In the heart of Marquette, a dedicated volunteer is making waves with an innovative cigarette butt recycling program that stands out not only in the Upper Peninsula but across Michigan. During the recent Marquette City Commission meeting, Alex Conklin shared updates on this unique initiative, which has successfully diverted hundreds of thousands of cigarette butts from local waterways.

Conklin explained how the program operates in collaboration with the Lake Superior Watershed Partnership. Volunteers collect discarded cigarette butts from various catch basins around the city, ensuring they are dried and packaged for shipment to TerraCycle, a company specializing in recycling hard-to-recycle waste. Remarkably, this initiative incurs no cost to the city or the partnership, showcasing a sustainable model for environmental stewardship.

However, Conklin raised concerns about the current collection system. He noted that the existing collection tubes, installed at four locations, are not adequately protected from rain, leading to the unfortunate situation where collected butts turn to mush. He proposed a simple solution: adding a hinged cover to these tubes to keep the contents dry and maintain the integrity of the recycling effort.

In addition to the recycling program, Conklin highlighted a troubling incident at one of the best collection points, the Bridal Light and Power site. While the location has been effective for collecting cigarette butts, Conklin discovered a hazardous lithium battery among the trash. He expressed concern over the potential fire risk posed by improperly disposed batteries, especially when mixed with still-smoldering cigarette butts. Conklin urged the city to provide guidance on safe disposal options for lithium batteries to prevent future incidents.

As the meeting concluded, Conklin's passionate plea underscored the importance of community involvement in environmental initiatives and the need for continued support from city officials. His efforts not only aim to keep Marquette clean but also to foster a culture of responsible waste disposal among residents. The city now faces the challenge of addressing these concerns while supporting the ongoing success of the recycling program.