There's big cash in recyclable goods ending up in the trash, according to the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, which is working to develop emerging business markets as Gov. Rick Snyder pushes to double the statewide recycling rate.
"We're woefully behind on our recycling," DEQ Director Dan Wyant told lawmakers last week. "We have a real opportunity, not only because consumers want to do this, but because there are markets for the stuff people throw away. We can lower input costs, we can create jobs and opportunity around recycling."