Help Reduce Landfill Waste
How Should I Dispose of...
Can You Imagine?
By reimagining the way we handle waste, we can generate change.
What we throw away in West Michigan:
What the trash we throw away is worth:
OUR GOAL: REDUCE LANDFILL WASTE 20% by 2020 and 90% by 2030.
Let Us Help You
Reimagine Your Trash
MEDICAL WASTE
Flushing or throwing away prescription drugs presents dangers by seeping into waterways.
ELECTRONICS
Small electronics can be recycled to divert potentially hazardous substances from the landfill.
APPLIANCES
Metal can be salvaged from your refrigerator, stove, washer, dryer and other large appliances.
BATTERIES
Utilize one of our partner battery drop-off sites that accept rechargeable batteries for recycling.
Reimagine Trash News
Renovation & Construction Waste Is Mounting!
Renovation, Construction & Demolition Waste Is Filling Landfills Faster Than You Think Thinking about renovating your kitchen? Is it time to replace your old deck? Do you need to replace your roof? As you’re planning your next home improvement project, don’t...
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The Cost of Recycling
Dear Resident, You may receive a notice from your recycling service provider explaining that the cost for your curbside recycling service will be increasing. The Kent County Department of Public Works (DPW) has operated the Kent County Recycling & Education Center...
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Resolve to recycle more in 2019
The new year is quickly approaching, which means many people are setting goals to go to the gym more, eat healthier or learn a new skill. One resolution our team at the Kent County Department of Public Works hopes you’ll consider in 2019 is to recycle more and reduce...
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6 Helpful Tips for Reducing Holiday Waste
The holiday season is here, which means it’s time for family gatherings, holiday parties and gift giving. While it’s a time for celebration and relaxation, it’s also an important time for reflection about the things we care for, including the environment. It’s...
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Kent County Board of Public Works Approves Department to Advance Sustainable Business Park Plan
At their regular meeting on October 6, 2018, the Kent County Board of Public Works approved a Master Plan for a Sustainable Business Park for 250 acres adjacent to the South Kent Landfill in Byron Center. The Sustainable Business Park Master Plan was created by local...
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ArtPrize Decon+Reuse Award
Abiding in the Shadow, on display at Amway Grand Plaza for the duration of ArtPrize Kent County DPW hosted the national Building Materials Reuse Association conference, September 19-21, 2018, and since it was the kickoff week for ArtPrize, we put together a cool map...
read moreFacts About Kent County Department of Public Works
The Waste to Energy Facility generates enough energy to continually power all the households in City of Walker.
DPW facilities recycle over 4,000 tons of steel every year, nearly enough to build the Gateway Arch in St. Louis.
The SafeChem program safely disposed of 152,800 pounds of chemicals from homes.
The methane captured at South Kent Landfill generates enough energy to power nearly 2,500 households.