by Donté Smith, Capital News Service (for Bridge Michigan)

For the third year in a row, Michigan’s recycling rate has hit a record-high, according to the Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy.

Michigan’s recycling rate has risen from about 14% before 2019 to over 23% now. Officials say they expect the state will reach a 30% recycling rate by 2029.

According to the most recent figures from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the national recycling rate is currently 32% with a goal to increase that number to 50% by 2030.

The state department aims to further expand recycling access with over $5 million in new grants to support projects in Metro Detroit, Genesee County, Lansing, Southwest Oakland County, Isabella County, Van Buren County, Marquette County, Sterling Heights and Madison Heights.

Genesee County is set to receive $900,000 to establish its first-ever countywide recycling drop-off center.

Cody Roblyer, the lead planner for the Genesee County Metropolitan Planning Commission, said the demolition phase will be completed at the previous site of McDonald Dairy Company, directly off I-475 in Flint by early 2025.

Roblyer said he expects construction to commence in early 2026 with opening in late 2026 or early 2027.

“Genesee County Recycle Day events for the collection of hazardous waste and electronics have been held for nearly three decades,” he said. “However, the current event format is unsustainable due to cost increases and is unable to meet demand to dispose of residents’ waste.”

The 2023 American Community Survey by the U.S. Census Bureau reported more than 400,000 residents of Genesee County, and Roblyer said 19% of them who live in apartment complexes or mobile homes likely lack access to curbside recycling.

“Countless comments have been received from residents over the years calling for a permanent location,” he said, adding that the facility will raise recycling awareness in the community through educational presentations and tours for local school districts.

Meanwhile in the Upper Peninsula, Marquette County is receiving $900,000 to improve its materials recovery facility.

The Marquette County Solid Waste Management Authority says the money will fund an expansion of floor space to accommodate projected increases in recyclable material that the authority handles.

The facility currently processes about 8,500 tons of recyclables annually, according to the Environment, Great Lakes and Energy Department.

Despite that progress, disparities in resources remain.

A report from the Marquette County Climate Adaptation Task Force earlier this year says recycling rates in the Central UP hover around 8%, with Marquette County’s rate at only 11%.

The department said it expects the latest round of grants will help close gaps in the long term.

Other efforts by the department to increase the state recycling rate include material sorting powered by artificial intelligence and increased availability of electronic waste recycling for products like old cell phones and disposable vapes.