Jessica Matthews / news@whmi.com A ribbon cutting ceremony marks the long-awaited completion of the new Livingston Recycling facility. The nonprofit is run primarily by volunteers and is located on Cutrell Drive in Howell. A ribbon cutting and open house was held Monday afternoon with various officials, volunteers, board members and members of the public in attendance. The event also featured the Five Hearts Worm Farm and Big Red Bucket. Funding for the project comes from government grants and the Kellogg Family Foundation. The new building was named the Kellogg Environmental Center. A significant event will take place in April. A new office and baler building was also constructed to accommodate future expansion. Executive Director Julie Cribley told WHMI, “This is a big day,” and they have finally achieved a truly landmark goal. She expressed her gratitude to all the volunteers, all those who serve on the board and all the members who have served for over 35 years. Cribley said it was a tribute to everyone and the community for making recycling so important and supporting it with their “time, money and sweat,” and she was extremely grateful to everyone involved. Cribley added that she is really looking forward to building a more financially independent future for them so they can continue to grow and continue to do great things in recycling in the community. Cribley said there are typically 100 to 200 vehicles passing through on any given drop-off day. This means hundreds of tons of waste are collected, which will help prevent items from ending up in landfill. Howell Mayor Bob Ellis noted that the city has a recycling program, but the number of items accepted is limited. This also does not apply to the CBD (residential areas only), meaning that people and businesses living above the city center have nowhere to recycle. Ellis said the new facility will be a tremendous resource, and the permanent structure represents a fruitful partnership between the city, Recycling Livingston and the Kellogg Family Foundation. A Special Congressional Certificate of Honor was also presented to Recycle Livingston on behalf of Livingston County Congresswoman Alice Slotkin.
Post time: Nov-01-2023