Department of Public Health

Recycling

Environmental Health specialists work to provide Ottawa County residents with information about hazardous materials and recycling. Proper disposal at Environmental Sustainability Centers help prevent water pollution, which may lead to serious health risks. For a fee, Ottawa County offers residential recycling at the Environmental Sustainability Centers.

• 12 months: $100
• 9 months: $85
• 6 month: $65
• 3 month: $36

More information is available on the membership form. For additional recycling information call 616-393-5645.

Back to Top

Household Hazardous Waste Program

Improper disposal can contaminate. FREE household hazardous waste disposal is available to Ottawa County residents at any Environmental Sustainability Centers. Household hazardous wastes are leftover, unwanted or unusable products that contain toxic, flammable, caustic (causes burns) or chemically reactive ingredients.

Health hazards may occur when:

• toxic gasses are inhaled from mixed products
• hazardous products are left around the house and consumed by children or pets
• hazardous products are poured into drains or toilets, causing contamination of septic tanks or wastewater treatment systems
• hazardous products are poured into storm sewers and pollute bodies of water
• drinking water from wells or water systems are contaminated

Scrap Tire Recycling

Scrap Tires are a known environmental hazard due to the ability to be breeding grounds for mosquitoes which can spread diseases, fire hazards that are difficult to extinguish, and can also causes soil and water contamination. Recycled tires can be used for items like playground cover, fuel, drainfield aggregate, and road construction materials.

Ottawa County's Environmental Sustainability Centers will be collecting scrap tires at all four centers by appointment only starting May 3rd , 2021 during fair weather months. We are unable to accept tires without an appointment.

• All tires must be free of any dirt, debris, and water
• Residental Tires ONLY
• Scrap tire fee is $2 until the end of August or until the grant limit is reached
• Scrap tire will be $6 at the start of September or until the grant limit is reached
• Residents are limited to 10 tires per appointment
• All tires must be free of dirt, water, and debris
• NO tractor, airplane, or semi-truck tires will be accepted
• Any nonconforming tire will not be accepted
• Residents must be willing and able to assist in the unloading of tires
• Centers accept credit card payments only
• Cash or check payments must be done in advance at the Holland Department of Public Health at 12251 James St. Suite 200, Holland, MI 49424. Bring the receipt with you at your appointment.

Back to Top

Composting

Ottawa County now offers food waste drop-off locations at all Environmental Sustainability Centers starting May 2nd, 2022. Composting is the braking down of organic matter that creates a naturally fertile soil that can be used to feed plants.

Composting Options

• 1 bag for $5
• 3 bags for $12
• Monthly bin exchange program for $40 (up to 5 bins a time unlimited exchanges-liners included)

All food waste accepted. No yard waste.

Composting Application

There Are Many Reasons to Compost

• Natural way to feed plants
• Increase water retention
• Reduce usable materials sent to landfills
• Reduce Greenhouse Gases
• Helps create stronger plants and soil
• Decreases soil erosion

To put it simply...it's better for the environment!

Back to Top

Consumer Electronics & Scrap Metal

Electronics often contain hazardous materials that should not be landfilled or incinerated. They also contain precious metals, glass, and plastics that should be recycled. Donating or recycling electronics at any Environmental Sustainability Centers, conserves natural resources and avoids air and water pollution. Computer equipment can also be recycled at any local Goodwill location.

Projection TVs, CRT TVs and CRT Computer Monitors

The Ottawa County Environmental Sustainability Centers accept projection TVs, Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) TVs and CRT computer monitors for a fee.

• 30" and smaller: $10
• 30" and larger: $20
• Only credit/debit card payments accepted.
• Recyclers MUST be able to assist in unloading. If you cannot, please return with someone who can help.

If you are not sure whether your items qualify for recycling, please call (616) 393-5645 or email environmentalhealth@miottawa.org for more information.

Locations accepting these items for a FEE:

Comprenew
11379 East Lakewood Blvd
Holland (616) 355-4229
(Charges are based on screen size.)

Best Buy
Click Here For Accepted Items
3549 W. Shore Dr
Holland (616) 738-4183

4830 Wilson Ave SW
Grandville (616) 532-2024

5425 Harvey St
Muskegon (231) 798-6407
(Size limits may apply)

Back to Top

Small Businesses & Farms

We provide confidential, non-regulatory assistance and referral to properly manage industrial hazardous wastes. Our Conditionally Exempt Small Quantity Generator program provides environmentally safe and economical disposal of hazardous waste at any of our Resource Recovery Service Centers. Appointments are required and a fee for services will apply. A conditionally exempt small quantity generator is one who creates less than 220 pounds of hazardous waste in a month or accumulates no more than 2,200 pounds total at a time.

Clean Sweep Free Pesticide Disposal

Clean Sweep is a FREE, non-regulatory program to help you safely dispose of banned and/or unusable pesticides or herbicides. Any Michigan homeowner, farm, greenhouse, nursery, golf course or other end user of pesticides or herbicides can use this service. Old, unwanted, out-of-date or unusable pesticides or herbicides can be dropped off (free of charge) for safe disposal at one of our Environmental Sustainability Centers.

Back to Top

Medical Waste

Prevent drug misuse and overdose. Free disposal of unwanted or expired prescription drugs and over the counter medications are accepted at participating locations. Please remove pills from bottles and place in a sealable plastic bag. Liquids or gels may be kept in original packages with the labels blackened or removed.

Sharps

Safe disposal of needles help prevent exposure to serious diseases, such as HIV and hepatitis. Free Home Use-Medical Sharps containers are available to residents at any Ottawa County Department of Public Health office. Once containers are full, you may exchange them for new ones at our offices. Only sharps containers provided by the Ottawa County Department of Public Health will be accepted. We dispose full containers through a licensed medical waste disposal company, to reduce any health or safety risks.

For sharp collection locations and times please contact our Environmental Health Department at 616-393-5645 or email enviornmentalhealth@miottawa.org.

Back to Top