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   Kent County Department of Public Works seeks public’s input on waste, recycling plan
Materials Management Plan to guide priorities for waste management
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Kent County Department of Public Works (DPW) is seeking the public’s input on the management of waste and recycling in Kent County.
As part of its materials management planning process, a public commenting period is now open for Kent County residents to review the draft Materials Management Plan and provide feedback.
The state of Michigan called for updated Materials Management Plans from each county in the state. The plans outline sustainable strategies for waste management, establish recycling goals and promote solutions for diverting waste from landfills. Once finalized, the plan will replace the current Kent County Solid Waste Management Plan and establish a new framework for managing solid waste, recyclables, organics and other materials in Kent County.
“The DPW is a leader in innovative waste management, and our draft Materials Management Plan reflects our community’s priorities of reducing landfill waste and increasing recycling,” said Dar Baas, director of the DPW. “We invite Kent County residents to review the outlined goals and strategies in the plan and provide their feedback as we work together toward continued responsible, environmentally friendly waste management in our county.”
In 2024, the DPW established a Materials Management Planning Committee that worked together to establish priorities and goals for Kent County. A draft of the county’s Materials Management Plan can be found online.
Kent County’s plan outlines how the area can increase recycling and diversion of waste from landfills, expand access to services, protect public health, conserve natural resources, reduce environmental impacts and support the long-term development of a circular economy throughout Kent County.
The public comment period is open until Monday, Nov. 30. Comments can be submitted through an online form.
The DPW will hold multiple open house events for residents to get more information about the draft plan:
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8-10 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 29
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12-2 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 12
- Kentwood Community Center, 4755 Walma Ave SE, Kentwood, MI 49512
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6-8 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 18
- Kent County Recycling & Education Center, 977 Wealthy St SW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503
The Board of Public Works will hold a public hearing on the draft plan during its Thursday, Nov. 5 meeting and vote on approval of the plan on Thursday, Dec. 3.
Following approval by the Board of Public Works, the draft will be considered by the Kent County Board of Commissioners and then by local municipalities in the county before it is submitted to the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy for final approval.
The Kent County Department of Public Works provides municipal solid waste disposal services to ensure the effective removal, storage and disposal of residential and commercial solid waste through various facilities and programs, including Waste-to-Energy, the Recycling and Education Center, North Kent Transfer Station and South Kent Landfill.
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