Top Ten Reasons Why Yard Waste Doesn’t Belong in Landfills

 

10) More energy will likely be saved by composting and source reduction than would be generated by landfilling.

  9) Increasing organic material in landfills will increase greenhouse gas production.

  8) Landfills are an inefficient technology for energy production.

  7) Organics make up a significant portion of the waste stream and have the potential to increase waste diversion dramatically.

  6) Compost is valued for its nutrient content, is used as a soil amendment and for erosion control and stormwater management.

  5) Michigan has a well-developed infrastructure for composting yard clippings.

  4) Cost to municipalities and residents to dispose of yard clippings is likely to be more than composting yard clippings.

 3) Composting yard clippings creates more jobs than landfilling.

  2) Michigan has a very low recycling rate.  Landfilling yard clippings will lower our ranking further.

  1) The yard clippings disposal ban is one of the few tools Michigan has to limit solid waste importation.

 

The Michigan House Committee on Energy and technology is taking up two bills tomorrow, HB 4265 and HB 4266, that seek to put yard clippings back in landfills.  The MRC opposes these bills and urges you to take action.  Call your representive.

 

 

Kerrin O'Brien

Executive Director

 

 

Michigan Recycling Coalition

www.michiganrecycles.org 

517.974.3672