Michigan boosts investment as recycling booms

Michigan has announced a record total of US$ 15.6 million (EUR 14 million) in grants through public-private partnerships to support recycling infrastructure investments in the state.

The move came as leaders of Michigan’s Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) said recycling in the Great Lakes state was at an all-time high. The grant allocation for 2023, to assist projects in Detroit, Flint, Grand Rapids and Alpena, more than doubles last year’s previous high of US$ 7 million. EGLE data shows that recycling, reuse, and remanufacturing industries in Michigan create 72 500 jobs and contribute more than US$ 17 billion to the state’s total economic output.

Politicians are committed to raising Michigan’s recycling rate to 30% by 2029 and eventually 45%. Residential recycled materials reported in 2022 were 560 000 tonnes, nearly 60 000 tonnes more than the previous record set the year before. Michiganders recycled over 307 000 tonnes of paper and paper products, nearly 140 000 tonnes of metals, more than 64 000 tonnes of glass, and over 40 000 tonnes of plastics and plastic products.

‘These strategic investments by EGLE reflect the commitment of communities across Michigan to finding modern and scalable solutions across our entire recycling system,’ said EGLE’s market development specialist Matt Flechter.