Report projects the economic impact of expanding recycling in Michigan

Funded by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE), the 2024 Michigan Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) Characterization and Valuation Study conducted waste sorts at 10 sites across the state (e.g., landfills, transfer stations and waste-to-energy facilities). The collected data enable calculation of an economic valuation for diversion in terms of real material value, job creation, and other positive economic and environmental impacts.  

Report findings show that material disposed of in Michigan’s municipal solid waste landfills each year has an estimated market value of $500 million to $676 million. If this material was collected for recycling, it would have an estimated economic impact of $609 million to $825 million per year, creating as many as 4,500 jobs. The most common material found in these audits was food, making up 1-.16% of the samples by weight. Michigan disposes of an estimated 1.5 to 2 million tons per year of food waste through its MSW program.

The work continues to reduce recyclables and food waste sent to the landfill. EGLE’s “Know It Before You Throw It” education campaign has worked to educate residents about proper recycling practices, essentially encouraging them to "know what can be recycled before you throw it away." EGLE recycling and pollution prevention grants have aimed to support recycling and organics infrastructure to obtain the states recycling goal of 30% and food waste prevention goal of 50% by 2030.

Check out the full report, the recycling resources at Michigan.gov/MIRecycles, and contact your local recycling specialist for help with grants and technical support.