Westland to Launch Comprehensive Residential Recycling Education Initiative

For Immediate Release- Official Press Release

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Press Release

Office of

Mayor William R. Wild

36300 Warren Road Westland, Michigan 48185

Office 734.467.3200 / Fax 734.422.1230

WWW.CITYOFWESTLAND.COM

===================================================== Westland to Launch Comprehensive Residential Recycling Education Initiative

Westland, MI - October 22, 2020 – On Monday October 19 The Westland City Council approved the allocation of Sanitation Fund dollars to support the City’s Residential Recycling Education Initiative in the amount of $40,000. This approval will allow the administration to procure items aimed to educate Westland residents about the newly reinstated curbside recycling program.

After having to suspend the program due to the changing economics of recycling, the city was able to reinstitute the popular program in July after an additional sanitation millage was approved by Westland voters. Early results on participation have been very favorable as Westland's recycling tonnage is quickly returning. However, the new required methods of recycling are not being adhered to by all residents and the results have produced many contaminated loads, which unfortunately increases the city's costs dramatically.

This educational outreach will focus on the changes to the program, which include the requirements for all materials to be clean, dry and loose. Glass is also no longer accepted under this new program.

The goals of the education initiative are to increase volume and participation, reduce contamination, and enhance community awareness of acceptable and unacceptable recycling materials. Funds will be used to purchase the following:

Magnets (Qty: 30,000)
Recycling container labels (Qty: 30,000)
Double sided educational postcards (Qty: 30,000)
Single sided educational postcards (Qty: 30,000)
Clear doorknob bags (Qty: 30,000)

"Westland residents care deeply about our city, which is reflected by their incredible recycling participation, having previously diverted over 80 million pounds from the landfill," commented Mayor William R. Wild. "Through active engagement and outreach, we can further our shared goal of creating a sustainable community for future generations."

Distribution of educational materials is expected to take place in the upcoming weeks.

For more information, please call (734) 467-3200.

Westland, Michigan is the state’s 10^th largest municipality, with a population of over 84,000.

Westland has been recognized as one of 24/7 Wall Street’s America’s Best 50 Cities to Live, offering residents and visitors an ideal blend of single – family affordable homes, apartments and condominiums, great schools, and access to numerous outdoor activities. Public safety is delivered by full-service, professional law enforcement and firefighting personnel.

Westland is well known as a premier destination for shopping and dining in Wayne County with hundreds of shops and restaurants anchored by the Westland shopping Center, one of the country's original four regional malls.

The City is served by two public school districts; Wayne-Westland Community Schools serving 12,000 youth was recently named one of the best schools in Michigan by WXYZ-TV and is the proud recipient of 14 Golden Apple and two Michigan Blue Ribbon Exemplary School Awards. Livonia Public Schools, educating nearly 15,000 students, is proud of their MEAP/MME scores that exceed State averages and the district has also earned Golden Apple and Michigan Blue Ribbon Exemplary School awards.

The City provides competitive incentives for those who are interested in investing in Westland, making it one of the hottest investment markets in the region. Westland's Fast-Track to Business Team, which consists of key decision makers who work diligently to “cut the red tape” and expedite the approval process for new business development.