LANSING - State Rep. Gino H. Polidori (D-Dearborn) today said Toronto's renewal of its contract to send all 1-million-plus tons of its trash to Michigan shows that tough laws are the only way for the state to stem the tide of imported garbage.
"All Toronto cares about is dumping its garbage cheaply, and Michigan is the cheapest place in the neighborhood," Rep. Polidori said. "Michigan's citizens say again and again, 'We're tired of the trash.' We want less trash, but the problem is getting worse. We cannot count on Toronto and other cities outside Michigan to do the right thing. Michigan must act now."
The 44-member Toronto City Council voted Wednesday to renew its 3-year contract with Republic Services Inc., which is one of the largest waste companies in the United States. Toronto began sending all its trash to Carleton Farms in Sumpter Township in 2003.
The Detroit News reported in April that Toronto is spending $35.5 million for its waste hauling service. The News reported Toronto's manager of solid waste, Angelos Bacopoulos, as saying that Toronto's contract with Republic is among the cheapest in North America.
"Our bills will yank away the welcome mat for trash companies," Rep. Polidori said. "Republicans must end the stalling. Michigan wants action and our bills will deliver. But they're no good sitting in committee and gathering dust. I urge Republicans to give our bills a hearing."
The centerpiece of the House Democrats' anti-trash legislation is a higher dumping charge of $7.50 per ton, up from the current 21 cents a ton. The five-bill package is languishing in committee after Republicans refused to give the bills a hearing.
Rep. Polidori pointed out that Pennsylvania cut trash imports by 14 percent after it raised its dumping charge to $7.25 a ton.
To track Canadian and out-of-state trash, go to www.trash-o-meter.com.