Grand Traverse County will host several collection and recycling events this year to help residents dispose of unwanted items. Among the collection services that will be offered:

Hazardous Waste: Staff are now taking appointments for the first 2015 Household Hazardous Waste collection event on Thursday, March 26. GT County residents can dispose of up to 150 pounds of material at no charge, with additional disposal costing $1.30 per pound. Qualifying materials include those labeled with the terms "caution," "toxic," "corrosive," "pesticide," "combustible," "poison," "flammable," "warning" and "danger." Other Household Hazardous Waste collection dates this year will include May 28, August 27 and October 10. To schedule an appointment, click here.

Tire: A Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) grant will cover county tire disposal costs of up to $6,000 this year. The award will accommodate residents disposing of up to seven tires each by appointment on August 7 and 8. Residency must be verified prior to disposal.

Battery: A new drop-off location for household battery recycling has opened at 6042 Acme Road in Williamsburg. The site becomes the sixth in the county to accept single-use alkaline and rechargeable batteries, cellphones and ink cartridges. (Other locations can be found here.) The service is for residents only; businesses can utilize the Household Hazardous Waste events to recycle batteries. Residents are asked to tape 9-volt battery terminals prior to drop-off to prevent terminals from touching.

Brush: Weather and site conditions permitting, the county's Keystone Brush Drop-Off site will open for the season on Tuesday, April 7 at 2471 N. Keystone Road. The site will remain open through the summer and fall on Tuesdays from 12-7pm and Thursdays and Saturdays from 9am-3pm.