LAKETOWN TWP., MI (WHTC-AM/FM, Mar. 13, 2026) – Something stinks south of Holland, and Laketown Township wants something done about it.
Last week, the municipality’s attorney, Ron Bultje, submitted a letter to Republic Services, citing numerous complaints from residents about ongoing odors coming out of the Cocoa Corporation composting operations on Republic’s property off of 60th Street, between the I-196 and US-31 overpasses. The smell is the strongest when large piles of composting material, known as windrows, are turned during weekdays, as required under state law.
The operation has been in place for more than a decade, and for the last two to three years, the odors have increased in intensity. Pledges made in 2015 by Cocoa to cover the compost piles have not been followed through. State Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy inspectors were at the site last summer and found no violations.
The letter asked Republic to advise the township of what plans it will take to be in compliance with the planned unit development agreement that allowed the composting operation to exist, and said that the municipality may decide to take enforcement and other legal action to protect itself and its residents if the issue is not dealt with.
Republic has received the letter, according to township officials, but no mention has been made of any ensuing action taken as a result thus far.
Comments