The City of Flint is set to launch a new waste management era with the distribution of 30,000 new trash and recycling carts starting this fall. Flint residents can expect the rollout of 96-gallon trash and 64-gallon recycling carts manufactured by Grand Rapids-based Cascade Engineering, as announced by city officials. These carts decked out with “Flint Strong” logos, are strategically aimed to significantly boost recycling efforts while also keeping the city cleaner and reducing litter.
Joining a nationwide trend, Flint is aiming to catch up and potentially surpass other cities with the introduction of these carts. These carts are not just intended to tidy up refuse services but are also designed to help drastically drive up recycling rates in the city—by an expected 750%, going from 624 tons per year to 5,400 tons. "This new recycle bin is beautiful," Flint resident Renee Harvey exclaimed, as per MLive, voicing hope that her own experience of slashing trash output could become a widespread reality.
The initiative is powered by several substantial grants amounting to $4.3 million from The Recycling Partnership and EGLE (Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy). The provision of these carts, which is a move to alleviate some of the financial burdens on residents, is part of a larger plan that includes a significant investment in recycling infrastructure and services. This initiative aims to make Flint a cleaner and more sustainable city.
Efficiency is also a key driver behind the switch to a cart program. According to ABC12, Priority Waste finds that a cart program is more efficient saying, "We are able to grab everything in the most efficient manor". They noted it hastens collections and enhances safety, as recyclables stay drier and workers are no longer required to manually lift and empty containers.
Additionally, a significant material contribution comes from Dow Chemical, which is supplying 1.2 million pounds of plastic resin to aid in the manufacturing of the new carts. This donation underscores a partnership between the city and local industries to make these environmentally friendly upgrades possible. EGLE, referencing national trends, remarked through a news release highlighted by Mid Michigan Now, that Flint joins the 78% of cities nationwide, with populations over 50,000, to adopt a cart collection program—celebrated as the most efficient and cost-effective way to manage curbside waste and recyclables.
The program's success hinges not just on the distribution of carts but also on Flint’s continued partnership with Priority Waste—having extended their contract through mid-2028, which was crucial for securing the necessary grants. Despite financial hurdles, such as a deficit in Flint's garbage fund, the city has proactively utilized rainy-day funds to avoid raising residential assessments. This forward-looking decision aims to lay the groundwork for sustainable, cost-effective waste management long into Flint's future.
