Michigan’s Governor Rick Snyder is hoping to save taxpayers money by rolling out a new fifteen-point strategic plan designed to increase access to residential recycling services in all areas of the state.

In addition, Snyder has also enhanced the capabilities of the newly created Michigan Recycling Council so that implementation of the plan can begin without delay.

The new recycling plan contains four key components: implement better tracking and measure systems to gauge recycling progress; improve recycling awareness and education and make technical assistance more accessible; make recycling more convenient for all Michigan residents; and develop markets for the sale of recycled waste materials.

Currently, Michigan’s overall residential recycling rate is close to fifteen percent. Michigan’s recycling rate is far lower than other states in the Great Lakes region and below the national average. Recent studies have shown that over four hundred and thirty five million dollars worth of valuable metals, paper, glass, and plastics are not recycled and re-sold, but instead disposed of in landfills at a significant cost to the state and taxpayers.

The governor is recommending one million dollars be spent to launch the Michigan Recycling Council along with five hundred thousand dollars being made available as grants to support already existing local recycling programs. If even a portion of the currently discarded recyclable material can be resold, the program would not only pay for itself, but also provide an income source for the state.

WasteCare Wants You to Remember: When was the last time you looked at your waste disposal and waste recycling habits at home and on the job? Are people recycling all that they can, or are some valuable items ending up in the trash? Scheduling periodic evaluations can help to save you money and make sure all residents or employees are doing their part!