Make the most of the season with a cleaner, safer space—inside and out!

Fall is one of the most enjoyable times of the year, and with cooler temperatures crisp air, it’s also the perfect time to declutter and prepare for winter.

Whether you’re clearing out closets or raking up leaves, having a plan makes all the difference. Here’s your step-by-step guide to fall decluttering—with tips for safe disposal and helpful Granger services to make the process easier.

Step 1: Start Indoors

Begin your cleanup room by room. Focus on areas that tend to collect clutter—closets, basements, garages and storage spaces. Donate what you can, recycle where possible and toss what’s no longer usable.

Once your indoor spaces are refreshed, it’s time to head outside!

Step 2: Tidy Up Outdoor Spaces

Fall leaves, branches, and garden debris can pile up quickly. Cleaning up now helps prevent slippery walkways and makes spring yard prep easier.

But before you toss everything, keep in mind that not everything should go in your Curby cart. Some items require special handling due to safety or environmental regulations.

Hazardous Household Waste

Hazardous materials, such as rechargeable batteries, paint, cleaning chemicals and fuel, should never be disposed of in your regular trash. Instead, use a hazardous waste collection.

Helpful Resources

• Earth 911 Database–Find local disposal/recycling options by item type.
• Community Facebook groups and local news sites often post about special collection events.

Local Collection Programs

• Alma Household Hazardous Waste Collection
• Eaton County Household Hazardous Waste Collection
• Ingham County Household Hazardous Waste Collection
• Jackson County Household Hazardous Waste Collection
• Kent County Household Hazardous Waste Collection

Yard Waste

Did you know it’s illegal to dispose of yard waste in a landfill in Michigan? Fortunately, Granger offers convenient options for managing your yard waste disposal.

• Curbside yard waste collection—Available in select areas for brush, grass clippings, tree trimmings and fall leaves
• Self-service yard waste drop-off—Open year-round at our Disposal Center of Lansing and Disposal Center of Jackson.

Step 3: Handle Overflow with Ease

But what do you do if your cleanup leaves you with more trash than your Curby cart can handle? Don’t worry. We’ve got your covered!

Disposal Centers

Visit our Disposal Centers in Lansing, Alma or Jackson to drop off large items and/or extra trash.

Bulk Collection

Schedule a bulk collection of furniture, appliances and similar items

Temporary Container Rentals

For major cleanouts, consider renting one of our large containers, which are available in most of our service area.