Michigan Adopts Landfill Legislation

Wendy Angel

Sumpter Township, Mich. – Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm signed into law on Friday an 11-bill package that is intended to reduce the amount of out-of-state trash the state accepts. The legislation creates a two-year moratorium on new landfills, prohibits landfills from accepting out-of-state waste that does not follow standards for Michigan’s own trash, increases landfill inspections and emphasizes enforcement of solid waste laws. This comes amid a feud with Toronto city officials over the amount of trash the city sends to Michigan landfills. Currently, trash from other states and Canada accounts for about one-fourth of waste dumped in Michigan landfills each year.

The new legislation is expected to be subject to legal challenges from the solid waste industry on the grounds that the new bills violate international and national commerce protection laws.