Delhi Township was recently recognized by the 2019 Michigan Green Communities Challenge (MGC) for its commitment to environmental sustainability projects. The township received a gold certificate for its use of a food waste depackager that diverts waste from local landfills. Delhi Township was one of 36 Michigan communities to receive an award for sustainability efforts.
“I am honored Delhi Township has been recognized for its continued efforts to reduce waste entering landfills,” said Sandra Diorka, director of the Delhi Township Department of Public Services. “We take pride in providing creative solutions to improve sustainability and efficiency in our community.”
Delhi’s innovative Recovering Food Waste as Energy program diverts food waste from local landfills by using a food waste depackager that separates food waste from non-food items such as paper, plastic straws and styrofoam. The separated food waste is added to the township’s anaerobic digester, which converts it into methane gas that powers the township’s wastewater treatment plant.
The Food Waste as Energy program currently has several partners including Holt Public Schools, Old Nation Brewery in Williamston, a food bank and several nursing homes that use the depackager to collect and process their food waste.
“I am proud of Delhi Township and the continued dedication our employees demonstrate toward environmental sustainability,” said Tracy Miller, Delhi Township manager. “The Green Communities Gold Star Award is yet another example of our ongoing commitment to making Delhi Township a great place to live, work and raise a family.”
MGC is a statewide network of local governments and university staff that collaborate to promote and advance sustainability initiatives at the local, regional and state levels. MGC is a program of the Michigan Municipal League Foundation and made possible by funding provided by the C.S. Mott Foundation. MGC is a partnership between the Michigan Association of Counties, Michigan Townships Association, Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) and the Michigan Economic Development Corp. (MEDC).