February 2, 2004

DEQ Releases 2003 Solid Waste Report Today the Department of Environmental Quality released the 2003 Report of Solid Waste Landfilled in Michigan. Data contained in that report shows that in 2003 solid waste imported into Michigan made up one-quarter of all waste disposed of in Michigan landfills. Michigan landfills accepted for disposal 62,615,429 cubic yards of solid waste last year, up from 57,540,922 cubic yards. Waste disposed of by Michigan residents increased by 2 percent, to 47,115,961 cubic yards, while solid waste imported from other states and Canada increased by 4,005,025 cubic yards, about 35 percent, to 15,499,468 cubic yards. The largest source of waste imports into Michigan continues to be from Canada, with total imports of 9,433,028 cubic yards, up 2,825,172 cubic yards, or about 43 percent, from 2002.

“The increase in the out-of-state solid waste disposed of in Michigan highlights the need for the Legislature to close the deal on solid waste legislation pending before them,” said DEQ Director Steven E. Chester. “We cannot continue to allow the importation of large quantities of solid waste into our state that may not meet Michigan’s high health and safety standards.”

Congress has been considering bills to authorize state regulation of solid waste importation for over ten years. The Michigan Legislature is considering a slate of bills that would, among other things, tighten prohibitions against disposal of certain items in Michigan landfills and ensure that waste disposed of in Michigan landfills meets those prohibitions no matter where the waste is generated. Other bills being considered by the Michigan Legislature would add a $3 per ton surcharge to waste disposed of in Michigan and devote the revenue to improving local recycling programs.

"In the wake of this report, it is now more imperative than ever that the Legislature deliver to my desk the package of bills to curb the flow of out-of-state and foreign trash in Michigan," Governor Granholm said. "I think we can all agree that Michigan's quality of life is eroded a little bit more with every truckload of trash that is brought in to our state. It is time for the Legislature to move on the trash legislation."

The data released today appears in the Report of Solid Waste Landfilled in Michigan for Fiscal Year 2003. Submittal of this information to the DEQ is required of all Michigan landfills pursuant to Part 115, Solid Waste Management, of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act, 1994 PA 451, as amended. This is the eighth annual report prepared by the DEQ. The specific amounts of waste generated by various jurisdictions are:

WASTE GENERATION ORIGIN      WASTE VOLUME (CUBIC YARDS)
                                                      FY 2002                    FY 2003

Canada                                         6,607,856                  9,433,028
Connecticut                                            720                     228,900
Illinois                                           1,697,441                   1,846,199
Indiana                                          1,701,290                   1,783,267
Iowa                                                          0                              50
Maine                                                        0                        88,618
Massachusetts                                           0                      134,726
Michigan                                      46,046,479                  47,115,961

Missouri                                                   60                                0

New Hampshire                                          0                        34,842

New Jersey                                             103                          1,581
New York                                             5,038                      150,235
Ohio                                              1,043,872                   1,246,453

Pennsylvania                                             82                               0
Wisconsin                                         437,981                     551,569

To receive a copy of the report, contact the DEQ, Waste and Hazardous Materials Division, Storage Tank and Solid Waste Section, P.O. Box 30241, Lansing Michigan 48909 7741, at 517 335 4035; or download the report from the DEQ Web site at: http://www.michigan.gov/deq and under “Announcements” click on “Report of Solid Waste Landfilled in Michigan for FY 2003.”Editor’s note: DEQ news releases are available on the department’s Internet home page at www.michigan.gov/deq.

Revised February 2, 2004 by Pat Watson