If you see people rummaging through your recycling cart this summer, don’t be alarmed.

Recipients include Ann Arbor Public Schools, Recycle Ann Arbor, city of Ypsilanti, Dexter Community Schools, Western Washtenaw Recycling Authority and Washtenaw Regional Resource Management Authority. The department’s support of new research, education and recycling activities in Washtenaw County comes as Michigan sees an increase in curbside recycling as residents work from home, according to a release from EGLE. In addition to the $1.58 million in Washtenaw County grants, EGLE will build on the state-wide Know It Before You Throw It recycling education campaign, which launched last year. Western Washtenaw Recycling Authority (WWRA) was awarded $458,370 to purchase sorting equipment and a new truck. Another goal of the Washtenaw County funding is to reduce the number of contaminated recyclables that end up in recycling bins by providing educational messaging.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. The Washtenaw Regional Resource Management Authority has won a $125,000 grant from The Recycling Partnership and the Michigan Department of Energy, Great Lakes, and Environment. The grant will support WRRMAs goal of reducing recycling contamination, improving the long-term sustainability of local recycling systems and increasing the recycling rate of member communities. We know from experience that educating residents to recycle the correct way is key to creating and sustaining successful recycling programs for WRRMAs member communities in Washtenaw County, said Martin. According to the release, approximately 30-35% of the materials currently recycled by Washtenaw County residents in WRRMAs service territory are contaminated by non-recyclable items like food waste and plastic bags. In other US cities, the TRP tagging program has shown a 20-40% decrease in recycling contamination.