Normally, solid waste goes to an authorized disposal area while yard waste goes to an authorized composting facility.

However, in emergencies there are provisions for the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) to approve requests for emergency solid waste disposal for communities recovering from a storm in an emergency situation.

The solid waste regulations allow EGLE to approve the emergency disposal of waste material:

• At a disposal area that is an authorized solid waste disposal area, but in a manner not specifically authorized under the county’s approved Solid Waste or Materials Management Plan.
• In a manner that is not in accordance with the solid waste regulations.

EGLE’s approval, if granted, must:

• Be oral or written, and, if oral, followed by written approval within 5 days.
• Be for 90 days or less.
• Clearly specify the type and quantity of material and the manner and location of its disposal.

Approvals are reviewed and approved on a case-by-case basis by EGLE’s Materials Management Division (MMD).

How to request an Emergency Solid Waste Disposal Authorization

To submit an official request seeking an emergency solid waste disposal authorization, complete the Storm Recovery Emergency Solid Waste Authorization Form.  It will automatically route to relevant EGLE staff.  It will also automatically route the information to the Michigan State Police (MSP), State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) if a state of emergency has been declared by the Governor.  Upon submitting the form, the contact(s) listed on the form will receive an e-mail from EGLE-Automated sharing the form details submitted.  

Complete a separate form for each site location needing emergency authorization. 

If a state of emergency is not declared, submit a copy of each site map for each form submitted to EGLE-MMD-SW@Michigan.gov for review.

If a state of emergency is declared, the Local Emergency Management Coordinator must submit a “Task Assignment” to the MSP, SEOC using the Michigan Critical Incident Management System (MI CIMS) to coordinate further support and be eligible for any Federal Emergency Management funding awarded to the State of Michigan for the event.  The Local Emergency Management Coordinator must attach each e-mail from EGLE-Automated and each site map submitted to EGLE to the “Task Assignment” submitted to the MSP, SEOC using Mi CIMS.