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Ottawa County, MI Trash & Recycling: Recycling Requirements (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified July 2026

Key Facts

Mandatory?
No; voluntary program
County ordinance
Solid Waste Ordinance
Membership cost
About $36-$100
Accepted
Bottles, paper, cardboard, glass, metal
Not accepted
Plastic bags

Summary

Recycling in Ottawa County is voluntary, not mandated. The county's Solid Waste Ordinance promotes resource recovery, and residents can join a paid Environmental Sustainability Center membership; Holland offers curbside recycling carts.

These county ordinances apply to unincorporated areas of Ottawa County. Incorporated cities within the county may have their own rules that take precedence over county-level regulations.

The Ottawa County Solid Waste Ordinance serves that purpose for the implementation of Ottawa County's Materials Management Plan. The ordinance focuses on: ... Promoting resource recovery and recycling.

Full Breakdown

Ottawa County does not mandate household recycling. Its Solid Waste Ordinance, adopted to implement the county Materials Management Plan under Part 115 of PA 451 of 1994, promotes resource recovery and recycling. Residents may buy a Residential Recycling Membership at an Environmental Sustainability Center, priced from about $36 for three months to $100 per year, accepting plastic bottles, paper, cardboard, glass and metal cans; plastic bags are not accepted. The City of Holland provides curbside recycling carts through its Board of Public Works. Townships vary.

Violations & Fines

There is no penalty for not recycling, but contaminating a recycling cart or center load can lead to rejected material or extra charges.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is recycling required in Ottawa County?
No. Recycling is voluntary. The county promotes it through its Solid Waste Ordinance and offers paid Sustainability Center memberships, and Holland provides curbside recycling carts.
What can I recycle in Ottawa County?
Plastic bottles and containers, paper, flattened cardboard, clear and colored glass, and steel, tin and aluminum cans. Plastic bags are not accepted at the centers.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Ottawa County

All Ottawa County rules

Compare Ottawa County to another location·View the Michigan trash & recycling overview

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