We are taking a break from the more fascinating news of emerging environmental contaminants, environmental enforcement, vapor intrusion, and environmental forensics to look at … garbage.
And when it comes to disposal of garbage, compared to neighboring states and Ontario, Michigan is a relative bargain. The State of Michigan currently charges a meager $0.36 per ton of solid-waste tipping fee to “dump” at a landfill in Michigan. In the surrounding states, the price range for disposal is between $0.60 and $13.00 per ton; the average is $5.30 per ton. It is no wonder that businesses from surrounding states and Canada truck their trash here. Not that this is necessarily a bad thing for business.
Landfill Tipping Fee in Michigan May Increase
Governor Snyder is proposing to increase the tipping fee to $4.75 per ton under his “Renew Michigan’s Environment” program (as opposed to another Bond). While a 1,200% increase is steep, it puts Michigan more in line with the local “market.” The State estimates that this will bring $79 million per year to Michigan’s budget. Under the Renew Michigan program, the Governor wants to use this financial influx to fund five key environmental initiatives. These include:
- Remediate and redevelop existing and future contaminated sites ($45 million). This would include addressing 300 sites annually and addressing sites where emerging contaminants are a concern (i.e., PFAS and VI)
- Water-Quality Monitoring ($5 million)
- State Park Infrastructure ($5 million)
- Solid-Waste Management ($9 million)
- Recycling Programs to double Michigan’s recycling rate ($15 million)
While the Renew Michigan program provides funding for several environmental initiatives in the State, there are questions and concerns that industry groups have expressed.
Concerns About Proposed Increase
Some of the concerns that I have heard in the various industry groups in which I am involved include the following:
- Many companies have significant recycling programs and, thus, generate minimal waste. Accordingly, the increase in cost will not be significant. However, there are others that feel they will be significantly impacted.
- Concerns have been voiced as to whether the $79 million estimate is accurate. One basis for the concern is whether the surcharge increase will cause the current influx of trash to wane more than is estimated. Additionally, if the surcharge pushes more people to recycling (not a bad thing), it will decrease the tonnage being disposed and, thus, decrease the fees collected.
- Many comments have been made that the proposed initiatives of the $79 million are not necessarily “linked” with the solid-waste activity generating the money. For example, why should my solid-waste fees be used for State Park Infrastructure?
- Additionally, concerns have been raised regarding the need for assurances that whatever initiatives are ultimately identified, they are the only places where the monies can go. That is, money cannot be siphoned off to the general fund or some other “new” need that the State identifies as a priority.
- Another expressed concern is, with the hazardous-waste program in need of funding, why not direct some of the monies for this program? After all, the hazardous waste program is relatively aligned with the solid-waste program.
It is yet to be seen whether the proposed increased tipping fee will happen, will be at the proposed amount, and will fund the initiatives identified. Like so many other environmental issues, we’ll have to wait and see. Note: on March 6, 2018, the Michigan House Appropriations Subcommittee on Environmental Quality held a hearing; see the recorded session here.
If you have questions about emerging contaminants, environmental enforcement, vapor intrusion, or environmental forensics, feel free to contact me by email or by phone at 248-932-0228, ext 125.