Bags of yard waste shown in an MLive file photo.Heather Jordan | MLive.com

KALAMAZOO, MI -- The city of Kalamazoo’s seasonal waste programs will start in April to help Kalamazoo residents clean up after winter and maintain their properties during the summer months.

Monthly curbside collection of yard waste is available from April through October, and city residents can take advantage of two free drop-off days for bulk trash items in April, the city of Kalamazoo said in a news release.

Curbside collection of yard waste starts in April each year with the “Spring Clean-Up.” This collection allows residents to clear brush, branches, and twigs from their yards, as well as get rid of any leaves that have fallen or needed to be stored over the winter.

The Spring Clean-Up takes place on the same day of the month that bulk trash collection would occur (for example, it is the first Thursday for some residents). Items placed out for collection during the Spring Clean-Up must be in biodegradable bags, bundled with twine, or in open cardboard boxes so staff can see the contents.

Kalamazoo’s monthly brush collection program starts in May and runs through October. The brush program collects branches, sticks, and twigs that are bundled, in biodegradable bags, or in open cardboard boxes. Brush collection occurs monthly from May through October on the day of the month that bulk trash would occur. Residents should note that leaves are not accepted during the brush program.

Neither program accepts loose piles of material, rocks, dirt, soil, concrete or construction materials. Material that is not accepted must be removed from the curb lawn within two days or it may result in corrective action, the city said.

Missed collections must be reported within 48 hours by calling 311, or at www.kalamazoocity.org/report.

City residents can download the free Recycle Coach app for iOS and Android devices and get customized reminders of when their collection days are. More information on the Spring Clean-Up and brush programs (including the schedule), is available at www.kalamazoocity.org/brush.

Two free bulk trash drop-off days are also available to help city residents with spring cleaning. Residents can take bulky trash items to Republic Services at 3432 Gembrit Circle for free disposal from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 13, and from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturday, April 16.

The same materials that are accepted through the city’s curbside program are accepted at the drop-off days. Proof of residency will be required.

Curbside bulk trash collection is underway this month as well, and the next collection will be in June. More information on the curbside bulk trash program is available at www.kalamazoocity.org/bulktrash.

Litter, trash, junk and debris on a property is considered a nuisance and may result in fines if not addressed, the city said. City ordinance requires property owners to keep their properties free of trash and litter. Violations could incur a $77 fine, and if the issue is not corrected within 10 days a crew will clean up the property on the owner’s behalf and bill the property owner for the cost.

Enforcement of ordinances related to yard litter and debris will begin on Monday, April 4, the city said.

Residents can report trash violations and other issues to city staff by calling 311, or visiting www.kalamazoocity.org/report.

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