Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Recycling Plan topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Regional material-management plan presented; Gratiot County recycling rate far below state benchmark
Summary
A regional Heartland Material Management Plan covering eight counties was presented; staff said Gratiot County's recycling rate is 12.1% compared with the state's 25% goal and invited local feedback during a 90‑day public comment period beginning the 21st.
A regional draft material-management plan covering Gratiot and seven neighboring counties was presented to the board for review and comment. The presenter described regional goals — mapping haulers, model contract language, drive-time analyses for drop-off sites, and an education/outreach program to increase recycling and organics diversion.
The presenter said Gratiot County's current recycling rate is 12.1% while the statewide benchmark target was 25% at the end of 2024. "Gratiot County, we are at, 12.1," the presenter said. Board members were asked to encourage municipalities to review the 140‑page draft when it is posted and to solicit feedback during the 90‑day public comment window that begins on the 21st.
Regional priorities listed included reducing food waste through organics collection, identifying at least one local drop-off site, and exploring partnerships with neighboring counties for hazardous household-waste and organics infrastructure. The presenter said the plan aims to move the region toward adoption in July 2027 and to replace an older solid‑waste plan that has not been updated since 2000.
