Materials Management Planning
About
On January 8, 2024, the Director of the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes & Energy (EGLE) initiated the process for each county to prepare Materials Management Plans, under legislation changes to Michigan Public Act 451, Part 115, which became effective March 29, 2023. This plan will replace the existing Livingston County Solid Waste Plan and transition from a solid waste disposal focus to a new materials management system geared toward seeking alternatives to landfilling, reducing environmental impacts, contributing to a circular economy, and identifying the highest and best use for all materials including recyclables, organics, and solid wastes.
Livingston County Board of Commissioners Resolution #2025-01-009 established the Materials Management Planning Committee (MMPC) as a permanent body in accordance with Part 115, Solid Waste Management, of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act, 1994 PA 451, as amended
Materials Management Planning Committee (MMPC)
The Committee advises and assists the county with its responsibilities to prepare, develop, and implement the Livingston County Materials Management Plan pursuant to Part 115.
The Livingston County MMPC meets monthly at the following location:
Livingston County Administration Building
Conference Room #1 – Lower Level
304 E. Grand River Avenue
Howell, MI 48823
SEMCOG Support of Materials Management Planning
At request of the seven counties in the Southeast Michigan region – Livingston, Macomb, Monroe, Oakland, St. Clair, Washtenaw and Wayne Counties – SEMCOG will be supporting the counties in their Materials Management Planning efforts.
MMPC Committee Membership
Who are the Materials Management Planning Committee members?
Materials Management Planning Committee Members
2025-2030 Committee Membership
- Solid waste disposal facility operator – Tim Krause, Director of Engineering – Granger Waste Services
- Managed material hauler – James Richey, Director, Account Management – Recycle Services
- Materials recovery facility operator – Julie Cribley, Executive Director – Recycle Livingston
- Compost or anaerobic digester facility operator – James Tuthill, General Manager – Tuthill Farms and Composting
- Waste diversion, reuse, or reduction facility operator – Eric Kohart, Recycling Center Coach – PADNOS Howell Recycling Center
- Environmental interest group – Sara Thomas, President – Livingston Land Conservancy
- Elected official of the County – Brian Jonckheere, Drain Commissioner – Livingston County Drain Commission
- Elected official of a township – Kathleen Horning, Treasurer – Hartland Township
- Elected official of a city or village – Jacob Schlittler, Mayor Pro Tem – City of Howell
- Individual that generates a managed material – Paul Sgriccia, P.E / Senior Consultant – PTS Consulting
- Regional planning agency (SEMCOG) – Nikki Hartley, Specialist, Government Affairs – Southeast Michigan Council of Governments (SEMCOG) – PENDING BOC APPROVAL
- Representative that does business in or resides in an adjacent community outside the planning area – Richard Burns, FESD / Project Consultant – FK Engineering Associates
- (Non-member, support personnel): SEMCOG MMPC Educational Coordinator – Bailee Pasienza, Environment & Infrastructure Planner – Southeast Michigan Council of Governments (SEMCOG)
MMPC Administration Information
MMPC Meeting Information, Notice of Intent, By-Laws and Work Plan
Materials Management Planning Committee Administrative Links
MMPC Committee Resources
Additional Resources
- EGLE Food Waste Reduction in Materials Management Planning – December 2025 Presentation
- Michigan Solid Waste Standards and Rules
- Materials Management Plans
- Materials Management Plan Requirements (EGLE)
- Materials Management Plan Format (EGLE)
- Materials Management Plan Approval Process (EGLE)
- County MMPC MMP Task Matrix (from County Work Plan)
- Mega Data Collection Project
- Southeast Michigan Materials Management Dashboard
- Michigan State University Center for Community Economic Development – lots of Circular Economy and Recycling Info here
- Catalyst Communities Initiative Webpage
- Catalyst Communities Webinar Recordings
- Local Leaders Webinar Series Recordings
- Catalyst Communities Materials Management Resources
- Michigan Green Communities Webpage
- MSU Domicology Website
- MSU Center for Economic Development, Regional Economic Innovation Website
- EGLE Domicology Video, An Alternative to Waste – A Deconstruction Story
- Detroit Blight Removal Task Force Plan
- EGLE Talking Trash Video Series
- EGLE Asbestos Website
- EGLE How Landfills Work Story Map
- Pacific Grove Recycling Website
- Federal Superfund Website
- Economic Impacts of Blight and a Circular vs Linear Paradigm
- Bonding to Address Blight and Change the Paradigm
- 2023 Energy Legislation, including PA 233 of 2023
- Insurance as a means to Address Blight and Change the Linear Paradigm
- Senate Bill 201 of 2025
- Architectural Salvage Warehouse of Detroit
- EGLE Renewable Energy Academy Online Recordings – Zoning for Renewables
- EGLE Partner Solar Energy Webinar Recordings & Fact Sheets
- EGLE Partner Wind Energy Webinar Recordings
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Materials Management?
The new Materials Management System will be geared toward seeking alternatives to landfilling, reducing environmental impacts, contributing to a circular economy, and identifying the highest and best use for all discarded materials including recyclables, organics, textiles, tires, wood, concrete, and other materials that are traditionally considered trash and landfilled.
What is the Circular Economy?
The Circular Economy is a model of production and consumption, which includes, but is not limited to sharing, leasing, reusing, repairing, refurbishing and recycling existing materials and products as long as possible. This way, the life cycle of products is extended and it implies reducing waste to a minimum.
More information can be found on the Michigan State University Domicology (the study of the circular economy) website.
Where can I view a copy of the existing Livingston County Solid Waste Plan?
Who can I contact for more information?
The primary contact for Livingston County is Robert Spaulding, DPW/Solid Waste Coordinator: Email – rspaulding@livgov.com
Where can I find out more information on the State's Materials Management process and requirements?
What entities have been identified as the County Approval Agency (CAA) and the Designated Planning Agency (DPA)?
The Livingston County Board of Commissioners has accepted the responsibilities of the CAA and the Livingston County Department of Planning will be carrying out the responsibilities of the DPA.
Who is the County Solid Waste Coordinator?
Robert A. Spaulding
Livingston County DPW Coordinator
2300 E. Grand River Ave. Suite 105
Howell, MI 48843
517-546-0040 Office
Can my community, staff, residents and business owners participate?
Yes! You can participate in the Materials Management Planning process in any or all of the following ways:
- Identify the primary elected officials and municipal staff contacts
- Attend stakeholder engagement session(s)
- Provide information and updates during the data collection and verification phase
- Complete an online survey during the public engagement period(s)
- Attend and/or provide comments at an upcoming Materials Management Planning Committee meeting(s)
- Participate in the 60-Day Public Comment Period (Written response or attend in person at a public hearing)
- Attend the Board of Commissioners (CAA) meeting where the MMP is adopted (Provide public comment)
What will my community be asked to do for the Livingston County Materials Management planning process?
Will my community be notified of Materials Management Planning Committee meeting?
Yes. As required by law, not less than 10 days before each public meeting at which the DPA will discuss the MMP, DPA will give notice of the meeting to the chief elected official of each municipality within the planning area and any other person within the planning area that requests notice. The notice shall indicate as precisely as possible the subject matter being discussed.
