Township launching pilot program for recycling

Laketown Township is testing a possible new recycling program this summer, delivering recycling carts to one neighborhood to better understand how the community responds to a cart-based system.

“This pilot program is our first step toward improving recycling in Laketown,” said Zoey Hallam, deputy clerk for Laketown Township. “We learned in early 2025 that our current yellow bag system is not capturing recyclable material as effectively as it should. Rather than guessing at a solution, we are testing one.”

Beginning in mid-June, 64-gallon recycling carts will be delivered to homes located between 146th and 147th avenues, west of 64th Street. The area was selected in coordination with Republic Services due to its density and proximity to their site, making it ideal for collecting meaningful data. There are 147 households eligible to participate.

Information about the program, along with a request to participate, will be mailed to eligible households this month.

Residents who choose to participate will place approved recyclable materials directly into the cart. Trash and recycling will continue to be collected by Republic Services, which is cooperating with the township during the test period.

“This is a free opportunity for residents in this area to try a different recycling model,” Hallam said. “The township is covering the cost of the carts through grant funding, and Republic is providing collection support during the pilot.”

Grants

The pilot program is funded through a Seed Grant of just under $10,000 from NextCycle Michigan, supported by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy. The grant pays for the recycling carts used in the study. Republic Services is supporting the pilot with a dedicated truck for about six to eight months to allow for accurate tracking of participation and material recovery.

Laketown Township has also applied for a larger recycling infrastructure grant through the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy. If awarded, that funding would allow the township to provide recycling carts to the remainder of the community.

Laketown Township conducted a community-wide recycling survey in 2025 that showed strong resident interest in improving recycling options. However, data from Republic Services indicates Laketown’s recycling recovery rate is approximately 20 percent of the total waste stream.

What’s ahead

Currently, Laketown residents use yellow recycling bags. While familiar, the bag system can result in contamination, torn materials, and recyclable items being lost in the waste stream. Cart-based systems are widely used across Michigan and are often associated with higher participation and improved material capture.

After the six- to eight-month pilot concludes, the township will evaluate the results and determine next steps. Those could include expanding a cart program more broadly, adjusting the current system, or pursuing additional funding.

“This is about being responsible with taxpayer dollars while also being responsible stewards of our environment,” Hallam said. “We want a system that works for residents and produces real results.”