LANSING - State Rep. Gino H. Polidori (D-Dearborn) today called on the Michigan Legislature to support tough anti-trash bills introduced in the House, saying the legislation will stop the growing surge of imported garbage.
"Michigan has become a trash magnet because our state is the cheapest place to dump, but the Democratic legislation sends a message to waste companies that the days of cheap dumping are over," Rep. Polidori said. "Our bills will end the free ride for trash companies and make them pay. Our bills will also help our local communities and boost our recycling efforts."
He hailed the centerpiece of the legislation - a $7.50-per-ton dumping charge - as a key weapon in stopping trash imports, which surpassed 6 million tons in 2004, a record amount.
"Michigan's 21-cent-per-ton dumping charge was a lure to the trash industry to send garbage from Canada and other states into our backyards," Rep. Polidori said. "No more. The dumping charge will stop the trash trucks at our borders."
The five-bill package also includes one that returns money to local communities and encourages recycling programs. The dumping charge is estimated to raise $170 million in its first year of implementation.
Rep. Polidori pointed out estimates that showed Dearborn would get back more than $1.7 million, after spending an estimated $360,000 on the dumping charge.
"The fund is a way to help local communities with their needs, and also to further improve recycling programs across Michigan," he said. "In the end, stopping trash is our goal."
The remaining three bills would ban landfill expansion until 2010, strengthen enforcement of current trash regulations and allow for tougher penalties.