SEATTLE (Recycling Monster): Flint and Bay City are among the communities contributing to improved household recycling statewide and the growth of Michigan’s sustainable circular economy. The eastern Michigan cities recently held local events to celebrate new recycling records.
The announcements came as Michigan continues to recognize five consecutive years of record-setting improvement in the state’s overall recycling rate. In April, the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) announced a new record-high 26% recycling rate based on the most recent data available.
At a news conference this month outside Flint City Hall, City and Genesee County leaders announced a new all-time high of 2,200 tons a year compared to 624 tons a year before the rollout of “Flint Strong”-branded household recycling carts in 2024 — a 253% increase.
“Every bottle, box, and can we recycle brings us one step closer to a sustainable Flint where both the environment and our community thrive,” Flint Mayor Sheldon Neeley said. “This analysis by the City of Flint with EGLE reminds everyone how simple and important it is to recycle properly.”
Flint leaders attribute the City’s recycling achievement to the distribution of more than 68,000 free 96-gallon trash carts and 64-gallon recycling carts to more than 34,000 residential households. The rollout marked the first major step in transitioning Flint to a cart-based recycling program. The previous recycling program required residents to provide their own waste and recycling receptacles for curbside pickup.
EGLE provided Flint with a $1 million infrastructure grant to help the City buy and provide the recycling carts free to residents. National nonprofit The Recycling Partnership awarded a $3.3 million grant to help support Flint’s effort to modernize its waste management program and expand access to recycling.
The city’s recycling improvement coincides with plans for a new $12.7 million Genesee County Recycling and Education Center on Chavez Drive at the site of a former McDonald Dairy property. EGLE has allocated $900,000 toward the project.
“Promoting healthy, safe, and livable communities is one of the Board’s fundamental priorities, and responsible recycling is an important part of that work,” said Genesee County Board of Commissioners Chairman Dale K. Weighill. “Good environmental stewardship helps protect our neighborhoods, preserve our natural resources, and contribute to a better quality of life throughout Genesee County.”
Bay City leaders met Aug. 31 at the Bay City Recycles Drop-off Center on Water Street to announce the city’s annual recycling rate has reached a record high, according to data from EGLE and the Bay City Department of Public Works (DPW).
Households recycled 1,396 tons of material in 2025, up 50% from 2022. That growth follows the Bay City DPW and City leaders’ 2022 launch of a citywide program to distribute new 96-gallon curbside recycling carts to 15,000 households, supported by funding from EGLE. Bay City’s recycling improvements are also attributed to increased use of the Bay City Recycles Drop-off Center, supported by a $50,000 EGLE grant.
“Every bottle, box, and can we recycle brings us one step closer to a sustainable Bay City where both the environment and our community thrive,” said Bay City Mayor Christopher Girard. “This analysis with EGLE reminds everyone how simple and important it is to recycle properly,” Girard said. “By increasing our recycling tonnage, we not only conserve natural resources but also generate significant economic benefits, supporting thousands of jobs and injecting billions of dollars into Michigan’s statewide economy.”
Courtesy: www.wasteadvantagemag.com
