Governor Rick Snyder wants to hike solid waste dumping fees to help pay for environmental cleanup. Michigan Public Radio’s Cheyna Roth reports.
Governor Rick Snyder wants to increase the cost of dumping waste in the state’s landfills. This is part of the governor’s proposal to improve Michigan’s environment.
Snyder wants to hike the current landfill dumping fee from 36 cents per ton to $4.75 per ton.
“One of the things that Michigan is a great value at, that we’re one of the most attractive places in the world, is to dump your trash,” Snyder said during a speech announcing the plan. “That’s not a contest I’m aspiring to win.”
In a statement, Snyder broke down how the revenue would be used like this:
· Remediate and Redevelop Existing and Future Contaminated Sites ($45 million)
o Clean up 300 sites annually, across all 83 counties
o Address emerging contaminants (PFAS, vapor intrusion)
· Solid Waste Management ($9 million)
o Enhance solid waste planning for local governments.
· Recycling Grants to triple Michigan’s Recycling Rate ($15 million)
o Provide recycling grants to local entities for recycling infrastructure, market development and education
· Water Quality Monitoring Grants ($5 million)
o Monitor beaches to keep them clean.
o Reduce phosphorus in Lake Erie.
o Remove contamination in rivers, lakes and streams.
· State Park Infrastructure ($5 million)
o Address critical infrastructure needs to serve the parks system’s 27 million visitors annually.
