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First Big Step for
Out-of-State Trash Reform

Package of Laws Advance
Don't Trash Michigan Campaign

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, March 3, 2004

LANSING, MI — The movement to curb the ever-growing mountains of trash being trucked into the state got a tremendous boost yesterday. Michigan lawmakers passed a large package of bills designed to stem the flow of out-of-state waste. The laws contains a ban on beverage containers that strips away the distinction between in-state and out-of-state waste and gives the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) the power to stop waste that threatens public health. 

While all of these measures are welcome, everyone acknowledges the laws are first steps. Now Michigan has to defend itself in the courtroom against trash hauling corporations and work to reduce waste overall.

"This legislation is welcome and long overdue. While it is a step in the right direction, there remains much more work to be done. We will continue to press for additional solutions to Michigan's waste import problems and for better and enhanced recycling options for Michigan citizens," said Jeff Surfus of Network of Waste Activists Stopping Trash Exports (NO WASTE), a veteran of the Don't Trash Michigan campaign.

Brad van Guilder of the Ecology Center agrees. "We need to protect Michigan's taxpayers from having to pay for clean-up when there is a failure at one of these landfills," said van Guilder. "We need to remove the cap on the perpetual care trust fund so that landfills set aside enough money to clean-up any problems. The landfill owners are making huge profits. Michigan taxpayers should not have to pay for problems later."

These laws are a crucial step toward reform of how Michigan handles waste. It is the result in large part of a two-year battle waged by many, including NO WASTE of Michigan, Ecology Center, Sierra Club, Michigan Environmental Council, Clean Water Action, and two dozen other organizations that started the Don't Trash Michigan campaign.

For More Information Contact:

Jeff Surfus, NO WASTE
(734) 426-1984

Brad van Guilder, Ecology Center
(734) 663-2400 ext 114

James Clift, Michigan Environmental Council
(517) 487-3606 ext 17

Also see the Don't Trash Michigan web site and
the Ecology Center's Zero Waste page.

 

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