The Report of Solid Waste Landfilled in Michigan for fiscal year (FY) 2009 was released today by the Department of Environmental Quality and shows that Michigan landfills disposed of 47,837,680 cubic yards of solid waste in FY 2009. 

Waste disposed of by Michigan residents and businesses decreased by 5,284,953 cubic yards, about 13 percent, to 34,751,326 cubic yards, and waste imported from other states and Canada also decreased this fiscal year by 4,119,906 cubic yards, approximately 24 percent, to 13,086,354 cubic yards.  Imported waste made up 27 percent of all waste disposed of in Michigan, down from 30 percent the prior year.

The largest source of waste imports into Michigan continues to be from Canada, equaling about 19 percent of all waste disposed of in Michigan landfills.  In FY 2009, 9,054,371 cubic yards were received from Canada, a decrease from FY 2008 of about 16 percent.

The DEQ report does not conclude the cause of the decreases.  However, they are likely due to a combination of factors including increased recycling rates, and the slow economy nationwide.

DEQ Interim Director Jim Sygo warned that the sharp decrease in solid waste disposal would impact the state's ability to ensure that it's waste stream was safe and protective of the environment.

"Michigan's solid waste program is funded from a 21-cents-per-ton fee on solid waste disposed in Michigan landfills," said Sygo.  "This continued decline in disposal means fewer resources available to our department, and has serious implications for Michigan's ability to continue the current level of permitting, inspections, and oversight of solid waste management in the state."

Michigan's 21-cents-per-ton fee is the lowest in the Great Lakes Region.

Based on the capacity used during FY 2009, the reduction of waste disposed, and additional permitted landfill capacity, it is estimated that Michigan landfills have approximately 25 years of remaining disposal capacity.

The data released today appears in the 14th annual report prepared by the DEQ.  Submittal of this information to the DEQ is required of all Michigan landfills.

The specific amounts of waste generated by the various jurisdictions are:

To receive a copy of the annual report, please contact the DEQ, Waste and Hazardous Materials Division, Storage Tank and Solid Waste Section, P.O. Box 30241, Lansing, Michigan 48909-7741, at 517-241-2924; or download the annual report from the DEQ Web site at http://www.michigan.gov/deq(Click on "Waste," then "Solid Waste," and under "Information," click on "Annual Reports of Solid Waste Landfilled in Michigan," and then click on the link for the fiscal year report desired).

Editor's note:  DEQ news releases are available on the department's Internet home page at www.michigan.gov/deq.

"Protecting Michigan's Environment, Ensuring Michigan's Future"