City of Rockford Taking the Lead on New Public Recycling

What started as a pilot recycling program for the city of Rockford has now turned into a permanent plan to reduce waste being taken to landfills.

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Pilot Recycling Program in Rockford 17 YouTube Channel

When the pandemic started, many cities tried to help local restaurants and bars by setting up outdoor eating and drinking areas. It was a great idea but now there needed to be a way to deal with the trash that would come from these outdoor establishments.

The city of Rockford worked on a project with the Kent County Department of Public Works on getting the public to separate the trash from what could be recycled. This was only supposed to be a temporary program until businesses got back to normal.

The whole purpose of separating trash and recycling is to reduce the amount of waste going to the area's landfills.

The project in Rockford was such a success the city has decided to make the new trash and recycle bins a permanent fixture.

Rockford is Permanently Keeping Trash and Recycling Bins

If you are in Rockford anytime soon and you see two different trash cans next to each other, pay attention to the labeling because one is for trash and the other is for recycling.

According to Fox 17, trash and recycle bins will be located at all parks and municipal buildings. If you would like to suggest an area you will like to see more SORT bins click here.

If you would like to see a video on the progress Rockford has made with the trash and recycle bins click here.

West Michigan Should Expand Trash and Recycle Program

It is great what Rockford is doing with their separation of trash and recycling bins being put throughout the community. I would really like to see this idea spread across West Michigan.

I used to bear hunt in Canada and at all the gas stations and restaurants, I saw three-way bins. One bin was for paper products, a second bin was for plastic and a third bin was for waste. I think this is a really great system and even though I was a visitor, I quickly adapted to the idea.

I would love to see this idea happen right here in West Michigan. Rockford has already stepped out front as a leader, this would be a great time for other communities to follow up on this great idea.