Where Genesee County Puts Its Recycling Center Matters
Old paint, broken electronics and household chemicals all need somewhere to go. Genesee County’s proposed Recycling and Education Center would give residents a place to bring those materials throughout the year.
The proposed location is 609 Chavez Drive, the former McDonald Dairy property beside the Flint River. The facility would collect household materials and temporarily store them before they leave for recycling, treatment or disposal elsewhere. It would also offer education programs.
People Powered Flint supports better access to recycling and safe household waste disposal. We’re asking the County to choose a different location and include affected residents in that decision.
In its October 2 FAQ, the County explained that it selected the property for its central location, freeway access and opportunity to redevelop a blighted site. It said two other properties were considered but couldn’t be acquired.
Residents deserve to see that comparison. Which properties were considered? How were environmental conditions, surrounding neighborhoods and other possible uses of the riverfront weighed?
The County has completed environmental assessments and described planned safeguards. Its FAQ includes a curbed, sealed collection room floor, a catch basin, spill alarms and staff training.
Questions remain about the review behind the location choice. Asked how environmental racism, demographics and health equity were considered, the County’s FAQ pointed to access to a dense population and said no additional analysis was available.
The FAQ also says materials would be accepted in residential quantities and that storage time would depend on the material and amount collected. Those answers don’t identify the maximum total amount that could be stored onsite as household drop offs accumulate.
Residents need clear answers about that total, emergency safeguards and how their input can still influence the project. A service for the entire county should be planned with the Flint community being asked to host it.
The latest petition count available on October 13 was 398 verified signatures. People Powered Flint is asking commissioners to pause further construction commitments and ground disturbance at this location, publish a comparison of alternatives and involve affected residents in choosing another site.
The next Genesee County Commissioners meeting is October 14, 2026 at 530 pm
Email, call and show up to speak out.
To support that request, sign and share the petition:
https://www.change.org/Stopflintrecyclingcenter
Sources: Genesee County Recycling & Education Center FAQ, updated October 2, 2026, pp. 1 -4; May 18, 2024 Phase I Environmental Site Assessment, site description; Change.org petition, latest count retrieved October 13, 2026.