Michigan Recycling Coalition

The Michigan Recycling Coalition fosters sustainability by leading, educating, and mobilizing business, government, nonprofit, and individuals to advance their own and collective resource use and recovery initiatives in Michigan.

Michigan's Recycling Rate

National Recycling Rate

Our Vision

Where natural resources are managed to the environmental and economic benefit of every community.
Where all possible uses for a given material are exhausted before being managed as waste.
Where waste is managed in a way that causes minimal harm to habitat, wildlife, and the environment.
Where Michigan's high public & private waste diversion and participation rates are common knowledge and a source of state pride and economic benefit.
Where recycling and composting are vital and sustainable services and collected materials have value in industries globally.
Where the MRC and its members are recognized, influential leaders in effective resource use and recovery throughout the state.

Leading

The MRC and its members are thought leaders that seek to manage end of life materials in productive ways:

Through key reports and continuing involvement, the MRC has elevated the recycling issue and along with it, the industry.
MRC continues to advocate for needed state level leadership and resources to support community access to services and recycling economic development opportunities.
MRC has retained the services of a lobbying firm to assist the organization in the passage of key policy initiatives supported by the Coalition.

Educating

The MRC provides a variety of ways for members to learn more about sustainable materials management:

MRC weekly newsletter provides regular updates regarding recycling policies and practices in the news.
MRC's Annual Conference is the premiere opportunity for professionals at all levels to meet, share, and learn from colleagues and experts in the field.
Professional training and topical workshops bring newcomers up to speed and everyone to the table to learn something new.
Formal partnerships with the Department of Environmental Quality, U.S. Composting Council, and National Recycling Coalition provide members with additional expert resources and support.
Recycle, MI, the statewide recycling campaign promotes the benefits of recycling.

Mobilizing

The MRC works to inform members about the important issues and activities that give members a voice:

MRC provides information on how members can influence policy-making at the local and state leve.
MRC facilitates quarterly regional meetings in every part of Michigan to organize and connect local stakeholders.
Recycle, MI reminds individuals to recycle where they live, work, and play.
MRC provides regular policy updates to members through emails and newsletters.
When policy changes are needed the MRC hosts an Advocacy Day at the Capitol.

The Michigan Recycling Coalition employs the expertise of its Board of Directors and members to take positions on policy issues important to the growth and development of the recycling industry in Michigan.

Policy Statements

And Resolution Process Guide

Read Here

Anti-Scavenging Electronics Recovery & Recycling Michigan Deposit Law Open Burning Product Stewardship Yard Waste Ban Exemptions

Anti-Scavenging

As recycled commodities become more valuable in the marketplace, the scavenging of those materials also increases. Recycling service providers need protection from theft, and the Michigan Recycling Coalition developed this policy statement to bring attention and action to the issue.

Electronics Recovery & Recycling

As our use and dependence upon electronic communication tools increases, so does the need to capture those resources for recycling. In 2008, the Michigan legislature passed a law that requires manufacturers and distributors to provide free, convenient recycling opportunities for their products. Michigan's Electronic Waste Takeback Program has jump-started electronic recovery but made many electronics remain stored in basements and sent to the landfill. The Michigan Recycling Coalition, through member and stakeholder dialogue, developed a set of recommendations aimed at improving the program and ultimately collecting more end-of-life electronics for reuse or recycling.

Michigan Deposit Law

The deposit law was initiated in 1976 to reduce litter through a $.10 deposit on single-serve carbonated beverage containers. The deposit law has been very effective in capturing and recycling those containers. More information on the deposit law can be found here. In 2005, the MRC Board of Directors passed a resolution in support of expanding the deposit law to include single-serve, non-carbonated beverage containers. In 2018, the MRC Board of Directors passed a resolution in support of the Deposit Law.

Open Burning

"Open burning" refers to the act of burning waste materials in a container where smoke is able to be released into the air without passing through a filtering system, like a chimney, first. The chemicals and substances that are released into the air during this process are often dangerous and toxic. Improper burning poses a fire hazard and can cause health problems. The MRC takes a stand against open burning. More information about open burning is available on the Michigan DEQ website.

Product Stewardship

The growing product stewardship movement in the United States seeks to ensure that those who design, manufacture, sell, and use consumer products take responsibility for reducing negative impacts to the economy, environment, public health, and worker safety. These impacts can occur throughout the life cycle of a product and its packaging, and are associated with energy and materials consumption, waste generation, toxic substances, greenhouse gases, and other air and water emissions. In a product stewardship approach, manufacturers that design products and specify packaging have the greatest ability, and therefore the greatest responsibility, to reduce these impacts by attempting to incorporate the full life cycle costs into the cost of doing business. The MRC Board of Directors passed a resolution in support of this movement.

Yard Waste Ban Exemptions

Michigan law rightly bans disposal of yard debris in Michigan landfills. The Michigan Recycling Coalition is fully supportive of this policy. Through the Policy Resolution the MRC formally opposes exemptions to Michigan's Yard Waste Ban that seek to increase the disposal of organic yard debris in landfills. The MRC Policy Statement identifies the many reasons yard debris does not belong in Michigan Landfills.