Portage Transitions to New Waste Management Trash System

Waste Management takes over weekly trash and recycling pickup in Portage, Michigan under a controversial five-year contract.

Mar. 3, 2026 at 7:23am

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Portage, Michigan is transitioning to a new single-hauler trash and recycling system under a five-year contract with Waste Management starting on March 2, 2026. The decision to centralize trash pickup has sparked controversy, with some residents opposing the change and a special election on the matter scheduled for May 5. The new system aims to reduce costs and wear and tear on local streets, but critics argue it is government overreach.

Why it matters

Portage's decision to switch to a single-hauler trash and recycling system is a significant change that will impact all 16,000 households in the city. The move is intended to reduce costs and infrastructure damage, but has faced backlash from some residents who prefer the previous system with multiple providers to choose from.

The details

Under the new five-year contract, Waste Management will handle weekly trash and bi-weekly recycling pickup, as well as yard waste and bulk item pickup. The city previously had three trash removal companies that residents could choose from. The single-hauler system is set to take effect on March 2, 2026, but a special election on May 5 will allow residents to vote on whether to keep the new system or revert back to the previous model.

  • Waste Management won the city's trash and recycling contract in July 2025.
  • The new single-hauler system goes into effect on Monday, March 2, 2026.
  • A special election on the single-hauler system is scheduled for May 5, 2026.

The players

Waste Management

A major waste management and environmental services company that was awarded a five-year contract to handle trash, recycling, yard waste, and bulk item pickup in Portage, Michigan.

Take Back the Trash

A group of Portage residents that led an outspoken petition drive against the city's decision to switch to a single-hauler trash system, backed by the previous hauler Best Way.

Pat McGinnis

The Portage City Manager who stated that the single-hauler system is required by state law as an essential public service, and that the previous multiple-provider system had led to vastly different pricing for residents.

Mary Stillman

A Portage resident who criticized the single-hauler system as government overreach, arguing that residents should be able to choose their own trash service provider.

Best Way

The previous trash hauler in Portage that backed the "Take Back the Trash" petition drive against the city's decision to switch to Waste Management.

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What they’re saying

“I just think we need to be able to make our own decisions (on) how we want to spend our money.”

— Mary Stillman, Portage resident

“Ensuring that trash is picked up is a city's responsibility under state law, like drinking water, sewage lines, roads or police.”

— Pat McGinnis, Portage City Manager

What’s next

The special election on the single-hauler trash system is scheduled for May 5, 2026. If the anti-single-hauler ordinance passes, it could take up to five years before Portage reverts back to the previous multiple-provider system.

The takeaway

Portage's transition to a single-hauler trash and recycling system under a five-year Waste Management contract has sparked debate over government control versus resident choice. The city argues the change will reduce costs and infrastructure damage, while critics view it as overreach that should be decided by voters in the upcoming special election.