Livingston County’s main recycling operation is about to see a major renovation to its facilities.
Recycle Livingston, whose office currently works out of a trailer, will be constructing a new headquarters building at its drop-off site in Howell as well purchasing new compacting and bailing equipment and replacing a forklift and two heavy-duty pallet jacks in an effort to increase its recycling capabilities.
The volunteer-run nonprofit presented plans last week to Howell City Council on a grant from the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy for more than $282,000 along with $171,000 in matching funds from the Kellogg Family Foundation. The city, which leases the Catrell Street property to Recycle Livingston for $1, a year, will act as a fiduciary for the project.
According to the agreement, the new administrative building will be renamed the Kellogg Environmental Center, while the overall operation itself will retain the title of Recycle Livingston. Site preparation will begin this winter, with the new building and equipment being added over the course of 2023.
Recycle Livingston Executive Director Julie Cribley told GIGO News that they are thrilled to begin work on this important improvement to their recycling operations.
“We are so grateful for the support we have received from our membership, our volunteers, the City of Howell, the Kellogg Foundation, and EGLE,” she said. “2023 is promising to be a great year!”
Cribley says that currently they are able to compact materials, but with the ability to bail them on their own they can seek higher financial compensation, and in turn, she hopes they can expand the types of materials they can collect as well as increase membership.
