Community leaders are coming together to investigate the opportunities and challenges of recycling. A series of public engagement sessions were held throughout Shiawassee County during February, March, and April to learn what citizens think. 

 “We are all leaders,” said facilitator Kari Krantz, “and we wanted everyone’s input. Future successful recycling initiatives throughout the county can only happen if they are supported by area residents.” 

Key stakeholders in the effort, representing local governments, business groups, and community nonprofits, are working together to identify opportunities, build a sustainable economy, create jobs, reduce environmental impacts, and improve the quality of life for all residents. The Cook Family Foundation is providing logistical support for the collaborative effort.  

“We already have a number of strong recycling assets in our community,” said Tom Cook, Executive Director of the Cook Family Foundation. “They include the DJ Root Recycling Center and the Greater Laingsburg Recyclers. Businesses like Great Lakes Fusion are discovering the economic opportunities in sustainable practices.”

A new State law (Part 115 of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act) requires Shiawassee County to submit a comprehensive plan that demonstrates new mechanisms to reduce existing materials waste presently going to landfills. Plans must include a description of how communities are engaged in the planning process. Development of the plan is the responsibility of the Shiawassee County Materials Waste Management Committee.                   

Twenty-two individuals, representing 14 organizations, have joined in this collaborative effort by signing a Charter outlining the mission, vision and goals they have to promote the economic, environmental, and community benefits of recycling. The Shiawassee Community Recycling Workgroup is not a governmental entity and lacks any authority to make changes in public or private practices.  Rather, the group exists to provide a central clearinghouse for information, to gain input from the public, and to help participant organizations achieve their own goals.

Those organizations adopting the Charter include:

• City of Corunna
• Cook Family Foundation
• Fleis & Vandenbrink
• Greater Laingsburg Recycling
• Michigan Recycling Coalition
• Resourceful Recycling
• Shiawassee Community Foundation
• Shiawassee County Board of Commissioners
• Shiawassee County Health Department
• Shiawassee Health and Wellness/DJ Root Recycling
• Shiawassee Materials Management Committee
• Shiawassee Regional Chamber of Commerce
• Shiawassee Regional Education Service District
• The Arc Mid-Michigan

Public input began with a series of Youth Engagement Sessions, designed to tap into the ideas of local high school students. A culminating outcome of these sessions involves high school students from all county districts in developing unique recycling initiatives with start-up funds allocated for each district. High school students from Corunna, Morrice, and Owosso working on recycling projects to be implemented this spring.

For additional information about the Community Engagement Sessions or the High School youth activities, please email Kari Krantz, at info@kskconsultancy.com or call (989) 277-6531.

For general information about this county-wide effort, please email Lorraine Austin, at lorraine@cookfamilyfoundation.org or call (989) 277-7337.