Kent County Adopts Flow Control Ordinance for Solid Waste

Kent County has amended its Solid Waste Management Ordinance to establish the materials management practice commonly known as “flow control” for municipal solid waste produced in its boundaries. A recommendation that emerged from the county’s Sustainable Business Park Advisory Group, the practice should provide the Kent County Department of Public Works (DPW) with additional means to reach its landfill diversion goals. Approved in November 2024, the ordinance introduces significant changes to local waste operations, prioritizing environmental responsibility and establishing new guidelines for the treatment, processing, and disposal of solid waste.

Flow control provides Kent County the authority to designate locations for the treatment, processing, and disposal of solid waste.  Disposal rates will be set by the county, along with penalties for non-compliance. Source-separated waste is exempt from the ordinance.

Countywide flow control has received mixed support from MiSBF members. The Forum conducted stakeholder engagement interviews and meetings as part of its West Michigan Materials Management Coalition project in 2023 and noted general support for DPW landfill diversion goals, but limited awareness of the flow control proposal specifically.  There was documented enthusiasm for DPW investments in other planning initiatives MiSBF supported in 2024, including the Grand Valley Metro Council’s West Michigan Climate Action Plan and City of Grand Rapids Climate Action and Adaptation Plan. 

Materials management businesses have expressed reservations about the ordinance, as it creates new fees and gives DPW authority to direct material to its preferred destination. This could increase operating costs for legacy materials management businesses when the ordinance goes into effect next year. 

A limited form of flow control exists in the “Metro Six” cities of Grand Rapids, East Grand Rapids, Grandville, Kentwood, Walker, and Wyoming.  Kentwood Mayor Stephen Kepley advocated on behalf of the Metro Six to the Kent County Board of Commissioners prior to the vote on November 21. 

Key Updates to the Ordinance:

• Focus on Sustainability: The ordinance emphasizes reuse, recycling, and energy recovery over traditional landfilling methods.
• County Oversight: Kent County gains authority to designate locations for the treatment, processing, and disposal of solid waste.
• Rate Setting and Compliance: Disposal rates will be set by the county, along with penalties for non-compliance to ensure accountability.
• Revenue for Landfill Diversion: Funds generated will support future initiatives aimed at reducing landfill dependency.
• Material Management: The county will have increased control over the recycling and disposal of specific materials, with exemptions for construction debris, appliances, and materials collected during community clean-up events.

Implementation Timeline:

The ordinance will take effect on February 6, 2025. However, the compliance date is set for January 1, 2026, to give stakeholders ample time to adapt to the new regulations.

Statewide Alignment:

By adopting the ordinance, Kent County aligns its policies with Michigan’s updated solid waste regulations, reaffirming its leadership in advancing sustainable waste management practices. Stakeholders are encouraged to engage with county officials and resources to navigate these changes effectively and collaboratively.

MiSBF Executive Director Daniel Schoonmaker represents the environmental community on the Kent County Materials Management Planning Committee, which met for the first time in November.  The committee is chartered to develop a Materials Management Plan to replace the current Solid Waste Management Plan, as obligated by the updated solid waste management law signed by Governor Whitmer in 2022.