The NextCycle network allowed the Holland team to connect with other communities and organizations and get a stronger understanding of the needs and impact of a drop-off center.

Nearly two dozen teams focused on food waste reduction and organic materials recovery have participated in the NextCycle Michigan program to take their projects to the next level. Read more about their efforts and impacts in Michigan.

Michigan’s upper peninsula boasts 30% of the state’s landmass, but only 3% of its population. Its rural nature results in a recycling capture rate of only 2%. However, several teams are making an impact on recycling infrastructure, organic material recovery, and innovative recycling technology.

When disasters occur, communities often generate as much waste as they ordinarily would in weeks or months. Establishing a Disaster Debris Management Plan was the focus for a NextCycle team of two resource recovery authorities, representing 21 communities in Oakland County, MI.

The 5,000 square mile NEMCOG region of Northeast lower Michigan is home to over 132,000 people. Residential access to recycling varies by community. Area counties took action to strengthen recycling across the region.

Donation-based resale stores receive some donations that are unsaleable and not accepted in traditional recycling programs. A new collaboration is utilizing a proprietary process to turn wood waste (like broken furniture) into raw material for manufacturing.