Category: Miscellaneous

Installation debut offers kids fun activities to promote learning to care for planet by teaming up with Michigan’s nationally renowned Recycling Raccoons

FLINT, Mich. – Leaders with the Flint Farmers’ Market, Flint Children’s Museum and the Michigan Dept. of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) today unveiled a new, hands-on recycling education exhibit that will benefit 100,000 elementary school-age youth annually from the Genesee County region.

“Our partnership demonstrates the Flint Farmers’ Market and EGLE’s commitment to meeting communities where they are, using creative partnerships to extend the reach and impact of environmental education beyond traditional classroom or office settings,” said Flint Farmers’ Market Manager Karianne Martus.

“By embedding educational activities within a high-traffic community gathering space, the partnership ensures that recycling education reaches families in a natural, accessible setting where learning can happen alongside everyday activities,” Martus said during a morning press conference attended by 4^th-grade students from Flint’s Eisenhower Elementary School and adult chaperone volunteers.

The activities feature two key interactive components designed to make recycling education engaging and memorable:

Recycling Scavenger Hunt

• Features recycling stream categories with corresponding Recycling Raccoon
• Teaches essential recycling rules including proper cleaning, keeping items loose and cardboard flattening

Magnetic Sorting Game

• Custom magnetic table surface with3D printed game pieces representing various recyclable and non-recyclable items
• Hands-on sorting activity that reinforces proper recycling practices

The collaboration leverages the Flint Farmers’ Market’s significant reach—450,000 annual visitors, including more than 100,000 kids between ages 2-10 across weekly Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday operations—to deliver hands-on environmental education through the Flint Children’s Museum’s interactive space within the market.

“By placing recycling education within the vibrant, family-friendly environment of the Flint Farmers Market, EGLE and the Flint Children’s Museum are making sustainable practices more accessible and engaging for families throughout the region,” said Flint Children’s Museum Visitor Services Manager Jacky Metcalfe.

EGLE announced this year the recycling rate in the Great Lakes State is at a record high, based on 2024 metrics. EGLE leaders attribute the state’s recycling success to its launch of the national award-winning “Know It Before You Throw It” education campaign featuring the Recycling Raccoon Squad, as well as EGLE funding for infrastructure and technical support for projects that increase access to recycling services across Michigan.

EGLE research shows Michigan has steadily increased its recycling rate from 14.25% before 2019 (when Michigan ranked among the nation’s lowest in recycling before the Recycling Raccoon campaign began) to 23% last year and an all-time high rate of over 25% now. EGLE forecasts that Michigan is on track to achieve the state’s goal of a 30% recycling rate by 2029.

In fiscal year (FY) 2024, Michiganders recycled more than 71,000 tons of glass, 329,000 tons of paper and paper products, and 56,000 tons of plastics and plastic products. The total amount of residential recycled materials reported for FY 2024 was 723,174 tons — exceeding the year before by more than 19,000 tons.

This equates to every person in Michigan recycling nearly 143 pounds of cardboard boxes, milk cartons, soup cans, plastic bottles, glass bottles and jars, food waste and other recyclable materials over a 12-month span. The volume of materials Michiganders recycled in FY2024 equals the weight of 10 Mackinac Bridges and would fill the football stadiums of the Detroit Lions, University of Michigan and Michigan State University, as well as the hockey stadium of NCAA men’s national champion Western Michigan University.

EGLE’s funding support of the Flint Farmers’ Market children’s recycling education builds on EGLE’s successful partnership with the City of Flint last year to launch the largest distribution of rolling, easy-to-use carts curbside recycling and trash carts in the city’s history. The delivery of nearly 70,000 free carts to more than 34,000 Flint households is projected to increase recycled materials from 624 tons per year to 5,400 tons annually.

“By increasing our recycling rate, we not only conserve natural resources but also generate significant economic benefits, supporting over 72,500 jobs and injecting billions of dollars into our economy,” said EGLE Environmental Justice Public Advocate Regina Strong.

“Every bottle, box, and can we recycle brings us one step closer to a sustainable Michigan where both the environment and our communities thrive.”

Burgeoning Metro Detroit city’s plan to make recycling easier than ever before will help Madison Heights’ reach all-time highs for the amount of materials recycled each year with support from Michigan Dept. of EGLE

MADISON HEIGHTS, Mich. – The City of Madison Heights today is kicking off the largest expansion of recycling collection in the Metro Detroit city’s 70-year history with the distribution of more than 20,000 free curbside trash and recycling carts, supported by essential funding from the Michigan Dept. of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE).

The new rolling, lidded recycling carts are projected to increase the amounts of materials recycled in Madison Heights to all-time record highs – from 1,000 tons per year to 1,500 tons per year, a 50% increase – as well as improve recycling access, inspire more resident participation and enhance safety for sanitation workers.

Madison Heights is spending $1.1 million to purchase the carts from Grand Rapids-based Cascade Cart Solutions, with almost half of the cost covered by a $403,200 EGLE Recycling Infrastructure grant in addition to a $105,600 grant from national nonprofit The Recycling Partnership to support the rollout.

“Thanks to the generous grant funding provided by EGLE and The Recycling Partnership, Madison Heights is moving toward a more sustainable and efficient waste management system for all residents. This rollout marks a major milestone for our community,” said Madison Heights Mayor Roslyn Grafstein.

“We all know recycling helps us keep Michigan beautiful. Now, Madison Heights gets to be a larger part of that beautiful story,” Grafstein said during a morning press conference that preceded the first installation of the cart rollout in a nearby neighborhood.

The city’s investment helps put Madison Heights on the map as among Michigan’s community recycling champions.

“The residents of Madison Heights’ commitment to recycling helps contribute to Michigan’s cleaner, more resilient future,” said EGLE Environmental Justice Public Advocate Regina Strong.

“By increasing our recycling rate, we not only conserve natural resources but also generate significant economic benefits, supporting over 72,500 jobs and injecting billions of dollars into our economy,” Strong said. “Every bottle, box, and can we recycle brings us one step closer to a sustainable Michigan where both the environment and our communities thrive.”

Each of the city’s 10,300-plus households will receive one 96-gallon Madison Heights-branded trash cart and one 64-gallon Madison Heights-branded recycling cart as part of the rollout that begins Monday. Aug. 18.

Both of the cart models produced by Cascade are made with 10% post-consumer curbside recycled material. As a woman-owned company and the only Michigan-based recycling and trash cart manufacturer, Cascade has rolled out over 40 million trash and recycling containers nationwide, including over 4 million receptacles in Michigan.

“Cascade is excited to be a small part of Madison Heights’ curbside trash and recycling upgrades,” said Cascade Engineering Sales Manager Brian Miller.

“Roll carts have a life cycle of 10-20 years or more,” Miller added, “and these new carts will be a part of the Madison Heights community for decades to come, contributing to blight control around the city as well as contributing to the State of Michigan’s recycling goals well into the future.”

All of the carts are expected to be delivered by Sept. 1, 2025. As part of the plan, Madison Heights will move to cart-only collection, effective on Monday, Oct. 6, 2025. That means all Madison Heights residents beyond that date are required to use carts to dispose of their garbage and recyclables.

“Many conscientious people in Madison Heights have done their best to recycle, but most of the city’s potentially recyclable materials end up in trash containers and go to the landfill because many of our residents don’t have their own recycling containers,” said Jennifer Bartleman, of the Madison Heights Citizens Environmental Committee.

“This campaign we’re rolling out today allows all Madison Heights residents to do their part. Recycling is not only the right thing to do, but the smart thing to do,” Bartleman said.

The city’s new collection system provides several important benefits:

• It will now be easier and faster than ever before in city history for Madison Heights residents, especially senior citizens, to recycle.
• Local taxpayers will benefit from an estimated $200,000 in annual savings compared to the previous refuse and recycling collection model, totaling approximately $1 million over the five-year collection contract with Clinton Township-based Priority Waste.
• Enclosed carts improve curbside appearance and reduce rodent activity.
• A universal recycling program that increases landfill diversion.

Materials that can be deposited in the recycling carts include:

• Plastic bottles and containers
• Aluminum and steel cans
• Glass bottles and jars
• Cardboard (flattened)
• Newspaper, junk mail, mixed paper — all colors and types

The city is launching a comprehensive outreach campaign to inform residents about the transition. This includes:

• Direct mailers with rollout information.
• Printed instructions that will be attached to each cart upon cart delivery.
• Educational content shared via social media, city newsletter, and local newspapers.
• A dedicated webpage at: https://www.madison-heights.org/Carts

Key program guidelines:

• Refuse and recycling must be placed in an approved cart for regular collection.
• Overflow material can be handled through special pickups or by purchasing additional approved carts.
• One bulk item per week will be collected at no charge on the regular collection day.
• Residents with disabilities may qualify for a door-side pickup service. Residents can contact the Department of Public Services with questions about the program.

“By helping Madison Heights residents and all Michiganders understand how to recycle and why it is so important, and by continuing to expand access to recycling services, we can help protect our natural resources and enhance the economy of our state,” said state Rep. Mike McFall, D-Hazel Park, whose legislative district encompasses Madison Heights and who spoke at the press conference.

EGLE announced this year the recycling rate in the Great Lakes State is at a record high, based on 2024 metrics. EGLE leaders attribute the state’s recycling success to its launch of the national award-winning “Know It Before You Throw It” education campaign featuring the Recycling Raccoon Squad, as well as EGLE funding for infrastructure and technical support for projects that increase access to recycling services across Michigan.

EGLE research shows Michigan has steadily increased its recycling rate from 14.25% before 2019 (when Michigan ranked among the nation’s lowest in recycling before the Recycling Raccoon campaign began) to 23% last year and an all-time high rate of over 25% now. EGLE forecasts that Michigan is on track to achieve the state’s goal of a 30% recycling rate by 2029.

In fiscal year (FY) 2024, Michiganders recycled more than 71,000 tons of glass, 329,000 tons of paper and paper products, and 56,000 tons of plastics and plastic products. The total amount of residential recycled materials reported for FY 2024 was 723,174 tons — exceeding the year before by more than 19,000 tons.

This equates to every person in Michigan recycling nearly 143 pounds of cardboard boxes, milk cartons, soup cans, plastic bottles, glass bottles and jars, food waste and other recyclable materials over a 12-month span. The volume of materials Michiganders recycled in FY2024 equals the weight of 10 Mackinac Bridges and would fill the football stadiums of the Detroit Lions, University of Michigan and Michigan State University, as well as the hockey stadium of NCAA men’s national champion Western Michigan University.

(Lansing)- The City of Lansing Public Service Department is excited to announce the opening of a brand-new Recycling Drop-Off Center, located at 601 E South Street, Lansing, MI 48910. All community members can now conveniently drop off recyclable materials free of charge at this new facility. 

Mayor Andy Schor celebrated the new development, stating “The opening of this recycling drop-off center is another step in the right direction to make Lansing a more sustainable community. Residents who were unable to get curbside recycling services now have a greater opportunity to recycle. I am very excited to keep expanding our sustainability efforts in the future.”

This project was made possible through funding from the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) as part of a recycling infrastructure grant awarded to the city. Lansing has been a long-standing advocate for recycling, launching its curbside program nearly 35 years ago. Lansing remains committed to responsible waste management and continues to invest in programs that divert as much material from local landfills as possible through expanded access and community education.

EGLE Public Information Officer Jeff Johnston noted, “Lansing’s commitment to recycling is contributing to Michigan’s cleaner, more resilient future. By increasing our recycling rate, we not only conserve natural resources but also generate significant economic benefits—supporting over 72,500 jobs and injecting billions of dollars into our economy. Every bottle, box, and can recycled brings us one step closer to a sustainable Michigan where both the environment and our communities thrive.”

Drop-Off Center Details: 

Address: 601 E. South Street, Lansing, MI 48910.

Hours: Open Daily from Dawn to Dusk

See a map (PDF) of the drop-off location. Wayfinding signs are posted to help direct traffic to the exact location. The site is also monitored by surveillance cameras. 

The Drop-Off Center accepts all materials currently accepted through Lansing’s curbside recycling program, plus foam polystyrene (Styrofoam™), which is not accepted in curbside pick-up. Clearly marked bins will be available for the following materials:

• Cardboard
• Boxboard
• Paper
• Plastic
• Metal
• Glass
• Foam Polystyrene (Styrofoam™) 

A Food Scraps Drop-Off Bin will also be available as part of the City’s expanding Food Scraps Program. 

To view a detailed list of accepted and unacceptable materials, visit the Recycling Drop-Off Center webpage: www.lansingmi.gov/recyclingdropoff

In addition, the city is gathering community input through a short survey to improve local recycling program outreach. The Lansing Residential Recycling Program Survey takes about 5-7 minutes and gathers feedback from residents about your recycling habits, awareness, and satisfaction with the city’s curbside recycling program. Your input will help us identify areas for improvement and to expand educational outreach. 

For more CART information, visit www.lansingmi.gov/CART, or contact CART by emailing OMAdmin@lansingmi.gov or calling (517) 483-4400.

Original story posted at https://www.lansingmi.gov/687/News-Events

Watch two Michigan neighbors go head-to-head – and recycling bin to recycling bin – as they battle for the title of Recycling Champion in this riveting debut game show! For more information about recycling rules specific to your area, contact your local recycling provider.

This story was originally published by Live in the D for clickondetroit.com/web/wdiv/live-in-the-d.

Every day, you likely use all kinds of plastic - everything from water bottles to containers, and you may be recycling them, but are you doing it right? You've probably seen the new commercial campaign with the Recycling Raccoon Squad. It's part of a new effort to show people how to recycle correctly by our friends at the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy-- or EGLE.

Jill Greenberg joined us to tell us more about the new effort. She says that the "Know it Before You Throw It" campaign aims to educate the public about best practices for recycling. The most important thing to know is to empty and clean the product before you recycle it. When you take those extra steps, it helps improve our recycling stream. Currently, in Michigan, we recycle 15% of plastic, and their goal is to raise it to 30% by 2020. "In fact, 15% is really low for the Great Lakes region," said Greenberg.

Karl Hattopp also joined us from Clean Tech Recycling to show us what happens when we recycle correctly. Hattopp says that Clean Tech Recycling takes the recycled bottles such as laundry detergent bottles and water bottles and they turn them into pellets that are eventually turned back into bottles.

To learn more about Clean Tech Recycling, visit cleantechrecycling.com, and to learn more about the new EGLE campaign and get more tips and information on recycling, visit recyclingraccoons.org.