According to Southeast Oakland County Resource Recovery Authority, Ferndale’s rate of recycling increased to 9.03% from last years’ 8.55%. Huntington Woods residents had the highest rate, with 21.87%.
The tour starts out in the education center, where youngsters hear a presentation about recycling, and watch a video about the process. Karen Bever, from SOCRRA explained that the more kids recycle, the more money the cities get back from the program. “It costs cities $26 a ton to take away garbage, but for every ton of recycling the city brings in they get a $37.50 credit,” Bever said.
Because raw materials have scarcity, there is value to items that are recyclable. Manufacturers need plastic, metal, glass and paper, so SOCRRA is able to collect these items and sell them. Currently for every ton of recyclables collected, cities in the program get $37.50. If more people recycled, it could earn the City up to $50,000, according to SOCRRA estimates.