Missaukee Conservation District
When the Missaukee Conservation District opened, they didn’t have any plans to get involved in recycling. Ten years ago, this changed when they received a $32,000 anonymous donation and obtained a solid waste management grant. Everything fell into place at the right time, and ever since then they have been in the recycling business.
In the beginning they just accepted recyclables in a field and paid to have them hauled away. They have come a long way in the last ten years and now have a building to store materials, three balers, and a loading dock. In 2008 they were able to divert 117,000 pounds of recyclables, and in 2017 they have diverted 600,000 pounds. Each year the growth has been amazing and helping the community have this value is something that Missaukee Conservation District takes very seriously.
The collection events that have helped them reach these high diversion rates include household hazardous waste, electronics, and tires. Each year In 1949 Missaukee Conservation District has one large event, funded through a grant, to collect all of these items. They are a very rural community of around 15,000 people, so the amount of material they receive through this event is very impressive. The last electronics collection received 32,000 pounds, and they have collected over 16 semi trailers full of tires.
These events are so successful in this small area because of how hard Missaukee Conservation District works to not only get the word out through social media, but also by taking the time and educate people as they come in. Wishful recycling is a big problem, and even though these events may get extremely busy, it is still important to slow down and speak with people about what they are bringing in. Many people do not understand why they can’t always take everything or why some things aren’t recyclable, so Missaukee Conservation District always tries to teach people as they have them at the events one on one. For example, they would need to find a way to store 40,000 pounds of glass and then pay to have it shipped away in order to recycle it. Educating people so they understand the recycling markets a little better and what is practical, is very important.
Another way Missaukee Conservation District tries to educate is through outreach. Around 25% of their budget is spent on having someone go into the community and teach programs to anyone from kids, to seniors, to disabled adults. They use these programs to help people understand more about kitchen composting and what everyone can do to improve recycling in their daily lives. This is a great example of how Missaukee Conservation District never gives up. Even though they don’t have any type of organics recycling, they still are getting out their and trying to teach people about its importance.
In the future, a major focus area for growth that Missaukee Conservation District has is being able to have the state support more funding for the basics. Currently, their recycling building has no heat, no bathroom, and no running water. They hope that with our state’s recycling rate goal, that maybe legislation will be put in place to help rural areas like hers receive more grants and thus be able to increase standard needs. After those needs are met they also hope to expand with more space and more storage.
For now, Missaukee Conservation District will continue to do everything they can to help recycling grow. Whether that is in the community through education and events, or even internal efforts to support staff recycling. This community may be small, but they will not stop making recycling a priority.