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What happens when you recycle plastic? Not what you might think.

Plastics and other materials sit inside of a drop bin at the recycling center in Emmet County.
Plastics and other materials sit inside of a drop bin at the recycling center in Emmet County. (Photo: Ellie Katz/IPR News)

Most plastic you recycle ends up in the landfill. Some of it joins local and national supply chains to be made into new products. And some actually power a northern Michigan factory.

Today and tomorrow, we take a look at recycling in northern Michigan, with this surprising story from IPR's Vivian La.


Producer: Austin Rowlader
Editing: Steve Junker
Music: Blue Dot Sessions

Vivian La covers how climate change is impacting northern Michigan communities for IPR through a partnership with Grist.
Ed Ronco is IPR's news director and the local host of "Morning Edition."