The WWRA is subsidized by a group of six local communities that work cooperatively to implement residential recycling programs in the Townships of Dexter, Lyndon, Bridgewater, Manchester and Lima, and the City of Chelsea. The townships are served by convenient drop-off centers while the City of Chelsea have weekly Curbside Recycling pick up.

WWRA has expanded over the years to a 10,000 square foot facility that allows for the sorting and processing of News Paper, Office Paper, Cardboard, Magazines, 1 thru 7 plastics, Small metals, Aluminum, Clear, Brown and Green Glass Bottles and Jars.

WWRA continually evaluates opportunities to capture as much material as possible to recycle that would normally be thrown into the trash. We have implemented a Recycling Container Program to support local events such as the Chelsea Fair, Chelsea Summer Fest, Chelsea October Fest, Manchester Fireworks, Manchester Fair, Manchester Chicken Broil, Manchester Riverfolk Festival, and Saline 4-H. We are also supporting the Chelsea School systems recycling program with containers in the schools and at Foot Ball games, tennis and soccer fields. Free of charge WWRA will deliver and pick up 55 Gallon containers to these events.

A fact note: WWRA collected an estimated 22,000 plastic bottles from these events this past summer, normally they would have been thrown in the landfill.   

It's projected that WWRA will process 8,000,000 lbs of material in 2010.  

We accept Car and Truck Batteries for recycling at no charge.

We also accept used Motor Oils, Hydraulic Fluid, Transmission Fluid, Gear Lube and cooking oils. These oils are recycled and burned in our Clean Burn Furnace to heat the facility saving energy usage. No charge to drop off at our 24/7 Oil Drop Off located at the entrance of the Werkner Road facility.    

We do not accept Anti Freeze, Paints, Toxic Fluids and materials, Styrofoam, Plastic Bags, TVs or Household Batteries. Visit the Washtenaw County Home Toxic Center Guide and information to properly dispose of the above mentioned material. http://recycle.ewashtenaw.org or call (734) 222-3950

WWRA Mission Statement:

Our goal and purpose at WWRA is to Reduce, Reuse and Recycle as much material as possible to preserve a Clean, Green environment for our future generations. The more we recycle less energy will be consumed to help preserve our natural resources.     

$2.5 Million Dollar Future Facility Expansion County Bond Approved:

WWRAs growth over the years has met its maximum material capacity in its current facility. The WWRA board has approved plans to expand its current facility and replace its aging equipment to support existing conditions and in preparation for future recycling demands. "Pending financial support" WWRA is a Non Profit authority supported by tax subsidies and material sales. Received monies from material sales is placed back into the authority to help offset operating cost. Thanks to the efforts of the WWRA board and management team they can proudly say that all of its assets are paid for with no outstanding debts.

Construction for the new addition is scheduled to start in May of 2012, the new equipment should be installed and ready for operation by October of this year.

Single Stream Recycling Program

WWRA has a vision to make recycling easier for the public by switching to a Single Stream System. SSS means the residents can place all recycling material into one container or in any bin portal at the recycling collection centers. The dual stream process we use today is labor intensive, time consuming and requires a lot of expensive equipment. SSS reduces the labor, reduces the amount of equipment, reduces fuel cost and equipment wear and tear. Nationwide projections indicate an increase in material volume that could generate as much as $100,000 more in annual revenues and save $50,000 in fuel and equipment cost. The set backs to achieving this goal is not enough room, WWRA sits on 5 acres with a 20,000 sq ft facility. Ideally we would like to have about ten acres of land so we can expand our recycling efforts into other areas such as roofing shingles, E-Waste etc. Where we are today will not allow us to expand these efforts but we can expand the facility and install new SSS equipment but at a cost. Estimates project the cost to do this will be around $3.4M dollars. If anyone would like to donate property in the area it would be considerably cheaper and allow us to expand our efforts. We're not here to spend money, our job, goal and mission is to protect and preserve the environment but we need the equipment and tools to make it happen. Chelsea Curbside Residents will be notified by mail asking what kind of recycling container they would like to receive, a 64 Gallon, a 48 Gallon wheeled container or a 24 gallon bin.                      

Expanding the Area Coverage

WWRA currently supports Six Townships, Villages and the City of Chelsea covering a 25 mile radius from its Chelsea facility. WWRA has a mission to explore the opportunity to recycle more and expand into neighboring areas and support them with recycling programs.    

Expanding Material Recovery Efforts

WWRA is investigating new opportunities to recover Styrofoam, E-Waste, metals and demolition materials.

The WWRA can be reached at:

Western Washtenaw Recycling Authority

8025 Werkner Rd.

Chelsea, MI, 48118

Manager: Phil Bolyard

Phone: 734-475-6160

Fax: 734-475-7341

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