Canton Wins $50K Recycling Grant

From the Town of Canton: Canton was recently awarded a $50,000 Recycling Infrastructure Grant from the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ). The funds will go towards the purchase of Canton's new 64-gallon automated recycling carts.

The grant is part of Governor Snyder's Residential Recycling Plan of Action which aims to increase the residential recycling rate to 30 percent within two years. Last year, Canton recycled 6,803 tons which is 16.75% of the total residential waste stream. By providing the 64-gallon carts, Canton hopes to increase that rate to 21.5%. When combined with the residential yard waste collected, Canton will exceed the State's 30% recycling goal.

Canton Trustee Anne Marie Graham-Hudak, identified the grant which made approximately $250,000 available to communities. Canton was one of five communities in Michigan to receive grant money and the only community to be awarded the maximum amount of $50,000.

In comparison the City of Houghton was awarded $7,904, Village of Bingham Farms was awarded $15,750, Grosse Pointe was awarded $28,350 and Detroit was awarded $34,132.72.

"This grant helps our community move toward sustainability and making Canton a better place for our residents," said Graham-Hudak.

Delivery of the new carts will begin the week of June 5. Crews will deliver carts to the end of each resident's driveway - residents do not need to be present to receive the cart. Residents may begin using the new cart as soon as they receive it, however it will take about three weeks to deliver all 27,500 carts. Residents who do not receive their carts the week of June 5, should continuing using their 18 gallon green bins until the new cart is delivered.

Photo courtesy of the Town of Canton