Business Alert: Complete the MMP Business Survey to Shape Future Commercial Waste, Recycling, and Composting

Press ReleaseCommunity

Networks Northwest is calling on local businesses to respond to the Northwest Michigan Materials Management Planning Business Survey. Your input on commercial trash, recycling, and composting practices is essential and will be used to develop new goals and action plans for a more efficient and sustainable system. This planning effort is being conducted by Antrim County, Charlevoix County, and Manistee- Missaukee-Wexford Multi-County with assistance from Networks Northwest in response to new state requirements to prioritize waste diversion over traditional disposal.

This planning initiative is required under updates to Michigan’s Part 115 of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act, which directs counties to modernize their solid waste plans with a focus on Materials Management. The initiative represents a major shift from traditional landfilling toward innovative strategies for reuse, expanded recycling, and organics diversion. Recent data indicates that more than 100,000 tons of compostable and recyclable materials are landfilled each year in the region—underscoring a significant opportunity to improve recovery rates and reduce waste, particularly within the commercial sector.

“Community input and participation is important to any successful planning process,“ states Mathew Cooke, Community Planner at Networks Northwest. “We need to understand the challenges and needs of the business community. Feedback will assist with shaping how we manage commercial materials, ideally leading to more accessible and cost-effective recycling and composting options for businesses.”
 
  • Survey Link (approximately 5-10 minutes): https://bit.ly/MMPbizsurvey
  • Deadline: Friday, December 5, 2025
  • Confidentiality: Your individual business data is confidential and will only be used to generate aggregated totals for planning purposes.
 
Your completed response to the MMP Business Survey is a direct opportunity to influence future infrastructure, programs, and services. The survey collects information on the types and volumes of materials your business generates, the services you currently use, and the barriers you face with recycling or composting (e.g., cost, access, or lack of local programs). The resulting data will inform the Materials Management Planning Committees as they establish goals and develop an implementation strategy, which may include new public/private partnerships, expanded recycling programs, or increased access to food waste composting.

Business Alert: Complete the MMP Business Survey to Shape Future Commercial Waste, Recycling, and Composting