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Commission flags event recycling gaps, missed grant deadline and plan to reapply
Summary
Members said recycling services were inconsistent at recent events, cardboard collection boxes proved problematic, and the commission missed an IDEM recycling grant deadline; volunteers offered to re-review grant opportunities and coordinate with the county solid-waste district.
At the July 9 meeting the Michigan City Sustainability Commission discussed shortcomings in recycling coverage at recent special events, logistical problems with cardboard collection boxes and outreach needed to secure grant funding.
Members noted PrideFest had recycling in place but Juneteenth and some other events did not. Clerk (Speaker 4) and several commissioners said the La Porte County Solid Waste District is the contracted authority for some event recycling services, which complicates the city's ability to provide municipal bins at every event.
Commissioner discussion focused on the practical shortcomings of the temporary cardboard recycling containers used at events — members said they topple, get contaminated with liquids and can create extra litter when they fail. "Those cardboard ones, they are hard to keep in place until they get full," one member said, and commissioners concluded sturdier containers and a plan to empty materials into a larger dumpster are needed for future events.
The commission also discussed an IDEM recycling grant cycle. Committee member (speaker 8) asked whether the city had applied; a member (speaker 3) responded, "We missed the deadline," and acknowledged the workload challenge of expecting volunteers to complete grant applications alone. Multiple commissioners volunteered to re-check grant cycles and to pursue other climate and recycling grant opportunities that might fit the commission's work.
Separately, the commission announced a household hazardous waste collection this Saturday in the Marquette Mall West parking lot and reminded volunteers about Monday beach cleanups; those items are part of ongoing outreach to encourage recycling and reduce waste at public events.
No formal motions or votes were taken on a new event-recycling policy at this meeting; members agreed to follow up with the county solid-waste district, event organizers and potential grant sources.
