A complete list of all programs within the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE)
Community involvement and public participation are an essential part of EGLE’s mission, vision, and values.
Resources and information on utilizing RRD's data exchange and the Inventory of Facilities.
An interactive map displaying contaminated sites throughout Michigan regulated under Parts 213, 201, and 211.
EGLE's interactive calendar is designed to provide timely information on decisions before the Director, proposed settlements of contested cases, administrative rules promulgation, public hearings, meetings and comment deadlines, and environmental conferences, workshops and training programs.
The Michigan Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) provides all persons (except persons incarcerated in correctional facilities) with access to public records of public bodies. Requests to inspect or receive public records from EGLE must be in writing and describe the requested records with enough detail to enable the department to identify and locate the requested records. Some records are exempt from disclosure under the FOIA or another statute and thus will not be provided. A fee may be charged to process your request. Please note that many records are available that do not require a formal FOIA request.
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May 10, 2024
As part of Compost Awareness Week, MI Environment is highlighting a common question: Why is composting food scraps and yard waste better than sending them to a landfill? Isn’t the decomposition the same?
Compost bin with food waste.
As gardening season approaches, the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) encourages Michiganders to start composting, to recycle food scraps and yard waste instead of throwing them in the trash. Composting not only helps fight climate change but it also produces a product, a rich soil supplement that is known as “black gold” to gardeners.
Composting breaks down organic matter without creating and releasing significant amounts of methane. To break down efficiently, the organic materials need oxygen from the air to decompose without producing methane. That is why compost piles need to be “turned” or mixed periodically. Landfills are an ‘oxygen poor’ environment, leading decomposing organics to create larger amounts of methane.
“Composting is an important part of Michigan's strategy to fight climate change,” notes Aaron Hiday, EGLE compost program coordinator. “When you throw your food scraps in the trash, they get taken to a landfill. And when that decomposes, it can generate a lot of methane, a greenhouse gas.”
Methane is 25 times more potent than carbon dioxide at trapping heat in the atmosphere, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
“Composting is one tool for sustainable organics waste management.,” added Hiday. He provided this guidance: “When it comes to food, eat it -- don't throw it in the trash. When we do generate organics waste, compost it. It's one of the best things you can do for our environment.”
Composting resources
EGLE’s at-home composting guide.
Learn more about composting and help teach others about composting by watching and sharing EGLE’s videos:
EGLE’s Sustainable Food Management Hierarchy, highlight options for managing food waste and the importance of keeping food and yard waste out of landfills.
Don’t have time to compost at home but want to help fight climate change by sending compostables to a commercial composter? Check out our map of commercial composters, call your local municipality, or recycling vendor to see if they offer compost pick-up services.
For more information, visit ELGE’s Compost webpage.
The “Transforming EGLE’s Contaminated Site Program” video highlights how the department has significantly increased the number of contaminated sites addressed.
EGLE is hitting the road to participate in many career fairs at Michigan colleges, universities, and conferences.
EGLE has developed a cybersecurity preparedness strategy for drinking water and wastewater treatment plant operators in Michigan.
Mark your calendars for upcoming events and deadlines for the Michigan Green Schools 2024-2025 program.
An agreement has been reached in a civil rights complaint filed by community members and environmental justice advocates against the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) regarding the January 2020 renewal of a U.S. Ecology North hazardous waste facility license.
This webinar series explores how agencies, universities, and locally led organizations are working together to protect Michigan’s natural resources through the Michigan Invasive Species Program.
EGLE supplied a $10,000 grant to support exploration of the potential partnership between Goodwill Industries of West Michigan and Daika through the NextCycle Michigan program.
Companies like UP Paper in Manistique support Michigan’s economy by providing crucial manufacturing jobs.
Consider spending some time outdoors this month to look for a real destructive pest – the invasive Asian longhorned beetle.
Communities, agencies, universities, and nonprofits throughout the state will soon welcome reinforcements from the MI Healthy Climate Corps (MHC Corps) in the fight against climate change.
