MADISON HEIGHTS, Mich. – A new initiative to improve waste management across the city of Madison Heights is underway, with the distribution of new trash and recycling carts to over 10,000 homes.
Over the coming weeks, city crews will be seen riding through neighborhoods, delivering uniform trash carts and recycling carts as part of the city’s largest waste management project in decades.
Mayor Roslyn Grafstein expressed excitement about the program, emphasizing its significance and importance.
“This is huge,” Mayor Grafstein said. “This is our biggest waste management project in our 70-year history.”
The new initiative aims to create a cleaner, more organized community by providing residents with standardized trash bins and recycling carts.
Grafstein highlighted the environmental and aesthetic benefits.
“It’ll make everything look nicer,” Grafstein said. “Make everything look cleaner. As well as helping the environment with the recycling.”
For residents like Jennifer Bartleman, the new program will bring much-needed relief.
Previously, neighbors left bags of garbage on the streets for pickup days, which often led to rodent problems and unsanitary conditions.
Jennifer shared, “Well, the streets can get pretty trashy on windy days. With trash going out and things getting kicked over.”
The new carts will ensure that trash and recyclables are contained, preventing litter and improving neighborhood cleanliness.
Community members Kathy and Darrell Edwards expressed optimism about the distribution process and the program’s potential impact.
“Oh, this is going to be really wonderful. I think it’s going to turn out really good,” Kathy said as she watched the cart distribution.
The city has partnered with Cascade Cart Solutions, a woman-owned company based in Michigan, to supply the new bins.
Approximately half of the expenses for this initiative are covered by state grants.
Grafstein also noted the financial benefits of the program, saying, “This is going to save us money. This is going to save us about $200,000 a year. So, it’s not a situation where we want something nice and it’s going to cost us more; we want something nice and it’s actually going to save us money in the long run.”
The distribution of the carts is expected to be completed by Sept. 1, with the new waste collection program officially launching on Oct. 1.