Menominee County, tribe team up for spring bulky-item cleanup

Menominee County and the Menominee Tribal community used the spring bulky-item cleanup to tackle a basic problem with outsized consequences: what happens when households on Menominee Tribal leased land and county land need to get rid of items too large for normal trash pickup. The county says the effort is not just about cleaner curbs and yards. It also supports a recycling program that brings in grant dollars, and officials warn that if residents do not participate, Menominee County and the Menominee Tribe could lose those funds and face possible tax increases.

The cleanup window ran Monday, April 7 through Friday, April 11, 2025, covering communities across the Menominee Indian Reservation and nearby county areas, including Keshena, Neopit, Zoar and Legend Lake. The flyer described the effort as a collaborative project between MITW Community Development and Menominee County, Town of Menominee. Residents were asked to place items at the curb in an organized way so crews could work efficiently and move through neighborhoods without delay.

Accepted items included furniture, household items, major appliances, metals and TV and electronics. Yard waste, hazardous material, concrete and paint were not accepted. Households with questions were directed to Community Development at 715-799-5155 or Jeremy Johnson at 715-799-5710. The county’s solid-waste page also says anyone needing trash or recycling carts on tribal land should contact Community Development at 715-799-5155, while people on county land should call Menominee County Land Conservation at 715-799-5710 x2.

Regular curbside collection remains a separate system. Menominee County says Harter’s Disposal handles curbside pickup and that large 95-gallon wheeled carts are mandatory for trash and recycling service. That makes the spring cleanup especially important for families with broken furniture, old appliances or bulky electronics that do not fit in the normal cart-based route. If residents miss the cleanup week, those items are not part of the special pickup and will have to wait for another legal disposal option.

The county highway department said in March 2024 that it annually participates with the tribe in a spring community-wide cleanup, and crews use trucks and trailers during cleanup week to pick up household items left on the curb. That local setup fits a broader tribal waste-management approach. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency says its Tribal Waste Management Program promotes recycling, recovery, reduction, cleanup and elimination of waste, along with technical assistance, training, funding, education and outreach for tribes. For Menominee County, the result is a practical service that helps cut illegal dumping, improve roadside conditions and reduce the costs of keeping shared spaces in order.