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PrintResource Recovery
Mission Statement
The mission of the Grand Traverse County Resource Recovery Department (RecycleSmart) is to protect the public health and environment of our community by efficiently managing waste materials with a focus on resource conservation.
Grand Traverse County Recycling Rate Above National Average
(November 15, 2011) GRAND TRAVERSE COUNTY RESOURCE RECOVERY DEPARTMENT (RecycleSmart) announced that the 2010 Grand Traverse County Waste Diversion Report calculated a recycling rate of 35.51%. This represents 31,932 tons of material that was recycled. The national average recycling rate determined by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is 33.80 %. 2010 Grand Traverse County Waste Diversion Report
Curbside Recycling
All Grand Traverse County residents (single family homes up to a fourplex) have the opportunity to set their recyclables out for pick up at the end of their driveway. Curbside recycling is the most effective way to recycle. To be able to put your recyclables out at the curb, unsorted, is so much easier to do. If residents are not currently utilizing curbside recycling service, they must contact their hauler to subscribe.
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Do you want to be the first to know about area recycling events? Subscribe here
for the monthly RecycleSmart e-Newsletter!
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"Take It Back"
The "Take It Back" program provides information where consumers can return unwanted products to local providers/businesses for reuse, recycling or responsible disposal. The program is growing on a&nbspweekly basis.
This is another program developed by the Grand Traverse County Resource Recovery Department, in order to reach the Grand Traverse County diversion goal of 42% by the year 2012. For more information please view the "Take It Back" link. The information is continuously updated with the most current data.
If you know of a business location that will accept product according to our registration requirements, please let us know.
With your help in identifying "Take It Back" opportunities, together we will build this program as a leading example of what can be accomplished and contributed by the Grand Traverse County community.
Take It Back Provider/Business Registration Form
Unused Medications
Where Can I Dispose?
This is a familiar and popular question that is often asked by Grand Traverse County residents.
Increasing amounts of prescription drugs are being detected in U.S rivers, waterways, and ground water. Drugs like antidepressants, cholesterol reducers, and antibiotics are being detected in drinking water supplies. The risk to humans and animals of long term exposure to these contaminants in drinking water is unknown.
In addition, many children are the victims of accidental poisonings each year due to medications in the home. The following reports were made to Michigan's Poison Control Center for accidental ingestion of medications in children under 5 years old from January-June 2008:
Ibuprofen - 877 reports
Pediatric Multivitamins - 501 reports
Antihistamines - 474 reports
Antibiotics - 463 reports
Calcium Supplements - 333 reports
Don't put medications down the toilet or sink! Whether you are on a septic system or municipal sewer, traces of flushed chemicals can reach the environment. In order to protect our children and the enviroment, we must ensure that medications are properly handled, stored and disposed!
To learn where you can Take Back unused medications for proper disposal visit:
Take It Back, Health > Medications.
Note: In compliance with the Contolled Substance Act (CSA), enforced by the Drug Enforcement Administration, this program Does Not Accept any scheduled drugs.
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Take It Back recycling program > Televisions
Take It Back recycling program > Electronics
Research indicates that e-waste is growing at three times the rate of other municipal waste. For example, in 2005 an estimated 26 to 37 million computers became obsolete and about 345,000 to 379,000 tons were recycled, according to the EPA.
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Michigan Computer and Television Takeback Program Descriptions by Brand
Additional Michigan Electronic Recycling Information
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Fluorescent Light Bulbs & CFL's (Compact Fluorescent Light's)
According to the EPA:
Fluorescent light bulbs contain some elemental mercury, like the mercury that is found in an older fever thermometer. The mercury can be in vapor, liquid or solid forms. Mercury is a necessary component to the operation of most energy-efficient lighting. Light bulbs that contain mercury use 75% less energy than regular light bulbs and last up to 10 times longer. Fluorescent light bulbs (including compact fluorescent light bulbs) and high intensity discharge (HID) light bulbs are the two most common types of light bulbs that contain mercury.
Take It Back recycling program > Household, CFL Bulbs
Compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) and other fluorescent light bulbs contain small amounts of mercury. For example, an average CFL contains 5 milligrams or about 1/100th of the amount of mercury found in a mercury fever thermometer. By comparison, older thermometers contain about 500 milligrams of mercury. It would take 100 CFLs to equal that amount.
No mercury is released when the bulbs are intact or in use; exposure is possible only when a bulb has been broken. Learn about how to clean up broken bulbs by visiting EPA's Mercury Web site.
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RecycleSmart Reference Guide, 2nd edition, Read more.........
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RecycleSmart e-Newsletter
Published on a monthly basis, the RecycleSmart e-Newsletter will keep you informed on the most current Grand Traverse County recycling opportunities.
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