American Recycling Center Invests in Safety and Skill

When most people think of recycling centers, they picture bins of paper, plastic, and glass. But at American Recycling Center, the focus is on rubber. Located in Owosso, the facility specializes in recycling rubber scrap—primarily from the automotive industry—and transforming it into pellets used to create rubberized tracks, playgrounds, and pool decking across the country. In 2023 alone, the company diverted over 42 million pounds of rubber from landfills.

With large-scale machinery at the core of its operations, American Recycling Center understands that employee safety is critical. To strengthen its commitment to workforce safety and development, the company partnered with GST Michigan Works! to apply for the Going PRO Talent Fund during Fiscal Year 2024 Cycle 2.

Their application was approved, securing $16,123.04 in funding to train 13 employees in essential safety areas, including OSHA 10 certification. This targeted investment helped reinforce a strong safety culture, reduce incidents, and improve employee confidence.

The impact went beyond compliance. Employees expressed appreciation for the training, recognizing the company’s investment in their well-being. As a result, American Recycling saw improved morale and increased retention—key outcomes for a growing operation.

Encouraged by the success of the training and the partnership with GST Michigan Works!, American Recycling Center plans to apply for additional funding in the next Going PRO cycle to continue building a skilled and safety-conscious workforce.