By Staff
The solid waste report for 2007 in Michigan is out.
It is not the type of reading most people enjoy, but if ignored, our state could find itself as Canada's dumping ground.
According to the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), the amount of waste disposed in Michigan's landfills actually decreased more than 6 percent.
It is the amount of imported trash which makes some people rightfully upset.
Imported trash continues to account for 29 percent of the 58,204,510 cubic yards of solid waste, the total amount disposed of in Michigan landfills in the fiscal year 2007.
Amounts have decreased. The trash which our residents dumped has decreased, by 1,802,351 cubic yards, or 4 percent and that imported from Canada and other states decreased by 1,880,694 cubic yards, about 10 percent.
That's good news. Maybe people are more conscious of recycling and keeping items out of their trash cans. Hopefully the increased transportation and fuel costs are not sending trash to be buried in unauthorized places.
Still, Canada fills our landfills with 19 percent of all the trash, or 10,982,984 cubic yards.
The DEQ reports Ontario is committed to phasing out its exporting of "municipally-managed sold waste to Michigan."
Estimates are that Michigan landfills have only about 22 years left of space for disposal.
A Michigan Solid Waste Policy is in place to guide decision making and find more ways in which waste can be reduced.
Easy residential recycling programs are also needed throughout the state.
To find out future plans, the annual report is available at www.michigan.gov/deq by clicking on Waste, or by phone at (517) 241-2924.