A recycling center in Kent County, Michigan, has closed temporarily due to structural damage caused by a buildup of cardboard recycling that pushed through the building’s sidewall, Fox 17 reports.
In a news release, the Kent County Department of Public Works (DPW) announced all tours and education programming at the Kent County Recycling and Education Center (REC) would be canceled indefinitely. However, DPW did not give an indication as to when the center might re-open.
The incident, which is currently under administrative review, took place March 20 and left an exterior wall and support beam damaged. The DPW says no one was injured.
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“The health and safety of our employees and customers is our number one priority,” Dar Baas, director of the Kent County DPW, says in a release. “We’re gathering a full assessment of the damage and will only reopen once repairs are made, and we know it’s safe for workers and visitors to enter.”
Fox 17 reports structural engineers have evaluated the damages and are making plans for repairs.
Kent County’s REC serves as the primary materials recovery facility for residential recyclables generated throughout West Michigan. All incoming material will be diverted to the county’s waste-to-energy facility until the REC is fully operational.
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