EAST LANSING, Mich. — The City of East Lansing will be rolling out new, 96-gallon curbside recycling carts to residents the week of Sept. 28. The carts will be delivered to homes throughout the week and will be provided to residents at no cost thanks to a $125,000 grant from The Recycling Partnership and matching funds from the City of East Lansing.
“The cart program is a long-term solution for residents based in best practices and it is expected to increase the City’s recycling volumes by approximately 50 to 60 percent,” said East Lansing Environmental Services Administrator Cathy DeShambo. “The carts will also allow the City to collect an expanded list of recyclables at the curb, including boxboard, cardboard, household scrap metal, juice and food cartons, rigid plastic containers and more.”
“We couldn’t be more pleased to partner with the City of East Lansing,” said The Recycling Partnership Executive Director Keefe Harrison. “Their commitment to the success of their recycling program is to be commended. We look forward to celebrating more materials being diverted from landfills and place back into hungry end markets across Michigan and the upper Midwest.”
With the transition to the new carts, East Lansing’s curbside recycling collection schedule will change from weekly to bi-weekly. Collection with the new carts will begin in early October, with some residents beginning the week of Oct. 5 and other residents beginning the week of Oct. 12. A collection schedule and magnet with a list of collectable items will be provided with each cart that is delivered. Community members can find additional information at www.cityofeastlansing.com/recycle.
Michigan’s First Hydraulic Hybrid Recycling TruckAs part of the recycling cart transition, the City of East Lansing has purchased a new, fully automated hydraulic hybrid recycling truck – the first of its kind in Michigan. The new truck is a product of the City’s Green Fleet Policy and demonstrates the City’s commitment to actively reducing fuel consumption and emissions through fleet purchasing that considers alternative technologies. A hybrid by design, the truck utilizes two forms of energy; its first source originates from the diesel engine, while the second source is derived from brake energy. At low speeds, accumulated energy from the vehicle’s braking system is stored and used to power the truck each time it accelerates. It is only as the truck reaches highway speeds that the diesel engine is utilized. The truck is expected to consume 35-50 percent less fuel than a standard recycling truck and the City expects to see emissions lowered by as much as 48 tons in one year.
“As the primary recycling truck for the City’s new curbside recycling cart program, this green vehicle is just one more way that East Lansing continues to be a leader in implementing practices that enhance the City’s livability today while preserving resources for tomorrow,” said East Lansing Department of Public Works Director Scott House.
Cart Bash at the East Lansing Farmer’s Market Autumn Fest on Sunday, Oct. 4To celebrate the new recycling cart program, the City of East Lansing, The Recycling Partnership and Amcor will host a Cart Bash at the East Lansing Farmer’s Market Autumn Fest on Sunday, Oct. 4 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. in Valley Court Park, 280 Valley Court. The event will feature recycling information, a variety of recycling cart games, recycling freebies (including superhero recycling capes), FREE kettle corn, face painting, live music and more. The event will also include an up-close look at East Lansing’s new hydraulic hybrid recycling truck, which features a truck wrap design chosen by the East Lansing community.
In addition to the Cart Bash festivities, the Autumn Fest will feature FREE cider and donuts, horse and carriage rides, fall children’s activities and plenty of seasonal Michigan produce and products sold by East Lansing Farmer’s Market vendors. Members of the community and media are welcome to attend.
Press Event on Monday, Oct. 5To commemorate the rollout of East Lansing’s new recycling carts and the arrival of Michigan’s first hydraulic hybrid recycling truck, a special press event will be held on Monday, Oct. 5 at 10 a.m. in Ann Street Plaza. Ann Street Plaza is located at the corner of Albert Avenue and M.A.C. Avenue in downtown East Lansing.
Speakers at the press event will include East Lansing Mayor Nathan Triplett, The Recycling Partnership Executive Director Keefe Harrison and Michigan Recycling Coalition Executive Director Kerrin O’Brien, who is also a member of East Lansing’s Commission on the Environment. In addition to speaking about the new recycling carts and East Lansing’s new hydraulic hybrid recycling truck, Mayor Triplett will be making a surprise announcement at the event on behalf of Amcor.
Members of the media and community are invited to attend. There will be great photo opportunities with the truck and carts; and the speakers will be available for media interviews. Additionally, Coca-Cola will be sponsoring a refreshments table at the event.