Pure Michigan is doing a pretty poor job of recycling its waste. Even Gov. Rick Snyder, in his final state of the state address this week, admitted that trying to boost the state’s recycling rate “has been one of the most disappointing initiatives” of his tenure, according to Matt Flechter, Michigan Department of Environmental Quality’s Recycling and Market Development Specialist.
That rate is 15 percent, half of the national average, said Flechter, speaking Wednesday to Michigan’s Great Southwest Sustainable Business Forum at Berrien County’s conference center along Napier Avenue.
Snyder urged that this goal must be met “for the well-being of our society and our world.”
Flechter said the governor has listed recycling as one of the infrastructure issues he plans to target.
It won’t come cheap. Flechter said an additional $27 million is needed, on top of the $6 million budgeted annually, to meet Michigan’s recycling goals.
Michiganders have a lot of climbing to do to get to the top of the heap.
Katie Venechuk, the MDEQ Recycling and Waste Minimization specialist for the 17-county Southwest Michigan region, said the state’s residents dispose of 49 billion cubic yards of material every year. That’s enough to fill Michigan State University’s stadium 95 times.
But 40 percent of those items are recyclable and 35 percent are compostable, Venechuk said.
The recycling and reuse industry is an economic engine, Flechter pointed out, responsible for 93,700 jobs and $24.3 billion in economic impact in Michigan.
A public relations firm has been hired to head an education campaign to inform residents why it’s important for the economy and the environment that they recycle more, Flechter said.
And it’s important to improve the quality of recycled materials, as well as quantity, he said. China is placing more stringent standards on the recycled items it imports.
Flechter said in remarks after his talk that this so-called “China Sword” could benefit Michigan manufacturers, with recycled materials staying in the U.S. and being turned into consumer products, instead of being shipped overseas.
The DEQ has assisted local recycling efforts with $2 million in grants since 2014, Venechuk said.
One of those grants, for $21,000 was awarded to Berrien County for its updated recycling guide, which will be sent to every residence in March, said Jill Adams, director of environmental property for the county.
The guide will inform residents of all the recycling options and events in the county, such as where to take hard-to-dispose-of material such as plastic foam, Adams said.
That rate is 15 percent, half of the national average, said Flechter, speaking Wednesday to Michigan’s Great Southwest Sustainable Business Forum at Berrien County’s conference center along Napier Avenue.
“We’re behind” in recycling, Snyder conceded. But we don’t have to be, said Flechter, discussing the goal of doubling the statewide recycling rate through education and other efforts.
Snyder urged that this goal must be met “for the well-being of our society and our world.”
Flechter said the governor has listed recycling as one of the infrastructure issues he plans to target.
It won’t come cheap. Flechter said an additional $27 million is needed, on top of the $6 million budgeted annually, to meet Michigan’s recycling goals.
Michiganders have a lot of climbing to do to get to the top of the heap.
Katie Venechuk, the MDEQ Recycling and Waste Minimization specialist for the 17-county Southwest Michigan region, said the state’s residents dispose of 49 billion cubic yards of material every year. That’s enough to fill Michigan State University’s stadium 95 times.
But 40 percent of those items are recyclable and 35 percent are compostable, Venechuk said.
The recycling and reuse industry is an economic engine, Flechter pointed out, responsible for 93,700 jobs and $24.3 billion in economic impact in Michigan.
One of the initiatives to boost recycling is leading by example, said Flechter, with more recycling available in state offices, roadside rest areas and state parks.
A public relations firm has been hired to head an education campaign to inform residents why it’s important for the economy and the environment that they recycle more, Flechter said.
And it’s important to improve the quality of recycled materials, as well as quantity, he said. China is placing more stringent standards on the recycled items it imports.
Flechter said in remarks after his talk that this so-called “China Sword” could benefit Michigan manufacturers, with recycled materials staying in the U.S. and being turned into consumer products, instead of being shipped overseas.
The DEQ has assisted local recycling efforts with $2 million in grants since 2014, Venechuk said.
One of those grants, for $21,000 was awarded to Berrien County for its updated recycling guide, which will be sent to every residence in March, said Jill Adams, director of environmental property for the county.
The guide will inform residents of all the recycling options and events in the county, such as where to take hard-to-dispose-of material such as plastic foam, Adams said.
To read the full story, visit http://www.heraldpalladium.com/news/local/michigan-wants-to-reboot-its-recycling/article_cd8a58b8-6795-5686-8fd4-1e60d06959b5.html.