American Beverage has announced they are partnering with the Van Buren Conservation District to expand recycling services for thousands of residents.
The group has awarded a $150,000 grant to upgrade infrastructure at four township transfer stations, adding new drop-off recycling capacity for more than 17,000 people in Van Buren County.
Michigan Beverage Association President and CEO Derek Bajema says the investment is aimed at making it easier for families to recycle bottles and cans.
“This investment will make it easier for Van Buren County families to recycle bottles and cans, and help those materials get collected and remade into new products as intended,” said Bajema.
“By working hand-in-hand with local and state leaders, we’re delivering meaningful results that improve recycling systems and reduce waste in communities across Michigan.”
The grant, combined with funding from the state and local contributions, will support construction, site development, and installation of compactors. Officials say the improvements are expected to divert more than four million pounds of recyclables from landfills over the next decade, including plastic and aluminum that can be remade into new beverage containers.
The company says this is the 12th “Every Bottle Back” project in Michigan, part of a broader industry effort launched in 2019 to strengthen recycling programs nationwide.
