Stay in the Know - Subscribe to Our Newsletters
Join a network of more than 90,000 waste and recycling industry professionals. Get the latest news and insights straight to your inbox. Free.
Flint's Next Issue: What to Do With Empty Water Bottles?
January 28, 2016
1 Min Read
NBC News
The temporary solution to the lead-tainted water emergency in Flint, Michigan — using only bottled water — is creating yet another dilemma for a city already in the throes of a major environmental disaster.
"We have this influx of plastic coming into our community," said Kris Thiel, vice president of Young's Environmental Cleanup, a private hazardous waste hauling company that has donated four large recycling receptacles to Flint. In less than 24 hours, one of the bins filled up with a whopping 680 pounds of empty water bottles, Thiel told NBC News.
The bins are filling up faster than the city can empty them — especially since only a sliver of residents are signed up for curbside recycling, according to Michigan Public Radio.
You May Also Like
.png?width=300&auto=webp&quality=80&disable=upscale)