As part of your monthly City of Clare Utility bill, Waste Management (W.M.I.) provides curbside garbage collection services to single-family residents.  Residential garbage collection is Thursday and the materials must be placed to the curb prior to 6:00 a.m. If the W.M.I. truck goes by your home after 6:00 a.m. and your refuse was not at the curb, they will not make a return trip to collect it.

The following regulations affect garbage pick-up:

While there is not a weekly bag limit, residents are reminded that W.M.I. does not collect loose or boxed trash . ALL trash must be bagged.

Recycle bins are available at Clare City Hall.  Limit one recycle bin per household.

Listings for qualified bulk items and acceptable recycling items can be found here .

Appliances are picked up by appointment only.  All freon must have been removed by a licensed extractor.  Please call 989/386-7541 x201 to schedule an appliance pickup.

Special regulations: As of November 1, 2004, Michigan communities must comply with Public Act 34 through Public Act 44 of 2004. These acts deal with what is and is not acceptable in landfills. City of Clare residents are prohibited from disposing of the following items in their weekly trash collection:

• Beverage Containers 1 Gallon or Less in Size This includes soft drink or other carbonated beverages, soda water, mineral water, purified water, beer ale, or other malt drink of any alcoholic content, mixed wine drink, mixed spirit drink, wine coolers, etc. If a deposit was paid on a beverage container, it can be returned for a refund. If a deposit was not paid on the beverage container, the container should be recycled. If beverage containers are found in your household trash for landfill collection, the refuse will not be taken until the resident removes recyclables from the trash.
• Construction Materials containing Asbestos Construction materials containing asbestos must be disposed of at a licensed disposal site. For information about removal of asbestos by homeowners, go to: www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/pubs/453.html .
• Construction Materials No construction materials may be placed at the curb with household refuse. Clare residents who have a valid building permit may contract for a dumpster to dispose of construction materials, or you may contact Northern Oaks Landfill at (989) 539-6111 to make arrangements to take your materials to the landfill yourself for a fee.
• Lead Acid Batteries (Automotive Batteries) City residents may bring used automotive batteries to the Clare Department of Public Works, Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. You must show proof of residency (such as a driver's license) before leaving the battery at the DPW.
• Liquid Waste, Regulated Hazardous Waste, and Low-level Radioactive Waste Go to www.michigan.gov/deqwaste and select the type of waste you need to dispose of for more detailed information, or call the Environmental Assistance Center at 800/662-9278 Monday through Friday, 8 a.m to 5 p.m.
• Medical Waste Residents having medical waste such as used needles and syringes should be registered with the waste hauler for collection of such items. If you have medical waste, please call Cathy at 989/386-7541, extension 201, to be registered for medical waste collection. This will not raise your refuse collection charges, but it will protect the waste hauler. The needles and syringes must be placed in an empty container such as a coffee can, laundry detergent bottle, or bleach bottle. When the container is full, tape the lid down with heavy duct tape or packaging tape. Mark the container with a permanent marker to indicate "MEDICAL WASTE" or "SHARPS CONTAINER" and place with the regular household refuse.
• Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCB's) Fluorescent light ballasts and other devices containing PCB's may never be placed to the curb. For disposal information on any devices containing PCB's, please contact the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 5 office at 312/886-7061.
• Tires When you buy new tires, the seller will often charge a small fee per tire to dispose of the old tire. We encourage you to take advantage of this service, as tires may not be taken to the landfill.
• Used Motor Oil and/or Antifreeze City residents may bring used motor oil and/or antifreeze (please do NOT mix them) to the Clare Department of Public Works Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. You must show proof of residency (such as a driver's license) before leaving the oil or antifreeze at the DPW