MENOMINEE — It’s out with the bags and in with the bins.
Residents will have a new way of taking out the garbage with the City of Menominee and Green for Life’s new trash and recycling service, which will kick off on Monday.
Quarterly garbage fees will rise from $14.70 to $30, as approved at the January city council meeting.
City Manager Brett Botbyl clarified at the meeting that the quarterly fee hike (which amounts to $5 per month) is because the cost per stop per month will increase by about $5, from $13.50 to $18.21.
The new service ends the process of putting bags on the curb and moves toward a bin system like Marinette. The difference? Menominee has 96-gallon carts, while Marinette has 64-gallon carts.
It also ends the problem of pests going through the trash.
“I do believe the bins will be much more sanitary — our city will look cleaner and more organized,” Botbyl said. We won’t have animals getting into the garbage and pulling it into the streets.”
Residents will have two carts, one for garbage and one for recycling, which were delivered to each pickup point—all 4,000 of them—throughout this week. Those who did not receive a cart can contact city hall at 906-863-2656.
“We are seeing some discrepancies with the address lists due to corner locations,” Botbyl said. “Many are upper/lower rental challenges that we did not have data on. It will take several days to continue with this project. There will be some catchup into next week for sure, but we will get through this.”
Residents who would like to order an additional garbage bin can call city hall and order one for $75, with an extra $30 fee per quarter to handle the additional cart. Botbyl said small businesses cannot order an additional bin.
People may need to remember a new garbage pickup day, as these days have shifted. Those wondering about their garbage day can find a map, along with the 2024 service calendars, on the desktop homepage of the City of Menominee website.
Residents should have also received an informational packet with their bins that details their new pickup schedule.
Recycling will be picked up next week on the same day and time as garbage; however, with this new system, GFL will only pick up recycling every other week.
To ensure that garbage gets picked up, residents must have their carts placed before 6 a.m. on collection day — they can also put the carts out the night before.
Carts must be placed within 3 feet of the curb or street on one side of the driveway.
“It needs to be close to the street so the truck can reach and grab it,” Botbyl said.
The recycling cart should be separated from the garbage cart by 3 feet. The carts should also be 3 feet away from any fixed object like a mailbox, parked car or utility pole. Face the cart handles and wheels away from the street.
Residents should keep the recycling loose in their recycling bin, but the garbage must be bagged.
Botbyl said he expects a transitional period where things might go differently than planned.
“We’re going to have some hiccups or issues,” Botbyl said. “Call city hall and if it’s something we can’t answer, one way or another, we can get it figured out.”
With this service change, bulk pickup will no longer be offered. People can contact GFL directly to set up large item pickups for a fee or contact a service in town that offers bulk pickup.
Residents with disabilities or who need help with their bins should contact Green Bay GFL directly at 920-687-2631.
Knowing what not to put in your bins is as important as knowing what to put in them. Here’s a list of unacceptable trash and recycling materials:
Unacceptable Trash Materials
• Liquid of any kind
• Electronic waste
• Oil filters
• Curbside recyclables
Unacceptable Recycling Materials
• Plastic bags or wrap
• Shredded paper
• Motor oil bottles
• Styrofoam
• Tissue paper
• Window glass and drinking glasses
• Scrap metal
• Aluminum pans or foil
• Propane tanks
• Empty paint cans
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