Downtown? Don't Throw That Bottle In The Trash!

Did you feel guilty at the parade when you tossed your juice bottle in the trash receptacle in downtown Saline?

With the new recycling containers downtown, you won’t feel need to feel that way again.

The city’s Environmental Commission purchased and placed five recycling containers in downtown Saline. There are two on South Ann Arbor Street, two on North Ann Arbor Street and another at by the ball diamonds.

According to David Rhoads, Saline City Council’s representative on the Environmental Commission, the containers were purchased using money from the commission’s budget for $617 each from Miracle of Michigan and Indiana.

The containers are located conveniently next to trash receptacles, “so that users can see they have a choice on disposing of the items in their hand,” Rhoads said.

The receptacles are designed for bottles and cans, which, Rhoads said, are most likely the recyclable items individuals possess while walking around downtown. Rhoads said the commission hopes to provide options for people who wish to recycle other items, such as pizza boxes and newspapers.

“The commission thought it would be best to begin establishing a recycling mentality with those two items (bottles and cans) first,” he said.

The containers are serviced by Waste Management, the same firm under contract with the city for home recycling.

Rhoads said the presence of the recycling containers is another sign of the city’s approach to sustainability.

“The presence of the recycling containers, the electric vehicle charging station and the very successful electronic waste recycling event are examples of our citizens’ concerns about the environment and their desire to maintain our quality of life. I believe this is also indicative of our smaller town mindset, our willingness to help others and to keep Saline a great place to live,” he said, adding that with the exception of Ann Arbor, Saline is the only city in the area with an active Environmental Commission.

The commission continues to work look for new ways to make Saline a green city by reviewing by-laws and ordinances. The board is also developing its page on the city’s website to provide citizens with tips and facts on sustainable living in Saline. Rhoads said he’d like to the see the city be a little more encouraging of efforts to become environmentally friendly. He said he’d like to see awards and public recognition for residents and businesses who engage in green measures, such as installing solar panels, ground water heat pumps and rain gardens.

“We are not allowed to offer city financial incentives for those activities but we should encourage them,” Rhoads said. “There are many things which an average family could do with little expense to reduce their energy and water bills.”

The Environmental Commission is made up of Cornelius Crawford, chair, Marsha Belaire, Christian Boe, Steven Diebol, Mary Hess and Leslee Niethammer.  The city staff liaisons are Robert Scull and Connie DeHaan. The commission has initiated a Citizens Advisory Group for people who wish to help support environmental initiatives.

“My hope is that we can expand the advisory group from the current three members to include a greater cross-section of the community and to learn from the intelligent and creative individuals around us,” Rhoads said.

To learn more about the environmental commission, stop by its booth at the Saline Farmers Market Saturday, or visit its page on the city website.