Submitted by Ellen Link
Area Recycling: Good News, Bad News
First, the Bad News: Due to the resurgence of COVID-19 rates in Michigan, and despite our previous hopes and plans, recycling in Laingsburg will not resume until May—assuming the pandemic once again seems to be receding. If everyone who is able to do so gets a vaccine and we all continue to play it safe, this should be possible, right?
But even when we resume the recycling drives, they will not, at least initially, be as comprehensive as they were in the past. The pandemic has wrought many changes and among them are the materials that are currently considered marketable—meaning the list of what we will be able to accept has changed. As it looks right now, come May we will no longer be able to accept plastics #3-7, glass, or electronics; we will, however, continue to accept #1 & #2 plastics, cardboard, metals, mixed office paper, newspaper and magazines.
Now for the Good News! First, the Greater Laingsburg Recyclers (GLR) can finally announce that EGLE (Environment, Great Lakes & Energy, formerly DEQ) has approved our grant application for funding the construction of a permanent recycling-waste reduction facility in Laingsburg! The building will be sited on Laingsburg Schools’ property and operated through a partnership of the city of Laingsburg, Laingsburg Schools and the GLR. The intention is to make its services available to all residents, businesses, schools and offices in the surrounding area. And the plan is to greatly expand our hours, which mean we’ll also need more volunteers. We hope the facility, projected to open in late fall 2021, will demonstrate the viability and value of making these services available in non-urban areas.
Regrettably, they did not approve the full funding needed to complete the project, so the GLR has been hard at work searching every nook and cranny for the extra dollars needed to complete the job. Contributions initially pledged by both Shiawassee and Clinton counties, City of Laingsburg, Woodhull and Victor townships and the GLR will fill much but not all of the gap. One of our efforts is a GoFundMe page, which has already raised $10,000. But we still have a way to go. You can contribute through the link on our website and Facebook page. https://recyclelaingsburg.wixsite.com/mysite
There’s one more bit of Good News: the state of Michigan is serious about increasing our state’s recycling rate and promoting waste reduction. To that end, EGLE is working with industry to expand the use of recyclable materials through something called Nextcycle. This may take a while to get off the ground but when it does will create jobs and a stronger economy. Also, bipartisan legislation (H.B. 4454-4461) focused on rewriting our outdated solid waste laws, which took years and numerous stakeholders to create and which will favor recycling over landfilling, has been reintroduced in the legislature (it was proposed last year but then expired). It can only help to contact your legislators to express your support. The future is looking better all the time.
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