LANSING – House Democrats today unveiled a plan to stem the flow of Canadian and out-of-state trash into Michigan. The plan, which was taken up by the House Great Lakes and Environment Committee, is aimed at attacking the influx of imported trash that is threatening Michigan's land, air, water, roads and the safety of our residents.
"Residents have told me over and over again that they want us, as lawmakers, to halt the flood of trash from other states and Canada," said State Representative Rebekah Warren (D-Ann Arbor), Chair of the House Great Lakes and Environment Committee. "It's time to stop allowing these out-of-state companies from making a profit by putting our roads and natural resources at risk. We owe it to future generations to protect our waterways and our way of life, and to ensure that we remain the Great Lakes State."
According to a recent report by the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), 30 percent of trash in Michigan landfills comes from Canada and other states. The amount of imported trash dumped in Michigan landfills increased in 2008, primarily due to dramatic increases of trash imports from states like New Jersey, which dumped more than 700,000 tons of trash in Michigan – nearly double the amount of two years ago. The largest exporter of trash into Michigan, however, was Canada, which accounted for nearly 19 percent of the total amount of trash dumped in our state last year.
"It's simply wrong that nearly one in every three bags of trash disposed in Michigan landfills is from Canada or out-of-state," said State Representative Sarah Roberts (D-St. Clair Shores), a sponsor of the plan. "Macomb County is one of the largest recipients of Canadian and out-of-state trash, and we must stop this tidal wave of imported garbage inundating our state. I want to send a clear message to our Canadian neighbors and fellow states: Macomb County is not a dumping ground for your trash."
The plan taken up by the House Great Lakes and Environment Committee today will curb the flood of Canadian and out-of-state trash into Michigan by increasing Michigan's lowest-in-the-region dumping charge from 21 cents per ton to $7.50, which will force exporters to take their waste elsewhere. Pennsylvania slashed its trash imports after raising its dumping charge in 2002. In 2001, Pennsylvania took in 12.6 million tons of imported trash; in 2005, that amount dropped to 9.6 million tons.
"Michigan has become a magnet for out-of-state trash for one reason: We're cheap," said State Representative Deb Kennedy (D-Brownstown), a sponsor of the plan. "Michigan is a natural wonder, not a dumping ground – and I intend to keep it that way. I'm appalled by the hundreds of Canadian trucks that rumble through Flat Rock and Huron Township every day and it has got to stop. By slamming the brakes on the flood of imported trash, we will send a clear message to the trash industry: Your free ride in Michigan is over."