Tuscola County, MI Pioneers Regional Approach to Recycling and Waste Management

SEATTLE (Waste Advantage): Tuscola County is taking a collaborative approach with other counties in the Thumb Region to develop a comprehensive recycling and waste management strategy. Earlier this past fall, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed several bills focusing on increasing the recycling rate in four counties to reduce the impact on landfills. Sometime later, the Tuscola County Board of Commissioners talked about pursuing a new materials management plan after several state bills were signed into law. After putting together a preliminary plan, the board is now seeking to connect with Huron, Sanilac, and Lapeer counties.

According to Mike Miller, director of buildings and grounds of Tuscola County, each county board has agreed to work together to see what a plan will look like. The goal is to have several new recycling stations where residents can drop off recyclable items.  “My thought is that it’s going to happen,” Miller said. “We have six months from Monday to submit a letter of intent to the state.”

With the new state laws, each county can benefit from the new plan. Counties seeking interest in joining the regional group will receive an extra $60,000 for the plan’s first five years. Additionally, counties will also receive 50 cents per capita, but it will drop after the first three years of the program. Tuscola County commissioners will write the plan and be the overseer of the new management plan.

Courtesy: www.wasteadvantage.com