
    (989) 759-1288
  • Saginaw County Health Department
    (989) 758-3683
  • Saginaw County Sheriff’s Office
    (989) 790-5456
  • Saginaw Township Police Department
    989) 793-2310
  • Saginaw Valley State University Police Department
    (989) 964-4141
  • St. Charles Police Department
    (989) 865-8287
  • Thomas Township Police Department
    (989) 781-1300
  • Tittabawassee Township Police Department
    (989) 695-9623

For more information about this program, contact the Saginaw County Health Department at (989) 758-3686.

Clothing and Textiles

If your items are in good condition consider on trying the following things to keep them out of the landfill.

Sell to a consignment shop 

Set up an online listing

Gift as a hand-me-down

  • Get rid of children’s clothing by giving them to friends or neighbors as a gift for their children. Children quickly outgrow their clothes, so hand-me-downs are practically brand-new.

Give to charity 

Consider donating clothing that might be too difficult to sell in order to keep it out of landfills.

 

Scrap Iron and Metal

Scrap metal items of any size should not go into your curbside bin. These items cause excessive damage to the recycling equipment. Please contact a local scrap yard about these items.

Rifkin Steel & Aluminum Company

1011 N Washington (new location as of December 2018)
Saginaw, MI 48601
(989) 752-2158

Tires

Each summer, Saginaw County Mosquito Abatement hosts tire collections for Saginaw County residents. For more information on dates and locations, call the Saginaw County Mosquito Abatement Commission, 989-755-5751 or visit, https://www.saginawmosquito.com/home.

 

Disclaimer: The listings on this website do not constitute an endorsement by Mid Michigan Waste Authority. The information provided is not all-inclusive and is subject to change without notice.