Blog Posts

For manufacturers, using recycled glass just makes sense. It’s easy to find—thanks to bottle redemption programs in ten states—and it saves money. Strategic Materials, Inc. (SMI), one of North America’s biggest glass recyclers, reports that using recycled glass cuts energy use by about 15% compared to making glass from scratch. This means that glass recycling…

Technology evolves rapidly, leaving many of us wondering what to do with outdated hardware like computers and storage devices. For individuals and businesses in Southwest Michigan, Green Earth, a new Recycle MI partner, offers a safe and sustainable solution for recycling electronic waste. With over 15 years in business, Green Earth is led by owner…

Did you know that minerals like zinc and manganese can be extracted from end-of-life batteries and safely used as added nutrients in soil? There are many applications for the critical materials that are extracted from batteries when they are recycled. From batteries used to power electric vehicles to household batteries in TV remotes, Cirba Solutions…

Food waste and loss is a significant problem across the U.S. with an estimated 1.5 to 2 million pounds of food waste generated annually just in Michigan. Businesses like My Green Michigan are tackling organic recycling and food waste head-on.  My Green Michigan is an organics collection company that picks up from organizations and businesses…

How do companies know whether or not their plastic products and packaging are recyclable? The Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR) is here to help!  APR is an international nonprofit that develops in-depth guides and conducts personalized training to help manufacturers all around the world design recyclable plastic. In fact, it’s the only North American-based nonprofit…

Fishbeck is a premier professional consulting firm offering expertise in engineering, environmental sciences, architecture, and construction management. They are helping Michigan communities build and expand recycling and organics programs, while ensuring that their internal operations are just as sustainable.  At Fishbeck, the “triple bottom line” of people, profit, and planet is ingrained within their culture.…

Plant trays, hanging baskets, and pots are often considered hard-to-recycle plastics. If they aren’t landfilled, these products are often “downcycled” into pipes and drain tiles using thermal and chemical recycling techniques. East Jordan Plastics (EJP), a family-owned manufacturer of horticulture containers, often called nursery pots and trays, demonstrates that there are other uses for these…

If you’ve ever seen a cup or take-out container labeled as compostable you might have seen an Eco-Product item. While starting off as a manufacturer of recycled office and building supplies, Eco-Products now has flourished to become one of the biggest manufacturers of sustainable foodservice packaging in the country. They take green products to a…

If you’re from West Michigan, your recycled milk jugs may have been turned into an outdoor product like a picnic table, bench, or kiosk! We recently spoke to Sandra Anson, director of sales and marketing at Polly Products to learn more about what goes on behind the scenes during production of their outdoor furniture made…

For 25 years, Recycle Coach and its parent company Municipal Media have developed resources and education around waste management and recycling, providing communication solutions for municipalities across the United States. Recycle Coach’s mission is to provide residents with accurate, up-to-date information on proper disposal and recycling practices. Communities use Recycle Coach’s innovative app to serve…