MSU and Whirlpool tell House panel circular economy could recover resources, create jobs; committee members ask about recycling and EV batteries

Michigan State University researchers and a Whirlpool Corporation sustainability manager briefed the Michigan House Committee on Natural Resources and Tourism on the concept of a circular economy, arguing it could capture materials now lost to landfills and support new jobs and competitiveness for Michigan industry.

Dr. Rex Lamour, director of the Center for Community and Economic Development at Michigan State University, told the committee the state currently operates largely under a "linear" take‑make‑dispose model and estimated that capturing materials currently lost to landfills could secure about $600,000,000 in resources and create up to 4,500 jobs in recycling, reuse and remanufacturing sectors. He said the circular economy aims to "design out waste, to keep products and materials in circulation, and, where feasible, regenerate those materials." He added that multidisciplinary research at Michigan State involves…