Recycling Redux

New Fremont site opens February 6!
By Doug Harmon

So you  heard that after a nearly two year sabbatical  recycling was making a return to Fremont?
You heard right.
Months of talks and planning with multiple agencies and organizations will finally result in a recycling center for the Fremont area beginning on Wednesday February 6th from 1pm-5pm. The site will also be open on Saturdays from 9am-2pm beginning February 9th and, Mondays from 10am-1pm  beginning February 11th.

Thanks to the cooperative efforts involving  the Newaygo County Board of Commissioners, Newaygo County Board of Public Works, the Newaygo County Drain Commissioner, The City of Fremont,The Fremont Area Community Foundation, NCRESA, Cartright Recycling, 3R’s, The Newaygo County Road Commission and Paul Mellema of Fremont Mini Storage, the long awaited return will  come to fruition with a new spot for the local community to drop off their recyclables.
Paul Mellema has donated a location for the site at the Fremont Mini Storage  56th and M82/Stewart St in Fremont.  Access will be from 56th St. (5510 address).
The site will be fenced and have operating hours to help alleviate the volume and contamination problems of the past.

The new location will be a prototype center to determine  if fenced in areas, scheduled times of operation and knowledgeable volunteers will alleviate the contamination issues that continue to plague recycling efforts . Cameras will also cover the site 24/7 to assist in identifying dumping and illegal use.
Mellema storage has donated the land and a beautiful new office facility for volunteers to assist and educate users and now the Board of Public Works is reaching out to the community for volunteers to help run the center.
The BPW is also partnering with NCRESA with students in the Transition program at the Education and Activity Center  involved in the recycling efforts.
Should enough volunteers come forward the center would be able to increase the hours of operation.  For information on how to become a volunteer or any questions regarding recycling please contact the Newaygo County Board of Public Works at 231.689.7213

The former Fremont location saw significant abuse of illegal dumping including but not limited to, garbage, construction material, mattresses, used motor oil, flammable liquids, propane tanks and many other non-recyclable materials. This kind of illegal dumping prompted the closure of the Fremont site in 2017 as well as the former Hesperia site in 2016. The future success of the site will depend on the legal and appropriate use of the recycling center.

Want to help sustain recycling efforts in Newaygo County?
You can pitch in by making a contribution that will directly fund the drop off sites.
Please make checks payable to:
Fremont Area Community Foundation and write Newaygo County, recycle services in the memo line.
Checks can be mailed to: Fremont Area Community Foundation, 4424 W. 48th Street, Fremont, Michigan 49412.
You can also give online through the Community Foundation's website: facommunityfoundation.org.
Click on the "Give Today" button located at the top of the page. Please include Newaygo County, recycle services when asked the purpose of your gift.