Plastics engineering

Most plastic ends up in the landfill, some joins local and national supply chains to be made into new products, and the trickiest ones power a northern Michigan factory.

When the Michigan legislature passed a historic overhaul of the state’s waste management law, recycling proponents celebrated. But not everyone was happy with some aspects of the new policy - they say it opens the door to “industrial plastic burning.”

A shortage in skilled labor is prompting some colleges to expand their offerings in those fields. Mid Michigan College has announced it’s expanding its…