obs Van Buren Conservation District Receives MGSSBF Sustainability Leadership Award for their Recycling Efforts

Distinct local units of State Government, Michigan’s Conservation Districts utilize county, state, federal and private sector resources in the wise use and protection of their lands’ natural resources. The Van Buren Conservation District provides information, technical assistance, workshops, public education, cost-share opportunities, and affordable trees and shrubs for reforestation and restoration of wildlife habitats. It also boasts a robust recycling program.

Its Van Buren County Recycling Guide provides recycling opportunities and tips on how to safely recycle and/or dispose of  everything from acid and aerosol cans to tires and yard waste. The future expansion of its hazardous household waste recycling program will provide drop-off options year ‘round. Currently, residents can bring hazardous household wastes, tires, and confidential documents to collection points in the east and west sides of the county for safe disposal and recycling. In 2019, 35,000 pounds of electronic waste have been recycled so far.

Recycling events provide opportunities for residents to recycle household waste such as aerosol cans, tires, paint, and more.

“Hazardous waste can so easily end up in our ground water and the Great Lakes, which are 20 percent of world’s fresh water. We want people to understand that things that go down to drain end up back in the water they are drinking,” says Emilly Hickmott, Van Buren CD’s first full-time recycling coordinator. “Getting rid of hazardous wastes in a responsible way really affects each and every one of us.”

An empty pesticide container recycling program provides area farmers a safe way to dispose of HDPE plastic jugs. A new program, in concert with the Van Buren Cass District Health Department, will provide county residents with safer disposal of medical sharps.

Van Buren Conservation District provides workshops and educational opportunities on recycling and composting with an emphasis on younger generations.

Recycling projects with Lawton High School, which has a Michigan Green Schools designation, share the importance of reducing waste and the value of environmental stewardship with students. And, a grant funded Van Buren CD initiative has placed recycling bins in every classroom of Decatur Public Schools’ elementary schools. Hickmott believes these efforts not only educate young people about the importance of recycling but also reach their parents.

“The older we get, the harder it is to change our routines and change our habits, especially as busy as our lives have become. If young people set these priorities early on, they will make them priorities as adults,” she says. “Kids also take the message home. They are often innocent and excited about doing the right thing and get on their parents about taking care of the environment, as well. Children are great motivators for the older generations.”

The Van Buren Conservation District promotes the conservation of natural resources through partnerships by providing public education, demonstrations and technical assistance while working together for future generations. Specific services and programs provided include: annual tree and native plant sales, watershed protection projects, groundwater stewardship, irrigation scheduling, conservation practice consulting, farm equipment rentals, local food and farm guide, educational workshops and field days, farm bill program assistance and Michigan Agricultural Environmental Assurance Programs (MAEAP).