Michigan Boosts its Recycling Efforts
The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) reports that the state of Michigan has achieved “an all-time high” in terms of its residential recycled materials. During fiscal year 2022, 620,494 tons of waste were collected. This statistic represents an additional 66,000 tons amassed, compared to figures reported for 2021.
EGLE’s data from the 2022 fiscal year demonstrates Michigan residents’ commitment to the environment, with 339,000 tons of paper, 154,000 tons of metals, 71,000 tons of glass, and 45,000 tons of plastics being recycled.
Regina Strong, environmental justice public advocate from EGLE stated at a news briefing on April 17 that the community, “can all be proud that Michiganders are recycling now more than ever before.”
She further asserted that “This equates to every person in Michigan recycling 124 pounds each year of cardboard boxes, milk cartons, soup cans, plastic bottles, glass bottles and jars, food waste and other recyclable materials.”
$15.6 Million in Funding
EGLE has allocated $15.6 million in 2023 to fund public-private partnerships that will be used for recycling infrastructure investments and projects across the state. By doing so, the agency maintains that it will create 72,500 jobs and inject more than $17 billion into the state’s economy via the recycling and remanufacturing industries.
Seeking to bolster recycling efforts, Michigan’s legislature created the Renew Michigan Fund in 2019. As part of this strategy, EGLE is investing capital to develop networks related to recycling, while also aiming to enhance recyclable materials, and increase market opportunities.
With the goal of surpassing the national average recycling rate of 32 percent, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and legislators in Michigan have set a target to achieve 30 percent recycling by 2029, with hopes of eventually reaching 45 percent across the state.
Michigan’s New Recycling Investments
The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) have already put $15.6 million into circulation to benefit Michigan companies and communities with recycling initiatives this year.
Construction of a new $35 million recycling processing facility in Detroit is being led by the Texas-based corporation, Waste Management (WM).
With support from EGLE, they were granted $465,000 to move the project forward with an estimated capacity of 40 tons per hour. Upon completion, WM intends to activate transload locations in various Michigan cities including Traverse City, Kalamazoo, Tawas, Saginaw and Lansing.
“Our intent with this investment is to position Detroit as a recycling hub for further sustainability progress in the state of Michigan,” states WM Great Lakes Area Vice President Aaron Johnson.
“We are committed to the environment, the Detroit community and increasing access to recycling infrastructure.”
Free Recycling Bins
The city of Flint, Michigan has also recently been awarded a $1 million grant from EGLE. The funds will be used to provide 96-gallon recycling carts at no cost to 34,000 households in the area. Additionally, The Recycling Partnership Washington has also donated a $3.3 million grant towards this campaign.
EGLE has revealed that Flint’s existing recycling system necessitates citizens providing their own bins for curbside waste, though most of the containers do not have lids.
The agency believes that by replacing these with new carts they can dramatically boost the amount of material recycled yearly. A projected jump from 624 tons per annum up to 5,400 tons is anticipated.
A Sustainable Business Park
The Kent County Department of Public Works (KCDPW)in Michigan has received a substantial boost from the Environmental Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) organization. A generous $4 million in grants has been provided to the group for its Sustainable Business Park project, which encompasses both Kent and Allegan counties in Michigan.
Located in Byron Center, Michigan, EGLE has also allocated funds towards a project that will transform 250 acres of land adjacent to the South Kent Landfill into an eco-friendly Sustainable Business Park.
Initially purchased by Kent County, as a location for a new landfill, investments from EGLE will enhance infrastructure elements like roads, utilities, and stormwater systems to ready the location for tenants.
North Kent Transfer Station Upgrades
Also, EGLE has awarded a grant totaling $499,999 the the KCDPW, to acquire baling equipment for its North Kent Transfer Station. This equipment will be used in direct-baling procedures for old corrugated containers (OCC) and “eliminates the cost of transporting the OCC to another facility to be processed.”
Due to the large grant from EGLE, the North Kent Station is upgrading its existing transfer station building into a convenient drop-off facility for recycling. With $385,001 of federal funds and a total cost of $885,000, the project will streamline residential and commercial recycling, and reduce operational costs. It will also improve access to necessary services and diminish the double handling of recyclables.
New Robotic Sorting Technology
Furthermore, EGLE has awarded the KCDPW a grant of $406,000. This money will be used to purchase robotic sorting equipment for the Recycling & Education Center that serves the greater western Michigan region. The intent of this new technology is to automate the sorting line and enhance efficiency.
By capitalizing on the EGLE grant, along with $174,000 in federal funding, the department is able to purchase the technology solution costing a total of $580,000. This investment seeks to address staffing shortages and growing costs associated with temporary labor, while also providing improved safety and efficiency in the workplace.
Alpena County to Construct a MRF
U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow has successfully secured a $2.7 million federal grant, backed by EGLE, which will provide support to Alpena County in its plan to construct a regional dual-stream material recovery facility (MRF).
The proposed MRF is estimated to cost $5.4 million, and funding from a $1 million EGLE grant will be used to construct the new site within the county.
The facility set to become a model for rural recycling in Michigan, and its capacity will allow it to process recyclables from six different counties throughout the northeastern part of the state. All collected materials will be sorted accordingly before being sold to local manufacturers.
VMX Receives Grant
In addition, EGLE has provided VMX International with a small business development grant of $100,000, to recycle and dispose of materials such as office paper and batteries. This grant is allowing the Detroit-based firm to build a lithium-ion battery recycling facility, with an estimated cost of $50 million.
Within a time frame of 1.5 to 2 years, VMX will have the new facility operational which will use lithium-ion battery recycling technologies, allowing it to dismantle and shred materials while separating rare earth elements from old batteries.
“Strategic Investments” Continue to be Allocated
According to EGLE, the organization is continuing to distribute multiple grants this year to boost recycling initiatives across the state. These awards are yet to be fully completed.
“These strategic investments by EGLE reflect the commitment of communities across Michigan to finding modern and scalable solutions across our entire recycling system,” EGLE’s recycling market development specialist, Matt Fletcher, says.
“It’s critical that EGLE continue to work together with the Michigan Chamber of Commerce, our partners in the Michigan legislature, the private sector, nonprofits like The Recycling Partnership, and at the federal and local levels to ensure we achieve our state’s goals for sustainable operations.”
