Keep It Neat Canton

Property Maintenance Guidelines
Ordinance Compliance Information

Help keep Canton beautiful by maintaining your property and reap the rewards of a safe and beautiful community.

For questions or more information on Canton Waste Recycling please call 734/397-5801.

Guidelines for the Canton Recycling Bin Use:

Glass:

Clear and brown glass food and beverage containers must be rinsed before placing them into the bin. All lids, neck rings, foil, and Styrofoam labels must be placed in the regular trash.  Light bulbs, green glass, ceramics, porcelain, and window glass will not be accepted.

Plastic:

Acceptable plastics include any plastic marked on the bottom with a 1 or 2.  Examples of products marked with a 1 are clear, squeezable containers like pop bottles.  Examples of products marked with a 2 include milk containers, water jugs, and laundry detergent bottles.  All plastic containers must be rinsed and flattened before placing them in the bin.  Please dispose of all lids and neck rings in the regular trash.  Plastics not marked with a 1 or 2, motor or cooking oil bottles, pesticide containers, Styrofoam, and plastic bags will not be accepted.

Cans:

Food and beverage cans must be rinsed with all labels removed before placing them into the bin.  Please stack smaller cans inside larger one with the lids in-between.  Clean aluminum foil can also be placed in the bin.  Paint cans, metal objects, pots, pans, siding, tubing, and framing will not be accepted.

Newspaper:

Only newsprint is recyclable. Please remove glossy inserts and bundle papers six inches thick and tie with twine or place in a paper bag before placing in the bin.  Glossy inserts, magazines, phone books, cardboard, and loose papers will not be accepted.  Please note that paper routes are commercial endeavors and are not covered under curbside recycling.

Always place your green recycling bin on the opposite side of your driveway as your trash, and make sure your address number and street name are on the bin. 

Spring is the perfect time to spruce up and clean up your property by following a few basic tips.

• Clean up - Rake away debris and get rid of weeds. Consider hand pulling large weeds instead of using an herbicide to help protect the environment. Keeping a well maintained yard will help identify and remove weeds more easily.
• Keep lawns, bushes, and trees trimmed and healthy. Any bushes, shrubs or trees encroaching on the sidewalk is an ordinance violation and must be cut back.
• Fertilize sparingly and caringly - Choose a fertilizer with low or no phosphorus or select an organic, slow release fertilizer. These environmentally friendly options help keep pollution out of lakes and rivers and protect water quality. For more environmentally friendly tips visit www.canton-mi.org/living_in/environment.aspx.
• Mow high - Keep mower blades sharp and balanced and don’t cut your lawn too short. A height of three to four inches will reduce insect damage, reduce water usage, and reduce runoff and leaching.
• Sweep it - Sweep all streets and sidewalk of grass clippings and fertilizer to keep pollution out of waterways.
• Dispose of yard waste properly - Compost season begins April 1 and runs through November. Grass clippings, leaves, and garden waste must be placed in 30 gallon paper yard waste bags or 32 gallon reusable containers with sturdy handles marked “COMPOST.” Stickers for reusable container are available at Canton’s Treasurers Office. View a complete list of trash and compost guidelines.
• Inspect it - Walk around your home and check for roofing problems, deteriorated siding, gutters, foundations, broken or cracked windows, torn screens, and deteriorated porches and steps. In addition, make sure you remove any accumulated trash or debris around your home.