For Allegan County, the Resource Recovery Program coordinates recycling to help 18 participating governmental units. In the 18 areas they currently provide for, the Allegan County Resource Recovery Program will help ensure that townships have the infrastructure they need to provide recycling services. This will include providing education, managing contracts, and helping to provide the financial infrastructure needed to support recycling in these area. The county has 24 local governmental units overall, and the Allegan County Resource Recovery Program hopes to grow to include all 24 units of government for recycling.
Besides the funding support that Allegan County is helping provide, annually they host four collection events each year. These include household hazardous waste, medical waste, electronic waste, and a special collection event for tires. Out of all of these events, the most popular among the residents is the tire collection event. This is made available through a tire grant and is a great opportunity for the local environment. Not only are they helping to improve our waste stream and keep tires out of landfills, but it also helps contribute to overall public health by reducing mosquito breeding grounds. In 2017 alone, there were a total of 3,544 car tires collected and 41 agricultural tires collected.
This amazing work that Allegan County is doing, does not stop at these collection events. The Resource Recovery Program understands how important the big items are, as well as the small items. That is why, internally, they try to lead by example. Allegan County does this by recycling almost all of their paper. They are eager to expand access for all employees and they have a clear vision to promote a safe, clean, and healthy environment to not only live in, but work and play in as well. A big part of this internal growth is helping to promote the education side of recycling. In 2017 Allegan County spent only 4.5% of their budget on education and outreach. They maintain an educational website to provide materials at the local municipal level to help answer questions for residents.
Looking towards the future, the Resource Recovery Program is hoping to expand to include all 24 governmental units, so recycling can be made available to all residents. To support what they do, Allegan County knows how important it is for the state have our legislature focus on expanding end markets for recyclable material in order to reach our recycling goals. The Allegan County Resource Recovery Program is always looking for new ways to grow recycling and help improve our environment each step of the way.
