Date: March 12, 2026
Time: 12:00 PM ET (11:00 AM CT)
Location: Zoom

Webinar Topic: Modernizing Michigan’s Bottle Deposit System: Insights from New Research
Guest Speaker: Shelli Miller, Jonathan W. Buckley Collegiate, Co-Director – Centre for Sustainable Systems School for Environment and Sustainability | University of Michigan
Moderator: Ally Walker, Program Officer, Circular Economy, Council of the Great Lakes Region

Michigan’s bottle deposit law has long been viewed as a national model for beverage container recycling, yet declining redemption rates signal the need for thoughtful modernization. A new, comprehensive study examines the effectiveness of Michigan’s deposit system by analyzing the drivers behind falling redemption rates, benchmarking Michigan against other leading programs, and incorporating insights from a wide range of industry stakeholders. Supported by the Council of the Great Lakes Region (CGLR) and other strategic partners, the research concluded with a report that offers data-driven recommendations to strengthen the system’s ability to reduce waste, support a circular economy, and advance Michigan’s broader sustainability and recycling goals.

In this webinar, we will explore the study’s key findings and what they mean for the future of recycling policy and infrastructure in Michigan and across the Great Lakes region. Discussion topics will include shifting consumer behavior, the growing role of curbside recycling, inequities in redemption access between urban and rural communities, and the implications of increased unredeemed deposits for state funding priorities. The webinar will also examine opportunities for reform, such as expanding covered beverages, reinvesting escheat funds into recycling infrastructure, and aligning bottle bill modernization with Michigan’s Healthy Climate Plan.

The webinar will feature Shelie Miller, a lead researcher on the study, who will walk participants through the analysis and recommendations and offer insight into how Michigan’s experience can inform bottle deposit policy and circular economy efforts throughout the Great Lakes region. Attendees will gain a clearer understanding of the tradeoffs, opportunities, and policy pathways needed to ensure deposit systems remain effective, equitable, and resilient in the years ahead.

SPEAKER:

Shelli Miller | Jonathan W. Buckley Collegiate, Co-Director – Centre for Sustainable Systems School for Environment and Sustainability | University of Michigan

MODERATOR:

Ally Walker | Program Officer, Circular Economy
Ally Walker is the Program Officer of Circular Economy at the Council of the Great Lakes Region, where she leads several key projects under the Circular Great Lakes initiative, including the Great Lakes Plastic Cleanup, Boat Wrap Recycling Program, Dart Stormwater Grant, Return to Retail Takeback Program, and Legislative Outreach and Education project. Since joining CGLR in 2022, Ally has combined her background in sustainability policy, regional recycling systems, and stakeholder engagement to drive cross-sector solutions that advance a more circular economy. She holds a Master’s in Public and International Affairs from the University of Pittsburgh and is passionate about building lasting change through informed policymaking and collaboration.