The Kent County Department of Public Works has launched a “Reimagine Trash” project that may have a lot of impact on Dorr Township and Allegan County.

Darwin Baas, director of the department, made a presentation Tuesday evening to the Dorr Township Planning Commission. He said the strategic plan of the project is to reduce solid waste taken to landfills by 20 percent by the end of the year 2020 and by 90 percent by 2030.

“We believe we have a three-year window of opportunity here,” said Baas, who noted that the Kent County landfill currently has less than 20%, but efforts are making progress. “We need to change waste reduction from a linear to circular approach.”

He said a committed group of stakeholders, including Dorr Township Supervisor Jeff Miling, has been working on diverting waste and turning the landfill into a “sustainable business park” that takes in 250 acres. He introduced several business partners and sponsors in the project.

“We must change the trajectory for how we manage solid waste in West Michigan,” he said. Otherwise, the landfill in Kent County will be full by 2030.”

Once that landfill in Byron Township, which is used by Allegan County residents, can no longer operate, the trash and garbage will have to be handled by a site just across the county line in Dorr Township.

Baas said, “Seventy-five percent of what we’re putting into landfills today can be repurposed.

He did not elaborate further because he noted the significant business on the Planning Commission’s agenda. However, he promised to get back in touch and return to local meetings in the future.

COVER PHOTO: Kent County Department of Public Works Director Dar Baas speaks to members of the Dorr Township Planning Commission about a project to reduce the amount of refuse sent to the landfill.