After a five-week closure, Kent County began accepting recyclables again on May 4. The recycling drop-off stations at North Kent Recycling and Waste Center and the Recycling and Education Center reopened for business as well.
The Kent County Department of Public Works closed those drop-off stations and stopped accepting inbound loads of recyclables on March 27 to protect workers from COVID-19.
Since the shutdown, Grand Rapids has continued to pick up recyclables as scheduled. Instead of taking it to the Recycling and Education Center for normal sorting and processing, the material was diverted to the county’s Waste to Energy Facility for incineration.
“We thank residents who have stored their recyclables during the shutdown for their patience and commitment to recycling and reducing the amount of waste that ends up in landfills,” said Kristen Wieland, spokesperson for the county’s DPW. “We encourage anyone with recyclables piling up in their garages to begin putting them out at the curb for collection now that we’re operating again.”
Measures to protect the recycling center’s 40 workers from coronavirus infection include pre-screening staff, increased cleaning frequency at work stations, staggering work stations to meet social distancing rules and increased personal protective gear, according to the DPW.