Land donation, state grant gets city of Holland closer to municipal recycling center

HOLLAND — The Holland City Council is moving forward with plans for a new $1.6 million municipal recycling center, approving a land transfer from a local industrial partner and accepting $1 million in state grant funding.

During its March 4 meeting, city council officials authorized a real estate conveyance agreement with recycling company Padnos Retail Inc. Under the terms of the deal, Padnos is donating a 1.5-acre parcel at the intersection of Chicago Drive and Lakewood Boulevard in Holland Township.

The site, which currently houses the Black River Recycling Center, will serve as a central drop-off point for materials not accepted in standard residential curbside bins, officials said. 

The council also formally accepted a $1 million recycling infrastructure grant from the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy. The reimbursement grant is part of a statewide initiative to increase collection capacity and recycling participation, according to city council meeting minutes.

Although the city originally budgeted $1.6 million for the project, construction costs are estimated at approximately $1.5 million.

Assistant City Manager Matt Van Dyken said residents using the Padnos property reduces the facility's operational footprint and offers easier access for both residents and commercial traffic.

The center is slated to accept a wide array of "hard-to-recycle" materials, including:

• Plastics and metals: Plastics Nos. 1, 2 and 5; scrap metal; and aluminum, steel and aerosol cans.
• Electronics and appliances: Hard drives for shredding, electrical cords and appliances with or without refrigerant.
• Household items: Mattresses, box springs, tires and expanded polystyrene foam.
• Specialty recyclables: All battery types, fluorescent bulb and seasonal boat shrink wrap.
• Organics: A food scrap bucket exchange program.

The project follows several years of deliberation by the Holland Recycling Task Force, which began studying options in 2021. The current plan serves as an alternative to a 2023 proposal for a site off Pine Avenue that would have been developed in partnership with Ottawa County.

The 2023 proposal was ultimately deemed unviable due to significant operational and financial hurdles. Feasibility studies and business plan consultations revealed that the site lacked the necessary infrastructure to manage the high volume and diversity of materials the city intended to collect, according to previous media reports

Furthermore, the Pine Avenue location would have required substantial municipal investment to transform the land into a functional facility capable of processing "hard-to-recycle" items. 

Van Dyken said the city expects to issue a request for proposals this spring. The facility is projected to open within 12 to 18 months.

— Heather VanDyke covers northern Ottawa County for the Ottawa News Network. Contact her at hvandyke@ottawanewsnetwork.org.