LANSING – Governor Rick Snyder announced Monday his plan to increase recycling in the state and named the Recycling Council that will oversee implementation of that plan.

The goal of the plan is to help communities in setting up curbside recycling while also creating new markets for the recycled materials.

“Michigan has a strong tradition of protecting and enhancing its environment,” Mr. Snyder said. “But when it comes to recycling, we must do better. Michigan trails other Great Lakes states and much of the nation in residential recycling. It’s a complex challenge but one that we can address. This plan puts us on the right path.”

He noted studies that showed Michigan recycles only 15 percent of its waste compared to 35 percent nationally and that the recyclables Michiganders throw away are worth some $435 million annually.

Environmental Quality Director Dan Wyant said the plan was developed by a coalition of groups.

“This plan represents a real breakthrough for the myriad interested stakeholders around recycling,” Wyant said. “What we celebrate today is their leadership, our partnership and the sustained commitment from everyone to keep ‘Pure Michigan’ pure in the years ahead.”

“The Michigan Recycling Coalition is pleased with the governor’s leadership on this issue,” said Kerrin O’Brien, executive director of the coalition. “This initiative recognizes that we can and should do more to fully achieve the economic and environmental rewards that a comprehensive residential recycling program will bring to Michigan.”

The plan, which also calls for better public education, would be supported by $1.5 million in state dollars, $1 million in the 2014-15 budget for the overall program and $500,000 in pollution prevention grants through the Department of Environmental Quality to help local communities develop recycling programs.

The members of the new council, all appointed for two-year terms:

Michael Csapo of Fenton will represent the recycling community and is the general manager of Resource Recovery and Recycling Authority of Southwest Oakland County.

Jim Frey of Detroit will represent academics and consultants. He is CEO and co-founder of Resource Recycling Systems.

Linda Gobler of Lansing will represent the retailers on the council. She is president and CEO of the Michigan Grocers Association.

Jim Kulp of Dexter will represent the processors. He is the operations manager for Clean Tech Incorporated, the state’s largest bottle recycling facility.

Bill Lobenherz of Lansing will represent the bottlers. He is president of the Michigan Soft Drink Association.

Kerrin O’Brien of East Lansing will represent environmental interests. She is the executive director of the Michigan Recycling Coalition.

Tonia Olson of Lansing will represent waste haulers, waste industry, and landfill owners and operators. She is the director of governmental and community relations for Granger.

Elisa Seltzer of Levering will represent public and community interests. She is public works director for Emmet County.

Doug Wood of Muskegon will represent local government and regions. He is the director of the Kent County Department of Public Works.

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