Last Friday afternoon, Governor Rick Snyder announced a statewide initiative to reduce waste and improve Michigan’s recycling rate. To work towards this goal, he signed an Executive Directive requiring all State of Michigan facilities to provide on-site recycling opportunities. Additionally, he announced the launch of Re:Source, an initiative that will promote the use of recycled materials in economic and business opportunities across Michigan. Throughout his time as Governor, he has taken many steps to increase recycling throughout the state and has made it a priority.

In the directive, Governor Snyder called on the Department of Technology, Management, and Budget to present a toolkit to all State of Michigan departments that provides educational materials regarding the use of recycling services. Furthermore, the Governor directed all state owned, managed, or leased facilities provide recycling services within one year of the issuance of the directive.

Re:Source is part of the statewide initiative to triple Michigan’s recycling rate as outlined by Gov. Snyder. In addition to increasing recycling market development, the initiative seeks to:

• Create a statewide recycling education campaign to address Michigan’s extremely low recycling rate
• Update Michigan’s solid waste laws so that we no longer encourage the wasteful practices of the past, such as encouraging the construction of landfills instead of encouraging the development of recycling.
• Have the state government lead by example through increasing recycling opportunities at state facilities, parks, and rest areas.

With support from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, Re:Source will serve to address the unique challenges manufacturers face when trying to recycle and provides services that help meet their needs. Re:Source will provide tools to businesses to spur recycling innovation by helping firms make connections to manage their supply and demand for recycled commodities. These tools include the new Recycled Materials Market Directory at www.michigan.gov/deqrmmd which includes a searchable listing of companies buying and selling recycled materials like paper, metal, glass, and plastic. 

Michigan Legislative Consultants is a bipartisan lobbying firm based in Lansing, Michigan. Our team of lobbyists and procurement specialists provide a wide range of services for some of the most respected companies in America. For more on MLC, visit www.mlcmi.com or connect with us on LinkedIn and Twitter.