Michigan awards more than $5 million in grants to expand recycling efforts
LANSING – For the third year in a row, Michigan’s recycling rate has hit a record-high, according to the Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy.
Michigan’s recycling rate has risen from about 14% before 2019 to over 23% now. Officials say they expect the state will reach a 30% recycling rate by 2029.
According to the most recent figures from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the national recycling rate is currently 32% with a goal to increase that number to 50% by 2030.
The state department aims to further expand recycling access with over $5 million in new grants to support projects in Metro Detroit, Genesee County, Lansing, Southwest Oakland County, Isabella County, Van Buren County, Marquette County, Sterling Heights and Madison Heights.
Genesee County is set to receive $900,000 to establish its first-ever countywide recycling drop-off center.
Related:
- Ann Arbor hopes to bring rooftop solar to the masses by creating a utility
- Michigan’s controversial wind, solar energy law is in effect. What to know
- Local governments take aim at Michigan’s wind, solar law in new lawsuit
Cody Roblyer, the lead planner for the Genesee County Metropolitan Planning Commission, said the demolition phase will be completed at the previous site of McDonald Dairy Company, directly off I-475 in Flint by early 2025.
Roblyer said he expects construction to commence in early 2026 with opening in late 2026 or early 2027.
“Genesee County Recycle Day events for the collection of hazardous waste and electronics have been held for nearly three decades,” he said. “However, the current event format is unsustainable due to cost increases and is unable to meet demand to dispose of residents’ waste.”
The 2023 American Community Survey by the U.S. Census Bureau reported more than 400,000 residents of Genesee County, and Roblyer said 19% of them who live in apartment complexes or mobile homes likely lack access to curbside recycling.
“Countless comments have been received from residents over the years calling for a permanent location,” he said, adding that the facility will raise recycling awareness in the community through educational presentations and tours for local school districts.
Meanwhile in the Upper Peninsula, Marquette County is receiving $900,000 to improve its materials recovery facility.
The Marquette County Solid Waste Management Authority says the money will fund an expansion of floor space to accommodate projected increases in recyclable material that the authority handles.
The facility currently processes about 8,500 tons of recyclables annually, according to the Environment, Great Lakes and Energy Department.
Despite that progress, disparities in resources remain.
A report from the Marquette County Climate Adaptation Task Force earlier this year says recycling rates in the Central UP hover around 8%, with Marquette County’s rate at only 11%.
The department said it expects the latest round of grants will help close gaps in the long term.
Other efforts by the department to increase the state recycling rate include material sorting powered by artificial intelligence and increased availability of electronic waste recycling for products like old cell phones and disposable vapes.
The Capital News Service originally published this story
State recycling grant recipients
Metro Detroit: Grant amount not specified; Collaboration with Michigan Grocers Association for in-store education campaign with Recycling Raccoons mascots.
Genesee County: $900,000; New recycling drop-off facility for paper, cardboard, plastic, household hazardous waste and electronics.
Marquette County: $900,000; Expansion of Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) with additional tipping floor space for increased capacity.
Isabella County: $900,000; Upgrade of existing MRF to single-stream processing and increased capacity, quadrupling total output.
Sterling Heights: $527,000; Transition to universal curbside recycling for 41,500 residential collection points.
Van Buren County: $500,000; Infrastructure upgrades at eight transfer station drop-off centers to improve services and capacity.
Madison Heights: $403,000; Community-wide recycling/trash cart program for 30,000 residents and 9,600 households.
Lansing: $300,000; Purchase of a recycling truck, containers, fleet software and marketing services for commercial recycling.
Southwest Oakland County: $140,000; Robotic sorting equipment to automate MRF operations, improve efficiency and track materials with analytics.
Source: Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy
Michigan Environment Watch
Michigan Environment Watch examines how public policy, industry, and other factors interact with the state’s trove of natural resources.
- See full coverage
- Subscribe
- Share tips and questions with Bridge environment reporter Kelly House
Michigan Environment Watch is made possible by generous financial support from:
Our generous Environment Watch underwriters encourage Bridge Michigan readers to also support civic journalism by becoming Bridge members. Please consider joining today.
See what new members are saying about why they donated to Bridge Michigan:
- “In order for this information to be accurate and unbiased it must be underwritten by its readers, not by special interests.” - Larry S.
- “Not many other media sources report on the topics Bridge does.” - Susan B.
- “Your journalism is outstanding and rare these days.” - Mark S.
If you want to ensure the future of nonpartisan, nonprofit Michigan journalism, please become a member today. You, too, will be asked why you donated and maybe we'll feature your quote next time!