Ottawa County could partner with Holland on new recycling center
OTTAWA COUNTY — Ottawa County may partner with the city of Holland for a new sustainability center.
Commissioners gave initial approval for a $1 million grant from the Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy toward the project during a finance and administration committee meeting Tuesday, Nov. 7.
Funds from the grant were initially slated for a new sustainability center on the campus of Grand Valley State University, but plans changed after commissioners postponed a vote on accepting the grant in March.
Kim Wolters, environmental health supervisor for the county, said having a new center in the city will help alleviate pressures on the existing center in Holland Township.
“That’s my busiest site,” Wolters said. “We’re always getting complaints ... that we need to have more hours because I only have one or two people out there that can’t service these long lines that we’re starting to get.”
By passing the grant to Holland, the county avoids any direct or ongoing costs to the county, which Administrator John Gibbs said was an initial concern with the proposal in Allendale.
More: Commissioners approve parks grant applications, delay approval for recycling center grant
“Sometimes free money can be very expensive,” Gibbs said Tuesday. "We were going to build our own new recycling center from scratch. We determined the cost would be a little bit prohibitive, if not upfront, then with ongoing (costs).
“When this partnership with Holland came up ... we thought it was a really good opportunity to have some synergy and cooperation there in a way that's a little bit more sustainable, financially."
Commissioners thanked Wolters for her cooperation.
“Thank you for your problem solving and your ability to pivot from one plan to this one,” said Commissioner Allison Miedema.
Dan Boersma, sustainability manager for Holland, told commissioners the site would be built along Pine Avenue, between Third Street and Fourth Street. The property is currently a city-owned forestry lot for storing logs, wood chips and other debris.
Subscribe: Receive unlimited digital access to your local news coverage
According to a presentation by Wolters, the new center would accept a variety of materials, including cardboard, glass, appliances, metals, batteries, light bulbs, cords, electronics, mattresses, styrofoam, shrink wrap, plastics and more.
The interlocal agreement will go to the full board for final approval, then to Holland City Council for approval. Once all parties have signed the agreement, it'll be presented to EGLE.
Wolters said Tuesday she's still interested in having a center in the Allendale area in the future.
— Contact reporter Mitchell Boatman at mboatman@hollandsentinel.com.
This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: Ottawa County could partner with Holland on new recycling center
