The web Browser you are currently using is unsupported, and some features of this site may not work as intended. Please update to a modern browser such as Chrome, Firefox or Edge to experience all features Michigan.gov has to offer.
Materials Management Facilities
Michigan’s NEW solid waste statute was signed into law December 2022 and became effective as of March 29th, 2023. Substantial changes were made in the statute including the addition of new facility authorization types and requirements.
Sustainable Materials Management Hierarchy
The EGLE Sustainable Materials Management hierarchy prioritizes actions we can all take to prevent and divert unwanted materials from being landfilled. Each level in the hierarchy focuses on different management strategies for recovering value from unwanted materials. The top levels share the best ways to prevent and divert materials from being landfilled. They provide the most benefits for the environment, society, and the economy, while the bottom levels represent the worst options.
Preventing waste is the simplest action each of us can do to preserve natural resources, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and curb climate change.
General Information
- Amended Part 115 Overview and New Facility/Authorization Types (recording)
- Authorization Level Summary (recording)
- Solid Waste Disposal Areas and Materials Management Facilities Financial Assurance Requirements (recording)
- Materials Utilization Facility Operation Plan Template
- Processing and Transfer Facility Operation Plan Template
Payment Information
Fees are based on authorization level. Fee amounts can be determined through completion of an authorization application through Re-TRAC.
Fees can be paid online, links are provided in Re-TRAC, or by mail in check.
For all mail in REGISTRATION payments, please use the following forms:
Anaerobic Digester Fee Form
Composting Facility Fee Form
Materials Recovery Facility Fee Form
Processing and Transfer Facility Fee Form
All payments should be mailed ,with the corresponding fee form, to :
Standard US Postal Service Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy Cashiers Office P.O. Box 30657 Lansing, Michigan 48909-8157 |
Overnight Delivery Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy Accounting Service Center 425 West Ottawa Street Lansing, Michigan 48933 |
NEW Materials Management Facility Authorization Types and Requirements
-
Anaerobic Digester
- An Anaerobic Digester (AD) is a facility that uses microorganisms to break down biodegradable material in the absence of oxygen, producing methane and an organic product.
- Anaerobic Digesters have 3 authorization levels:
- Manages organic material generated on-site for energy production and takes 20% or less of material generated off-site.
- Notify EGLE annually.
- Must report upon initial operation AND report annually 45 days after the end of the state fiscal year (by November 14th).
- Required to be consistent with county plans.
- 1-year to comply with notification requirements (by March 2024).
- Manages organic material generated on-site for energy production and takes more than 20% of off-site generated material.
- Register every 5 years with submittal of an operations plan and site map.
- $750 registration fee.
- Must report upon initial operation AND report annually 45 days after the end of the state fiscal year (by November 14th).
- Required to be consistent with county plans.
- 1-year to comply with registration requirements (by March 2024).
- Manages only off-site generated source separated material, manures, bedding, and/or crop residuals.
- Obtain a general permit every 5 years with the department with submittal of an operations plan and site map.
- $1,000 general permit fee.
- Must report upon initial operation AND report annually 45 days after the end of the state fiscal year (by November 14th).
- Required to be consistent with county plans.
- Required to have $20,000 of financial assurance.
- 2-years to comply with general permitting requirements (March 2025).
- Manages organic material generated on-site for energy production and takes 20% or less of material generated off-site.
For more information, please contact EGLE's Organics Coordinator.
-
Composting Facilities
- A Composting facility is a facility where composting occurs. Composting is the process of biological decomposition of class 1 compostable material or class 2 compostable material.
- This facility type has 4 authorization levels based on size and materials composted:
- Exempt Facilities
- Less than 500 cubic yards of Class 1 compostable materials on site at any time.
- Composted on the site where materials are generated.
- Composted and used on a farm.
- Composted at a licensed landfill provided ALL the finished material is used at the landfill.
- These facilities are still encouraged to report as an exempt composting facility. If your county and/or region plans to use your facility to meet capacity needs for the planning area the facility must report annually.
- Small Composting Facilities – 500 cubic yards to 1000 cubic yards on site at any time.
- Must notify EGLE annually.
- Cannot contain more than 5% of class 1 compostable materials other than yard waste.
- Must report upon initial operation AND report annually 45 days after the end of the state fiscal year (by November 14th).
- Required to be consistent with county plans.
- 1-year to comply with notification requirements (by March 2024).
- Medium Composting Facility – 1,000 cubic yards to 10,000 cubic yards of Class 1 compostable materials on site at any time.
- Register every 5 years with the submittal of an operations plan and site map.
- $750 registration fee.
- No more than 5,000 cubic yards per any acre of the site.
- Cannot contain more than 10% of class 1 compostable materials other than yard waste.
- Must report upon initial operation AND report annually 45 days after the end of the state fiscal year (by November 14th).
- Annual facility inspections.
- Required to be consistent with county plans.
- 1-year to comply with registration requirements (by March 2024).
- Large Composting Facility – over 10,000 cubic yards on site at any time OR doesn't meet the requirements for a small/medium facility, or any size Class 2 composting facility.
- Obtain a general permit every 5 years with the submittal of an operations plan and site map.
- $1,000 general permit fee.
- Must report upon initial operation AND report annually 45 days after the end of the state fiscal year (by November 14th).
- Annual facility inspections.
- Each site is required to have $20,000 of financial assurance.
- Required to be consistent with county plans.
- 2-year to comply with permit requirements (by March 2025).
For more information on commercial composting requirements, please visit EGLE's Commercial Composting Page.
-
Materials Recovery Facility
- A Materials recovery facility is a facility that meets both of the following requirements: (a) Receives primarily source separated material and sorts, bales, or processes the source separated material for reuse, recycling, or utilization as a raw material or new product. (b) On an annual basis, does not receive an amount of solid waste equal to or more than 15% of the total weight of material received by the facility unless the materials recovery facility is making a reasonable effort and has an education program to reduce the amount of solid waste. Material disposed of as a result of recycling market fluctuations is not included in the 15% calculation.
- This facility type has 3 authorization levels based on size:
- Processes less than 100 tons of materials per year and has less than 100 tons on-site at any time.
- Exempt facility.
- These facilities are still encouraged to report as an exempt materials recovery facility. If your county and/or region plans to use your facility to meet capacity needs for the planning area, the facility must report annually.
- Processes less than 100 tons of materials per year and has less than 100 tons on-site at any time.
- Processes more than 100 tons of material per year and has less than 100 tons on-site at any time.
- Registration required every 5 years with the submittal of an operations plan and site map.
- $750 registration fee.
- Must annually report 45 days after the end of the state fiscal year (by November 14th).
- Required to be consistent with county plans.
- 1-year to comply with registration requirements (by March 2024).
- Has more than 100 tons on-site at any time.
- Obtain a general permit every 5 years with the submittal of an operations plan and site map.
- $1,000 general permit fee.
- Must annually report 45 days after the end of the state fiscal year (by November 14th).
- Required to be consistent with county plans.
- Facility required to obtain $20,000 in financial assurance.
- 2-years to comply with general permit requirements (by March 2025).
For more information, please review the Waste Diversion Center presentation or contact EGLE's Solid Waste Section.
-
New and Innovative Technologies for Waste Diversion
- An Innovative Technology Facility means a materials management facility that converts solid waste into energy or a usable product and that is not a materials recovery facility, a composting facility, or an anaerobic digester.
- This facility type has 1 authorization level:
- Must obtain a general permit every 2 years with the submittal of an operations plan and site map.
- $1,000 general permit fee.
- Financial assurance required that is based on third party closure costs.
- Must annually report upon initial operation AND 45 days after the end of the state fiscal year (by November 14th).
- 2-year to comply with registration requirements (by March 2025).
For more information, please contact the Solid Waste Section.
-
Solid Waste Processing and Transfer Facility
- A Solid Waste Processing and Transfer Facility is a tract of land, a building or unit and any appurtenances of a building or unit, a container, or any combination of these that is used or intended for use in the handling, storage, transfer, or processing of solid waste, and is NOT located at the site of generation or the site of disposal of solid waste.
- This facility type has 3 authorization levels based on size:
- Less than 50 cubic yards of solid waste on-site at any time.
- Required to notify and report annually (by November 14th).
- 1-year to comply with notification requirements (by March 2024).
- Greater than 50 cubic yards but less than 200 cubic yards of solid waste on-site at any time.
- 5-year registration with submittal of an operations plan and site map.
- Fee of $750 at time of registration or renewal.
- Annual reporting (by November 14th).
- Required to be consistent with County Materials Management Plans.
- 1-year to comply with registration requirements (by March 2024).
- More than 200 cubic yards on-site at any time.
- Operating license and Construction Permit required with the submittal of an operations plan and site map.
- $1,000 fee for Operating License and $500 - $2,000 fee for Construction Permit License.
- Financial Assurance of $20,000 required.
- Annual reporting (by November 14th).
- 2-year post closure period.
- Required to be consistent with county plans.
- Less than 50 cubic yards of solid waste on-site at any time.
Facilities in operation before the amendments must comply with their existing licensing renewal schedule.
For more information, please visit EGLE's Solid Waste Disposal Area Page.
-
Waste Diversion Center
- Waste Diversion Center (WDC) means property or a building, or a portion of property or a building, designated for the purpose of receiving or collecting diverted wastes and not used for residential purposes.
- Diverted waste is material that:
- Is generated by households, businesses or governmental entities.
- Can lawfully be disposed of at a licensed landfill or a municipal solid waste incinerator.
- Is separated from other waste.
- Includes material such as:
- Hazardous waste.
- Liquid waste.
- Pharmaceuticals.
- Electronics.
- Batteries.
- Light bulbs.
- Pesticides.
- Thermostats, switches, thermometers, and other devices that contain elemental mercury.
- Sharps.
- Other waste approved by the department that can be readily separated from solid waste for diversion to preferred methods of management and disposal.
- WDC have 1 authorization level:
- Required to notify and report annually (by November 14th).
- Required to be consistent with County Materials Management Plans.
- No fee associated with this type of facility authorization.
For more information, please contact EGLE Waste Diversion Program Coordinator.
Online Reporting
New Facilities will be required to report online using an online reporting platform: Re-TRAC Connect.
Additional Information
Michigan Authorization Program: Organics
- Compost facilities are required to register and report under Part 115.
- Facilities will report through Re-TRAC Connect for their registrations, general permits, and annual reports.
Michigan Authorization Program: Diverted Materials
- Waste Diversions Centers are required to notify and report annually under Part 115.
- Waste Diversion Centers are required to be consistent with applicable county plans.
Michigan Authorization Program: Electronic Waste
- Electronic Recyclers and Manufacturers are required to register and report under Part 173.
- Electronic Recyclers and Manufacturers will report annually through this program.
Michigan Authorization Program: Scrap Tire
- Scrap Tire Collection Sites, Haulers, and End Users are required to register and report under Part 169.
- Facilities and Haulers will report through Re-TRAC Connect annually.
Michigan Authorization Program: Solid Waste
- Landfills and Processing and Transfer Facilities are required to register and report under Part 115.
- Landfills are required to report quarterly and/or annually.
- Surcharge reports will be completed through this program.
- Processing and Transfer Facilities are required to report annually.
Michigan Authorization Program: Source Separated and Recyclable Materials
- Materials Recovery Facilities are required to report annually.
- Facilities that process more than 100 tons of material per year but less than 100 tons on-site at any time are required to register every 5 years.
- Facilities that have more than 100 tons on-site at any time are required to obtain a general permit every 5 years.
Benefits of Voluntarily Reporting Materials Management Activities
Any organization managing materials can benefit from reporting using Re-TRAC. Reporting in Re-TRAC provides valuable material management planning information, analytical reports to track materials management progress, and allows Michigan to track its progress towards meetings its recycling, diversion, and carbon neutrality goals.
Organizations can join an Authorizations Program in Re-TRAC.