From the Bottle Bill to the Solid Waste Management (Part 115) Amendments, Michigan continues to work toward increasing the recycling rate, decreasing reliance on landfills, and building an economy that puts unwanted materials to a new use.
Bottle Bill
Michigan's Bottle Deposit Law, or Bottle Bill, requires a deposit of 10 cents to be paid with the purchase of any returnable beverage container in Michigan. This includes soft drinks, soda water, carbonated natural or mineral water, or other non-alcoholic carbonated drink, as well as beer, ale, or other malt drink of whatever alcoholic content.
For more information, check out Frequently Asked Questions: Michigan's Bottle Deposit Law.
Solid Waste Management Law (Part 115)
Michigan’s Solid Waste Management Law, Part 115, was amended in December 2022. The amended law requires all 83 Michigan counties to replace their old Solid Waste Management Plans with new Materials Management Plans that prioritize recycling, composting, and waste reduction over landfilling.
This amendment was based, in part, on the recommendations of the The Solid Waste and Sustainability Advisory Panel (SWSAP) and the Governor's Recycling Council (GRC) -- two separate stakeholder advisory groups that were appointed beginning in 2014 and together made up the Solid Waste and Recycling Advisors. Their collective charge was to advise how to further the state's solid waste, sustainability, and recycling goals. Their recommendations were compiled in two complementary reports.
Waste Minimization Law (Part 143)
Michigan's Waste Minimization Law, Part 143, outlines the state's policies, goals, and institutional setups regarding pollution prevention and the minimization of hazardous and environmental waste. It also requires that EGLE create an annual Waste Minimization and Waste Reduction Assistance Report to track progress and recommend policy shifts.
Electronics Recycling Law (Part 173)
Michigan's Electronics Recycling Law, Part 173, establishes the state's Electronic Waste Take Back Program and aims to protect human health and natural resources across the state through sustainable materials management practices. The electronic recycling law is an extended producer responsibility style law, which means it places responsibility on the manufacturers of electronic devices to support proper management of these materials.
Recycling Reporting Law (Part 175)
Michigan's Recycling Reporting Law, Part 175, requires a recycling establishment to register annually, and report the amount of each category of reportable recyclable material received by and the amount shipped from the recycling establishment.
For more information, check out Michigan Recycling Reporting.