Benton Harbor residents recycle 20,000 pounds of water bottles

mdhhs343-2
mdhhs343-2

As free water is distributed throughout the city of Benton Harbor, residents have responded by recycling more than 20,000 pounds of empty plastic water bottles through a recycling program organized by the state of Michigan.

According to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, more than 16 million bottles of free water have been distributed to Benton Harbor residents since September 2021, as lead water service lines are replaced throughout the city. Nine trailers of empty water bottles have been processed and a tenth trailer is currently accepting empty water bottles.

The water bottle recycling trailer is now located in Housing Commission parking lot, 721
Nate Wells Sr. Drive. This location is adjacent to the water distribution site at the Boys and
Girls Club at 600 Nate Wells Sr Drive. 

The MDHHS is encouraging residents to take home 33-gallon, clear plastic bags from the
bottle distribution site to return empty water bottles at the Housing Commission during
water distribution hours. Caps may be left on the bottles and bottles can be crushed, but
do not need to be in order to be recycled. Only water bottles can be recycled at this site.

Free bottled water continues to be provided by the MDHHS for City of Benton Harbor residents for cooking, drinking, brushing teeth, rinsing foods and mixing powdered infant formula. The most recent figures show more than 70 percent of lead lines have been replaced by copper lines.

To arrange water delivery to homebound or residents without transportation in the City of Benton Harbor, contact 211, which is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Phones that cannot contact 211 should contact 844-875-9211.

Residents can pick up water at Boys and  Girls Club of Benton Harbor on the following dates:

  • Saturday, July 23, 12 to 2 p.m.
  • Sunday, July 24, 2 to 4 p.m.
  • Tuesday, July 26, 9 to 11 a.m.

Southwest Community Action Agency, 331 Miller Street, is hosting water pickup on the following dates:

  • Thursday, July 21, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
  • Friday, July 22, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
  • Monday, July 25, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
  • Wednesday, July 27, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.