Flint and Bay City are among the communities contributing to improved household recycling statewide and the growth of Michigan’s sustainable circular economy. The eastern Michigan cities recently held local events to celebrate new recycling records.
The announcements came as Michigan continues to recognize five consecutive years of record-setting improvement in the state’s overall recycling rate. In April, the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) announced a new record-high 26% recycling rate based on the most recent data available.
At a news conference this month outside Flint City Hall, City and Genesee County leaders announced a new all-time high of 2,200 tons a year compared to 624 tons a year before the rollout of “Flint Strong”-branded household recycling carts in 2024 — a 253% increase.
“Every bottle, box, and can we recycle brings us one step closer to a sustainable Flint where both the environment and our community thrive,” Flint Mayor Sheldon Neeley said. “This analysis by the City of Flint with EGLE reminds everyone how simple and important it is to recycle properly.”
Flint leaders attribute the City’s recycling achievement to the distributi...