A Michigan county’s plan will integrate sustainable waste solutions, address solid waste management issues and meet new statewide regulatory waste management requirements.
St Clair County in Michigan has selected global professional services firm HDR to develop a countywide materials management plan. The plan will integrate sustainable waste solutions, address current solid waste management concerns and meet Michigan’s new statewide regulatory waste management requirements.
HDR, which is headquartered in Omaha and has offices throughout the US and globally, is conducting analysis of the county’s current solid waste management practices and infrastructure to identify opportunities for improvement and innovation. Based on the findings, HDR will develop and propose a series of solutions aligning with county requirements and regulations as well as provide support throughout implementation.
In 2024 the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) initiated a process that requires each county to prepare a materials management plan in lieu of previously required solid waste management plans. This change represents a significant shift in thinking and planning, from waste and landfill management to sustainable materials management focused on resource recovery, waste reduction and recycling.
Speaking last year, Phil Roos, director of the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy, said: “It’s imperative that we move toward a sustainable future, not only to ensure that our children and grandchildren enjoy the wonders of the Great Lakes State, as we have, but to continue leading in a rapidly changing economic landscape.”
HDR project manager Lara Zawaideh commented: “The shift represented by EGLE Part 115 reflects the circular economy transition we’re seeing across the US. From extended producer responsibility regulations in Colorado and Maryland to Minnesota’s Hennepin County targeting a 90% diversion rate, the approach to waste management is evolving. It’s exciting to partner with St Clair County to redefine its approach to materials management well into the future.”