PADNOS Elevates Stormwater Compliance at Padnos Turner Recycling Center Using FODS® Trackout Control Mats Supplied by Interface H2O
With more than a century of leadership in sustainable material recovery, PADNOS continues to set industry benchmarks for environmental compliance and operational innovation. The latest advancement comes at its LP Turner and LP Front Street Recycling Centers in Grand Rapids, Michigan, where the company has deployed the FODS Trackout Control System to meet and exceed the sediment control requirements outlined in its Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) under Michigan’s Industrial Stormwater General Permit.
The FODS system—provided by Interface H2O, a Michigan-based environmental solutions distributor—is engineered to remove sediment from vehicle tires. This installation not only supports PADNOS’s regulatory commitments under the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE), but also reflects the company’s broader mission to reduce environmental impact through innovation and responsible operations.
A Legacy of Innovation
PADNOS was founded in 1905 by Louis Padnos, who began collecting and reselling scrap materials in West Michigan. Over the past 120 years, the company has evolved into a regional powerhouse in the recycling industry, processing ferrous and non-ferrous metals, paper, plastics, and electronics across more than 30 locations statewide. With a legacy rooted in resource efficiency, PADNOS has consistently adapted its practices to meet the environmental and regulatory expectations of each era.
Today, this legacy is reflected in its advanced compliance strategies, including rigorous stormwater management programs. As part of its ongoing commitment to environmental stewardship, PADNOS has proactively adopted best management practices (BMPs) that go beyond minimum state requirements.
Trackout Control in SWPPP Compliance
Under EGLE’s stormwater permitting program, industrial facilities are required to develop and maintain an SWPPP that identifies potential pollutant sources and outlines specific control measures to prevent contaminated runoff from leaving the site. Trackout from vehicle tires is a recognized source of sediment and industrial pollutants, particularly for facilities handling scrap metals and bulk materials.
The LP Turner and LP Front Street Recycling Centers experience significant vehicular traffic from commercial haulers, industrial clients, and the public. To mitigate sediment tracking and support EGLE compliance, PADNOS replaced its conventional aggregate-based trackout pad with the FODS Trackout Control System, marking a shift toward more sustainable and performance-driven infrastructure.
About the FODS System
The FODS (Foreign Object Debris System) Trackout Control Mat is an engineered, surface-mounted solution made from high-density polyethylene (HDPE). Its patented pyramidal design flexes vehicle tires laterally as they pass over the mat, dislodging dirt, mud, and debris that would otherwise be tracked onto public roads or washed into stormwater systems.
Each mat measures 12' x 7', and the modular design allows for site-specific configurations. The Black River site uses a 28' x 12' configuration to accommodate outbound traffic. Unlike gravel pads that require constant replenishment and grading, FODS mats are reusable for over a decade, easy to clean, and fully recyclable at the end of their service life.
Interface H2O: Technical Distributor and Project Partner
PADNOS sourced the FODS system from Interface H2O, a leading distributor of stormwater, erosion control, and construction site compliance technologies based in Zeeland, Michigan. With deep experience serving industrial clients across the state, Interface H2O provided critical support through the design, delivery, and implementation process.
Interface H2O advised PADNOS on anchoring methodology, site-specific sizing, and inspection protocols, while also providing on-site training for operations and environmental staff. The collaboration ensured the FODS mats were not only installed to specification but also supported with appropriate documentation practices for ongoing EGLE compliance.
Measurable Results and Positive Feedback
Since the FODS system was installed, PADNOS has observed several operational and environmental improvements:
- Sediment Control: Sediment accumulation at the site perimeter and along nearby roadways has significantly decreased, reducing the need for street sweeping.
- Maintenance Efficiency: The mats are cleaned on a scheduled basis using a skid steer and mechanical sweeper, requiring less labor and material than gravel-based entrances.
- Regulatory Alignment: Weekly inspections and sediment depth tracking are documented and integrated into the facility’s SWPPP, in accordance with EGLE’s MiEnviro reporting requirements.
- Durability: The surface-mounted mats have maintained structural integrity through heavy truck traffic and spring freeze-thaw cycles, demonstrating resilience and long-term cost savings.
These outcomes support PADNOS’s environmental goals while also delivering operational efficiency, making the FODS system a high-value investment.
A Model for Industry-Wide Adoption
With the success of the Grand Rapids, Michigan, installation, PADNOS is evaluating additional sites for future deployments of the FODS system. Facilities with similar traffic volumes and exposure to sensitive water bodies—such as those in Grand Rapids, Muskegon, and Traverse City—are prime candidates.
Interface H2O, which services clients across Michigan and the Midwest, anticipates broader adoption of FODS technology in industrial sectors where regulatory pressure, sustainability goals, and long-term cost considerations intersect.
Broader Impacts for Communities and Industry
Cleaner Communities
By reducing sediment trackout, the system keeps local roads cleaner and reduces the burden on municipal stormwater systems.
Regional Water Quality
Protecting the Black River and its downstream connections to Lake Macatawa and Lake Michigan aligns with ongoing watershed protection efforts led by regional coalitions and public agencies.
Leadership in Industry Compliance
PADNOS’s implementation sets an example for others in the recycling, waste management, and construction sectors—proving that operational efficiency and environmental protection can go hand in hand.
FODS in Context: A Growing Solution
The integration of the FODS Trackout Control System at the LP Turner and LP Front Street Recycling Centers—delivered in partnership with Interface H2O—demonstrates a practical and forward-thinking approach to stormwater compliance. More than just a regulatory requirement, it represents an investment in the environmental integrity of West Michigan’s waterways and a continuation of the PADNOS tradition: combining innovation with responsibility.
With more than 100 years of recycling leadership behind it, PADNOS is once again setting a standard—this time for how industrial facilities can manage stormwater runoff, reduce pollution, and deliver measurable environmental outcomes.
ABOUT FODS, LLC.
Based in Centennial Colorado, FODS is working to replace ineffective and costly traditional rock stabilized construction entrances, saving you time and money. Our proprietary mat design works to effectively remove debris from your vehicle tires without damaging the tire or the ground’s surface. FODS Vehicle Trackout Controls BMP mats are 100% Made In the USA and 100% recyclable.
To find out more information on how we can help your project stay on schedule and in compliance contact 844-968-3541 or email us at info@getfods.com.
