Michigan’s recycling rate grew almost 5% over the last five years, setting a new state record.

Statewide environmental regulators said Michigan’s recycling rate rose from 14.25% before 2019 to currently exceeding an estimated 21%.

Matt Fletcher, the recycling market development specialist for the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy says three in four Michigan residents now have access to recycling in their communities.

Improving the recycling rate is a key part of Whitmer’s healthy climate plan for the state.

According to M-Live, under Michigan’s new materials management laws, counties will have three years to create plans to oversee local recycling, composting, and landfilling of household and business waste streams.

If they don’t make their own plans, state officials will do it for them.

Whitmer’s plan aims to raise the recycling rate to 30% by 2029.