SEATTLE (Recycling Monster): The Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy hopes that the new grants exceeding $5 million will provide big boost to Michigan’s recycling efforts. The grants will support projects in Metro Detroit, Genesee County, Lansing, Southwest Oakland County, Isabella County, Van Buren County, Marquette County, Sterling Heights and Madison Heights, aimed at expanding recycling access to residents.
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One among the recipients is the Genesee County, which will use the grant money of $900,000 towards establishing its first-ever countywide recycling drop-off center at the previous site of McDonald Dairy Company, directly off I-475 in Flint. The construction of the drop-off center is expected to begin in early 2026. The facility is expected to begin operations in late 2026 or early 2027.
Also, Marquette County will receive a grant of $900,000 which will be utilized towards improving its materials recovery facility (MRF). The facility currently processes nearly 8,500 tons of recyclables per year.
Michigan’s recycling rate has hit a record high for the third consecutive year, rising from 14% before 2019 to 23% now. The state department targets to achieve a recycling rate of 30% by 2029.