Oakland County's Materials Management Plan work program calls for data development, performance indicators, benchmarks, forecast modeling, a recycling-rate discussion, and a data-management action plan. Michigan reports a statewide recycling rate above 25% and continues to pursue higher recycling goals, but a county system can also be judged by landfill diversion, contamination, household access, costs, greenhouse-gas effects, or resident experience. A performance indicator such as a diversion rate can emphasize one dimension of success. Choosing metrics matters because the system will tend to prioritize outcomes that officials repeatedly measure and report. A target changes behavior only when everyone agrees what counts. Tons recycled are important, but a system can improve one number while getting more expensive, less convenient, or dirtier.