LANSING - Citing a state Department of Environmental Quality report on trash, State Rep. Gino Polidori (D-Dearborn) today renewed his call to toughen Michigan's laws against the growing surge of out-of-state and Canadian garbage.
Michigan took in more trash from Canada and other states in 2004, continuing a trend of increased garbage imports, DEQ Director Steve Chester told the Michigan Senate Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs Committee Tuesday. Michigan took in 6 million tons of trash from other states and Canada in 2004, an increase of more than 870,000 tons from 2003 to 2004, the DEQ report said. In 2004, imported trash increased 17 percent and made up 28 percent of all waste entering Michigan landfills.
"Every year, Michigan keeps taking in more trash from other states and from Canada and we have to stop it before it ruins our quality of life," Polidori said. "We must act now or our future will be mountains of trash. We must stop these waste companies from trashing our beautiful state."
Polidori praised the House Democrats' latest anti-trash campaign, unveiled Monday. It is anchored by a $7.50-per-ton dumping charge and tougher enforcement policies. Polidori said it was time the trash companies pay after essentially getting a free ride for two decades in Michigan, when they paid 21 cents per ton.
"It's outrageous that Michigan households play by the rules, while Canadian and out-of-state trash trucks have been caught with dangerous items in garbage," Polidori said. Police and the Detroit News say radioactive medical waste, blood and even a ton of marijuana were found in several Canadian trash trucks in 2002 and 2003.
More than 400 trash trucks enter Michigan from Canada daily.