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LANSING, Mich. — Reduce, reuse, recycle — that’s the mission of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). In November, the EPA announced its largest recycling investment in 30 years, committing funding to Michigan tribes and the Michigan Recycling Coalition.
FOX 17 spoke with Nena Shaw, Director of Resource Conservation and Sustainability in EPA’s Office of Land and Emergency Management, about these recent efforts.
US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
One of the questions FOX 17 asked the show was why the EPA wants to invest in recycling infrastructure.
““What I always remember is that in 2017, China issued the National Sword Policy and basically stopped accepting our trash,” Shaw said. “The moment that happened, recyclables and plastics and other items started piling up in ports and towns” across the country. I think people realized, wow, we need to think differently about this. ”
Since then, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has focused on improving the nation’s recycling system.
“It was precisely in November of 2021 that we announced and launched the National Recycling Strategy, the first step in building a circular economy for everyone and the president’s bipartisan Infrastructure Act. It was the exact same day I signed it,” Shaw said.
This legislation provided funding through grants to implement the strategy.
“The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, also known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Act, provided $275 million in recycling grants for solid waste infrastructure. Over the course of a year, you’ll earn 55 million yen a year.”
Associated Press
Of that funding, four Michigan tribes and intertribal coalitions received grants to improve their recycling and waste management systems.
The Bay Mills Indian Community received $970,000 to reduce pollution and increase recycling and waste diversion rates. The Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish Band of Potawatomi Indians received $1,084,454 to help him better manage used materials, including diversion of municipal solid waste from landfills. This includes supporting the expansion and improvement of Gun Lake Casino’s food waste management and diversion through the operation of a large-scale food waste digester.
The Little Traverse Bay Band of Odawa Indians received $240,000 to promote source reduction and increase waste diversion rates throughout the Little Traverse Bay Band community. The Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe of Michigan received $1,499,856 to increase its collection capacity for recycled materials.
In total, more than $3.7 million was donated to Michigan tribes and intertribal coalitions.
The Michigan Recycling Coalition also received funding for recycling education and assistance programs. The Michigan Recycling Coalition received $1,821,887 to develop and implement a comprehensive, best-practice education and outreach program to train targeted recycling professionals. These experts learn and develop CBSM-based teaching strategies.
Michigan Recycling Coalition (MRC)
When speaking with Michigan Recycling Coalition Education Program Coordinator Katie Fournier, she said the grant will also help the organization add new staff. She also said this is completely new territory for them and they have never received funding from the EPA at this level.
“In addition to providing financial support to local communities, we are making an even bigger impact on the ground by providing the tools and resources needed to take recycling education to the next level, with personalized messaging. community and its unique perspectives and actions. ”
The mission of the Michigan Recycling Coalition is to promote sustainability by guiding, educating, and mobilizing businesses, governments, nonprofit organizations, and individuals to advance independent and collective resource use and recovery efforts. It is to do. That’s according to their website.
Michigan Recycling Coalition (MRC)
Katie Fournier tells FOX 17 that waste will always be a part of our daily lives, but her organization wants people to learn the value of recycling and the right way to do it. Told.
“There’s been a shift in mindset about recycling, or something close to a loss of belief that the process really works. So if you’re a purely mission-based or non-profit organization like ours, you’re thinking about the importance of conservation. , having an organization that truly understands how to demystify and communicate the process, how to properly recycle, and how those materials are used at the end of their life is extremely important.Michigan It will benefit the state’s local economy and the planet.”
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) told FOX 17 it goes beyond one organization or one community. “It’s going to involve all of us, the community, businesses, nonprofits, you name it,” Nena Shaw told FOX 17. In addition to recycling, the EPA says we need to focus on reuse and reduction. The company’s recycling strategy focuses on the circular economy.
Michigan Recycling Coalition (MRC)
A circular economy keeps materials and products circulating for as long as possible.
“We’re thinking seriously about the use of materials, redesigning those materials and products to use less resources, and recovering waste as a resource to make new materials and products,” Shaw said. Stated.
It’s an opportunity for companies to think seriously about the products they make, and it’s an opportunity for consumers to think seriously about the products they consume.
On Earth Day 2023, EPA released a draft national strategy to prevent plastic pollution that builds on the National Recycling Strategy. EPA received more than 91,000 comments from the public regarding preventing plastic pollution. “We all know that plastics pose challenges for individuals, communities, states, nations and even internationally,” Shaw said.
EPA is also working on strategies to reduce food loss and waste. They are accepting public comments on their strategy until February 3.
Michigan Recycling Coalition (MRC)
“We are thrilled to be able to put money into the hands of local communities and help them solve these challenges, actually manage their waste, increase recycling, and alleviate climate change and environmental justice issues. I’m excited,” Shaw said.
When FOX 17 spoke with Katie Fournier, she said it’s not too late to change our habits when it comes to recycling and composting.
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