By the Numbers: Recycling in Michigan at all

Aug 22, 2023

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April 24, 2023

Recycling in Michigan is now at an all-time high, the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) announced at a virtual press conference that kicked off Earth Week 2023 this week.

Recycling bins curbside awaiting pickup.

EGLE also announced a record-setting $15.6 million in recycling infrastructure grants to communities, nonprofits and businesses across the state.

"We can all be proud that Michiganders are recycling now more than ever before," said Regina Strong, EGLE Environmental Justice Public Advocate. She noted that Michigan's recycling activities and infrastructure investments represent a bipartisan effort in a historic partnership with Governor Gretchen Whitmer and the Michigan Legislature in combination with the nonprofit sector and business community that the state has never seen before.

Here are some statistics from the virtual "Recycling State of the State" press conference:

Recycling infrastructure projects EGLE touted during the press conference include:

"These strategic investments by EGLE reflect the commitment of communities across Michigan to finding modern and scalable solutions across our entire recycling system," noted Matt Flechter, EGLE recycling market development specialist.

EGLE representatives at the press conference were joined by Flint Mayor Sheldon Neeley; Aaron Johnson, WM Great Lakes area vice president; Darwin Bass, Kent County Department of Public Works director; Vickie Lewis, VMX International founder and CEO; and Cindy Johnson, Alpena mayor pro-tem and Northeast Michigan Materials Management Authority chair.

The results announced at the news conference come from a more than four-year review of statewide data by EGLE researchers that aligns with the 2019 launch of EGLE's national award-winning "Know It Before You Throw It" recycling education campaign featuring the Recycling Raccoon Squad.

An EGLE aquatic recently received the Elsevier Early Career Scientist Award from the International Association for Great Lakes Research.

EGLE staffer Rob Wolfe, who has been a rockhound in Michigan's Upper Peninsula for 50 years, share tips on how to find Yooperlites®.

It's easy and fast for Bay City and Saginaw residents to enroll in Iris's food scrap collection program.

Canadian wildfires are not the reason Michigan has had several Air Quality Action Days recently. But they have contributed to unusual conditions.

While EGLE proclaims Great Lakes and Fresh Water Week each year as a focal point for Great Lakes literacy, learning happens year-round, far and wide.

The 103-year-old Hamilton Dam in Flint is one of 16 awarded safety upgrade funding.

EGLE announces Great Lakes and Fresh Water Week, June 3-11. Annual commemoration focuses on 'blue economy' enjoying and protecting Michigan waters.

A group of ten volunteers spent just over four hours cleaning up the grounds of the veterans cemetery in Grand Rapids.

A vacant and contaminated site in Detroit will be cleaned up, thanks to approval of a reimbursement plan by EGLE.

The Fresh Coast Maritime Challenge is enabling the future of boating by electrifying Northwest Michigan's waterways.

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