There are 24 counties in Michigan where all residents have "convenient access" to recycling. In order to determine which counties have convenient access to recycling, the following criteria were established:
- The county must provide a collection program to each resident through ordinance, public/private partnerships, private-hauler contracting, or a publicly managed program.
- Each community with 10,000 or more people must provide each resident access to curbside recycling.
- In a community without curbside recycling, there must be at least one drop-off location per 10,000 people.
Michigan is working to ensure that all residents have convenient access to recycling.
For a listing of recycling locations in all 83 Michigan counties, go to:
Local Contacts (Recycling & Household Hazardous Waste)
Recycling is a major component of pollution prevention, conservation, and waste reduction efforts in Michigan. It is often the first step businesses take toward a more efficient and cleaner operation. Recycling is also a popular, positive way individuals can practice sustainable living and protect their environment.
A few of the many environmental, economic, and social benefits of recycling are:
- Conserving natural resources by consuming fewer raw materials.
- Minimizing the need to harvest and mine virgin materials thus preventing habitat and natural area destruction and disruption.
- Creating more local jobs than managing waste does, resulting in stronger local economies.
- Diverting waste from landfills, extending their useful lives.
- Robust recycling programs improve the quality of life in the community and results in a more desirable place to live.
- Reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
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