Pilot Recycling Programs
Residential Pilot Program
The City of Lansing has selected two residential areas to test the use of a 96 gallon wheeled container for recycling collection. The carts are being tested because residents who take advantage of the convenient single stream recycling program have expressed an interested in a larger container. Other communities that use carts tend to see an increase in the amount of recyclables collected at the curb. Collecting more recyclables diverts valuable materials from the waste stream and is also a revenue stream for the City.
The City will be collecting recycling every other week in the pilot area. If successful, the city may be able to realize additional operational savings through a bi-weekly recycling service.
Commercial Pilot Program
The City of Lansing has been provided convenient curbside recycling to Lansing residents since 1990, we recognize that many businesses also need this same convenient service. Businesses can contribute up to 60% of the waste stream that is typically full of valuable recyclables.
Due to grant funds provided by the US Department of Energy, the City now has the ability to study the prospects of a city wide commercial recycling program. The pilot project will help the City to determine the unique recycling needs of businesses in order to design a city-wide, fee for service program. Businesses who participate in this program will help share the future of commercial recycling in the City of Lansing.
The pilot is currently operating in downtown, Old Town, REO Town and select parts of the South Side Businesses Association area.
Public Space Recycling Pilot
As a society that is constantly on the go, recycling needs to be available more than just at home and work. Through the same grant opportunity, the City of Lansing has partnered with Downtown Lansing, Inc. and the Old Town Commercial Association to place several public recycling bins around town.
These bins can accept the same materials as our curbside recycling program, but we expect items such as empty water or beverage bottles, newspapers, and plastic carryout containers to be recycled.
The bins have been placed along Washington Square, in front of City Hall, in Turner mini-park and in the center of Old Town.
Following the completion of a successful pilot, the City will seek to install additional recycling bins in other high pedestrian traffic areas.
