#protectourplanet

Got old batteries, worn-out tires, broken electronics, or other hard-to-dispose-of items piling up at home? This summer and fall, communities across Michigan are making it easier than ever to recycle responsibly.

The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) has announced a statewide lineup of recycling and household hazardous waste collection events designed to keep valuable materials out of landfills and protect public health and the environment. From Detroit and Wayne County to Marquette, Leelanau, and South Haven, residents will have numerous opportunities to safely dispose of items that don't belong in the trash.

Events include electronic waste collections, household hazardous waste drop-offs, recycling roundups, and community recycling days. Some locations require advance registration, so residents are encouraged to plan ahead and check local event details.

Whether you're cleaning out the garage, decluttering the basement, or finally getting rid of that old computer, these events provide a convenient way to recycle responsibly and help create a cleaner, more sustainable Michigan.

Ready to recycle?

Check your local community's schedule and turn unwanted items into an opportunity to protect Michigan's environment this season.

If you don’t find an event listed below, be sure to search EGLE’s directory of collections at Michigan.gov/egleHHW.

Detroit: Belle Isle Art Fair — Aug. 1-2, 2006

South Haven: Household Hazardous Waste Recycle Roundup — Aug. 1, 2026

Kalkaska County: Household Hazardous Waste Collection – August 1, 2026

Auburn Hills: Household Hazardous Waste Collection – August 7, 2026

Charlotte/Eaton County: Recycle Palooza — Aug. 8, 2026

Marquette County: Household Hazardous Waste Day – August 8, 2026

Washington Township: Household Hazardous Waste Collection – August 8, 2026

Manistee County: Household Hazardous Waste Collection - August 15, 2026

Washtenaw County: Household Hazardous Waste Collection - Aug 15 & 29

Genesee County: Genesee County Recycle Day — Aug.18, 2026

Davison: Household Hazardous Waste Collection – August 18, 2026

Midland County: Household Hazardous Waste Collection – August 19, 2026

Maple City: Leelanau Electronic Waste Day — Aug. 22, 2026

Westland: Household Hazardous Waste Collection – August 23, 2026

Wayne County: Household Hazardous Waste Collection – August 29, 2026

Garden City: Household Hazardous Waste Collection – August 29, 2026

Calhoun County: Household Hazardous Waste Collection — Sept. 14, 2026

Lawrence: Household Hazardous Waste Recycle Roundup — Oct. 17, 2026

Big news for the Great Lakes! A Michigan tribal community has released more than 1 million fish (901,995 walleye fingerlings and 278,819 lake whitefish across the Upper Peninsula and Northern Lower Michigan) into the Great Lakes in an effort to restore a species that holds deep cultural significance and plays an important role in the region's ecosystem.

This remarkable conservation effort is about more than boosting fish populations—it's about honoring traditions, protecting natural resources, and ensuring future generations can maintain a connection to a culturally sacred species. Tribal leaders, biologists, and conservation partners are working together to strengthen populations that have faced decades of challenges from habitat loss, invasive species, and environmental change.

The release demonstrates how Indigenous stewardship and modern science can work hand in hand to restore and protect the Great Lakes. Every fish released represents a step toward healthier waters, stronger ecosystems, and the preservation of cultural heritage.

As communities across Michigan continue to invest in conservation, this inspiring milestone shows that large-scale restoration is possible when people come together with a shared vision for the future.

Hello everyone! I'm Faded Aquarius, but you can call me Fae, Faded, or Aqua. Whatever is easiest!

I design wildlife and nature inspired tees, tanks, and gifts. But this shop isn't just about art. It's about survival for the refuges I love, and for the animals they protect.

Here's the reality:

I'm trained and educated as an environmental conservationist. But where I live, budget cuts have made it nearly impossible to get a position in my field. So I work full time as a waitress in a small town, and spend every other waking hour volunteering at local wildlife refuges.

Right now, there are only FIVE paid employees covering THREE refuges. Five. For three wildlife refuges. And then there's me, volunteering alongside them.

🌊🌱That's why I started this shop. Every purchase helps me volunteer full time at these refuges and possibly expand to another that needs help. Your support doesn't just buy a design. It buys time, time for me to be out there, in the blazing heat, hands in the dirt, protecting what can't protect itself! Being the voice of these creatures that can't speak for themselves. YOU help give them hope for a brighter tomorrow.

Thank you so much for being part of this❣️

Shop with purpose → TEEPUBLIC:

Or

Earth is our only home—let's protect it together. This World Population Day, spread awareness, support healthier communities, and work towards a sustainable future for everyone. 💚

The Great Lakes are often celebrated for their vast open waters—but just as critical are the wetlands quietly working behind the scenes. Thanks to a new $12 million EPA grant, these vital ecosystems are getting the attention they deserve.

A long-running monitoring effort led by Central Michigan University is entering a new phase, with scientists returning to wetlands across the region to collect data that shapes conservation decisions. From tracking fish populations to studying plants, birds, and water quality, this program captures a comprehensive picture of wetland health—information that restoration planners rely on to prioritize projects and measure success.

What makes this work especially powerful is consistency. Before this initiative began in 2010, data collection methods varied widely, making it difficult to compare conditions across the basin. Today, standardized protocols allow scientists and policymakers to assess changes, identify stressors, and direct funding where it’s needed most.

And the stakes are high. Coastal wetlands are among the Great Lakes’ most productive habitats, supporting fish spawning, bird nesting, shoreline protection, and natural filtration of water. Yet they’ve also been heavily altered over decades by development, pollution, and invasive species.

In short, this funding isn’t just about research—it’s about resilience. By keeping the monitoring program alive, the EPA is helping ensure that decisions affecting the Great Lakes are guided by solid science. And that’s good news for wildlife, communities, and the future of one of the world’s most important freshwater systems.

Big news for Michigan’s waterways: a $10 million investment is set to keep the Detroit River’s remarkable comeback on track.

Announced by state and federal partners, this funding marks another milestone in restoring one of the region’s most important natural assets—both ecologically and economically. And the progress is already visible.

From Pollution to Progress

Once heavily polluted from decades of industrial activity and runoff, the Detroit River has been steadily rebounding since its designation as an “Area of Concern” in 1987. [State and...estoration]

Today, riverfront areas that were once degraded now feature parks, wildlife habitats, and revitalized shorelines. This latest funding aims to tackle one of the final challenges: contaminated sediment cleanup—a crucial step toward full restoration.

Where the Money Goes

The investment combines $6.5 million from the EPA with $3.5 million from Michigan’s state funds, supporting projects that will:

Remove toxic sediment from the riverbed

Restore natural habitats

Improve water quality

Expand safe public access to the river

In short, it’s about making the river cleaner, healthier, and more accessible for everyone—from anglers and boaters to local communities.

Strong Partnerships Driving Change

This effort isn’t happening in isolation. It’s powered by collaboration between agencies and organizations at all levels—federal, state, and local.

That teamwork has already transformed parts of the riverfront, and this new funding ensures that momentum continues.

Why It Matters

The Detroit River isn’t just a waterway—it’s a lifeline. It supports wildlife, recreation, commerce, and the quality of life for communities all along its banks.

With this latest investment, the vision is clear: A river that’s not only restored, but thriving—for generations to come.