MICHIGAN — Michiganders set a new recycling record, collecting 800,940 tons of materials from fiscal year 2024 to 2025. This announcement coincides with Michigan’s recognition of Earth Day on Wednesday, as proclaimed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.
The total recycled tonnage translates to nearly 158 pounds of cardboard boxes, milk cartons, soup cans, plastic bottles, glass bottles and jars, food waste and other recyclable materials per person over a 12-month period. EGLE researchers reported these findings, noting Michiganders recycled 60,000 tons of glass, 577,000 tons of paper and paper products and 41,000 tons of plastics and plastic products.
The combined total of recyclables is the equivalent of the weight of 10 Mackinac Bridges. This amount would fill the football stadiums of the Detroit Lions, University of Michigan and Michigan State University. The recyclables would also fill the 125-acre Detroit Zoo.
If the 800,940 tons of material were placed in recycling carts side by side, they would stretch around the moon over three times. Furthermore, if the amount of paper, metal, glass and plastic were in recycling carts, they would stretch 50 round-trips from Traverse City to Detroit. They would also stretch 142 round-trips from Lansing to Detroit and 125 round-trips from Saginaw to Detroit.
The material would cover 91 round-trips from Kalamazoo to Detroit, 81 round-trips from Grand Rapids to Detroit and 51 round-trips from Alpena to Detroit. Additionally, the material would stretch 28 round-trips from Marquette to Detroit. If all 800,940 tons of Michigan’s residential recyclables collected last year were spread across every elementary school playground in the state, the pile would be nearly 50 feet deep.
Earth Day, observed annually on April 22, is celebrated to raise awareness about environmental issues and promote actions to protect the planet. In Michigan, the day is marked with activities including sustainability initiatives, environmental cleanups and educational events.