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 just in Michigan annually. 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…

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…

We recently sat down with our friends at Cascade Cart Solutions to learn more about their innovative work in the recycling cart industry. Cascade is a leading manufacturer of residential rolling recycling carts made with recycled plastic content. Cascade’s core business is supplying durable rolling carts for curbside recycling programs across the country. However, they…

Rehrig Pacific Company is a leader in manufacturing products with recycled content. With over a century of experience and a commitment to adaptation, this fourth-generation family-owned enterprise continually evolves to meet the demands of the circular economy. Rehrig Pacific looks for inventive ways to integrate recycled materials into their diverse product line. From stretch film…

Resource Recycling Systems (RRS) is at the forefront of driving change in Michigan’s recycling landscape. With a focus on organics management and the circular economy, RRS offers tailored solutions to meet the diverse needs of its clients, ranging from trade associations to public and private sector entities. In a recent interview, RRS representatives provided insight…

Kellanova, headquartered in Battle Creek, MI, has been a member of the MRC since 2020. You may not recognize their name, but you’d recognize their iconic brands: Pringles, Cheez-It, Eggo, RX Bar, MorningStar Farms, and more. Kellanova’s legacy was built over the previous 117 years as Kellogg Company. The company’s Better Days Promise is a commitment to advance sustainable…

Midland Recyclers is a nonprofit recycling center started in 1987. As the organization celebrates its 37th year, it continues to make significant strides in promoting recycling, educating the public, and fostering partnerships with businesses and the community. Midland Recyclers operates a self-serve drop-off recycling center located at the Midland landfill. With a mission to educate…

Most people are aware that recyclable materials are collected from households across the state, processed at a local material recovery facility, and then sent to a manufacturer who makes it into a new product. What many people don’t know is how the logistics are managed between collecting, selling and processing. That’s where Metro Recycling Solutions…

Goodwill’s Green Works, a subsidiary of Goodwill Industries of Greater Detroit, stands as a testament to the power of recycling efforts coupled with a commitment to providing opportunities for individuals facing employment challenges. With over 80 years of experience under their belt, Goodwill’s Green Works has evolved into a leader in recycling innovation, environmental impact,…

Kent County DPW, operates as an enterprise fund within Kent County government, showcasing a unique model for operating as an independent business unit. They play a crucial role in managing waste while promoting recycling and sustainable waste disposal within the county. Their partnership with the Recycle, MI campaign demonstrates their commitment to making a positive…

The city of Grand Rapids operates a recycling program for the second largest municipality in Michigan with a fleet of carts, both 96-gallon and 64-gallon, totaling an impressive 55,000 carts distributed throughout the city. The organization has embraced the single-stream recycling approach since 2010, simplifying the recycling process for residents by allowing them to place…

The Van Buren Conservation District is an independent unit of local government whose mission is to promote the conservation of natural resources through partnerships, providing public education and services. They have coordinated recycling in Van Buren County since 2011, expanding education and outreach as well as hosting numerous events such as drop-offs for electronics, household…

Schupan is a family owned sustainable materials management company that has emerged as a leader in the recycling industry. With a commitment to service, Schupan offers comprehensive support services for various recyclable materials, including ferrous and nonferrous metals, electronics, and beverage containers. Schupan is renowned as the largest marketer and processor of used beverage containers,…

The Grand Traverse County Resource Recovery Department/RecycleSmart program is dedicated to promoting waste management and recycling efforts in the Grand Traverse County area. RecycleSmart works in collaboration with waste haulers to ensure that all residents and businesses in the county have access to waste and recycling options. RecycleSmart’s primary focus is on accomplishing county-wide curbside…

Emmet County Recycling, established in 1990, is dedicated to waste diversion and innovative material management that is both cost-effective and convenient. Their comprehensive recycling efforts include operating a transfer station, 12 recycling drop sites, a materials recovery facility (MRF), a recycling drop-off center, curbside and commercial recycling collections, zero waste event recycling, a compost facility,…

Organicycle is a company set on keeping organic food waste out of landfills and returning those important minerals to Michigan soil. The 13-year-old company diverted 5 million pounds of organic waste in 2022 alone. Started by Bridget and Dan Tietema, Organicycle began while Bridget was a teacher and started questioning where the school’s food waste…

Recycling can start anywhere, and for Berrien County they pay close attention to where they can improve recycling. Local municipalities do offer curbside recycling in the area, but the parks department takes it one step further and helps to provide recycling for items not taken at the curb. They do this by hosting six collection events…

EFS Plastics is a 100% post-consumer plastic recycler that specializes in recycling mixed rigid plastics, plastic film or bags, and HDPE bottles, tubs, and lids. EFS, which stands for Environmentally Friendly Solutions, recycle these items into high-quality resins which can replace virgin plastics when purchased by manufacturers to make new products and packaging.  The company…

Dr. Shrink, Inc. is a full-service, full-circle supplier of premium shrink-wrap and all installation supplies and accessories. Dr. Shrink, Inc. strives to anticipate and innovate all of their products and services to meet the needs of current and future customers. Dr. Shrink saw a need for more productive uses for the premium plastics they sold…

The Marquette County Solid Waste Management Authority (MCSWMA) is owned by the municipalities of Marquette County. The Authority is supervised by an appointed Board of Trustees, and overseen by the Authority Director. MCSWMA offers many recycling and waste disposal services to Marquette County residents including drop-off recycling, household hazardous waste collections, and organics processing.  In…

 Lenawee County’s recycling drop-off site has been the place residents in the county can take plastics #1-7, glass (colored or clear), tin cans, aluminum, cardboard, and paper products for recycling since 2012. The Lenawee County Solid Waste Program also coordinates community collection events to clean up scrap tires, electronics, polystyrene foam, batteries, household hazardous waste,…

Washtenaw County’s Solid Waste Division works to provide comprehensive services to its residents as well as acts as a clearinghouse for information on everything from backyard composting to zero waste events. According to Theo Eggermont, Director of Public Works, the purpose of their program “is to achieve the Solid Waste Plan goals which boils down…

Goodwill Industries has a rich tradition in reuse and providing work opportunities. It was founded in 1902 by Reverend Edgar J. Helms who collected used clothing and household goods which were mended and fixed by locals he hired. The donated goods were then resold, and the money raised was used to pay the workers who…

Recycling in Michigan would be much harder without all the hard work everyone does in our Michigan communities. The Eaton County Department of Resource Recovery is one of our members that is a great example of all the hard work that is being done to help recycling. The Eaton County Department of Resource Recovery (ECDRR)…

In 1978, Recycle Ann Arbor (RAA) founded the first curbside recycling program in Michigan. Over the years, the program has seen significant growth, with the development of a curbside program, recovery yard, A2 Area Reuse network, and drop-off center. In 2021 they diverted 15699 tons of waste from being landfilled and opened their zero-waste Material…

The City of East Lansing was one of the first municipalities in the state to offer recycling services to its residents. Since its implementation, the City’s program has steadily grown to provide convenient programs for yard waste, holiday waste, hard to recycle items, and more. Waste collection programs are administered by the City’s Department of…