Less Canadian trash goes to Michigan

NEWS RELEASES

U.S. SENATOR DEBBIE STABENOW

U.S. SENATOR CARL LEVIN

************************* Stabenow: DEQ findings show continued decline in Canadian trash

WASHINGTON - In an annual report to the State Legislature, the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) today released a report documenting an additional 16 percent reduction (1,667,793 cubic yards) in total imports of Canadian waste being dumped in Michigan landfills. 

This reduction shows a continued decline in municipally-managed waste from Canada.

“I am pleased trash imports from Canada have gone down for the third year in a row, but we still have a long way to go,” said Stabenow (shown). “I will continue to assess these numbers and hold Ontario officials accountable to make sure they meet the terms of our agreement to stop all municipally-managed waste from Canada by the end of this year.”

Under the terms of a 2006 agreement between Senators Stabenow and Levin and Ontario officials, Ontario must completely stop all municipally-managed trash by the end of the 2010 calendar year. 

************************* Levin statement on Canadian trash report

WASHINGTON - Following the release of a Michigan Department of Environmental Quality report on Canadian trash shipments to Michigan, Senator Carl Levin, D-Mich., issued this statement:

“While there has been some reduction in the trash coming over our border, the Department of Environmental Quality’s data strongly indicate that these reductions are not as large as required by our agreement with the Ontario Ministry of the Environment.

In addition, I’m concerned that, according to the DEQ’s report, the reductions may have resulted from the recession, which would mean Canadian officials are not taking the actions they have promised. 

I also am concerned that the reductions do not appear to be at a pace that would allow Canada to fulfill its commitment to end all municipally managed trash shipments to Michigan by the end of this year.

I remain committed to stopping all Canadian trash coming into our state, and I will continue to consider all options to do so."

The Department of Environmental Quality’s report today shows a 16 percent reduction in Canadian municipal and commercial waste imports, including that managed by municipalities and that handled by private entities.

Canadian officials have committed to a phased reduction of municipally managed waste, concluding with an end to all shipments of municipally managed waste to Michigan by the end of this year.

While the DEQ’s data do not differentiate between municipally managed waste and municipal waste handled by private companies, it is highly unlikely, given the rate of decline for municipal waste overall, that Canada is meeting its commitment to reduce municipally managed waste.

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