At Granger Waste Services, we believe sustainability isn’t just about what we do today—it’s about preparing tomorrow’s leaders to carry the torch. That’s why we were proud to participate in the 2025 EGLE Michigan Student Sustainability Summit, a one-of-a-kind event that brought together more than 300 middle and high school students from across the state to celebrate environmental stewardship and explore the future of sustainability in Michigan.
A Day of Learning, Exploring and Inspiring
As part of the Summit, Granger had the privilege of hosting a field experience at our Lansing facility for 6th – 12th grade students. Our engineering team started with an engaging presentation detailing how we manage waste responsibly and capture landfill gas for the creation of renewable energy. Students learned about the process of building a new landfill cell, including the labor, expense and regulatory concerns. Additionally, they were able to see firsthand some of the materials we use to create the landfill cell’s protective layers. The engineering team also explained the real-world impact of sustainable waste and energy solutions.
From there, students boarded a bus for a guided tour of our operations, where they got a direct look at the following:
- Our Recycling Center, where materials are sorted and prepared for reuse
- The landfill working face, where waste is carefully managed and compacted
- Our landfill gas-to-energy system, where methane is captured then turned over to our energy partner, EDL, to be converted to renewable natural gas
For many students, it was their first time seeing how waste can be used as a resource. The experience sparked curiosity and a deeper understanding of the role they can play in protecting our environment.
Celebrating Youth-Led Impact
Later in the day, we joined students, educators and environmental leaders at Michigan State University for the Summit’s awards ceremony. Granger was honored to sponsor the 2025 Environmental Service Awards, which recognize the creativity, commitment and leadership of middle and high school students who are already making a difference in their communities.
Why It Matters
Events like the Michigan Student Sustainability Summit are more than just educational—they’re empowering. They show students that their voices matter, their actions count and their ideas can shape a more sustainable future. At Granger, we’re committed to supporting these efforts because we know that real change happens when communities, businesses and individuals work together.
Whether it’s through our daily operations, our commitment to renewable energy or our outreach to the next generation, we’re proud to be part of Michigan’s sustainability story.
