Title
Resolution of Support for Governor Snyder’s Recycling Funding Initiative
Staff
Prepared by Stephen Colby Brown
Body
Whereas, Michigan’s solid waste tip fee is the lowest in the Midwest at 36¢ per ton. Neighboring states’ rates as follows,
Wisconsin $13.00 per ton
Pennsylvania $6.25 per ton
Ohio $4.75 per ton
Indiana $0.60 per ton
Average $5.30 per ton;
Whereas, Michigan’s extremely low solid waste tip fee makes Michigan a dumping ground for garbage from other states and from Canada. At present, 25.5% of trash buried in Michigan landfills is imported, meaning more money will come back to counties than will be paid out in tip fees;
Whereas, Governor Rick Snyder has proposed to increase Michigan’s solid waste tip fee from $ 0.36 per ton up to $4.44 per ton to provide $24 million a year for recycling and solid waste management programs including:
• Support to local entities to support the tripling Michigan’s recycling rate through development of:
o recycling infrastructure,
o markets for recyclable materials, and
o education to help residents use recycling systems effectively.
• Solid waste management planning;
Whereas, Based on current tonnages the increased fee will cost the City Solid Waste Fund a minimum of $225,000.00 per year, but will fund increased opportunities for residents and businesses to recycle more;
Whereas, Michigan’s recycling rate is one of the lowest in the nation at 15% and over $368 million of valuable, recyclable materials are buried in Michigan landfills each year;
Whereas, To derive the maximum economic benefit from the recycling of these materials, active development of more markets for recyclables in Michigan is needed;
Whereas, Funding from the proposed fee increase would help support continued growth of county, municipality, township, and regional recycling and composting programs; and
Whereas, The City of Ann Arbor could potentially receive grant or loan funding in the future for programs through the State for Michigan, which are anticipated to include facilitation of Solid Waste Management Plans and promotion of recycling in general;
RESOLVED, That the Environmental Commission requests the City Council of Ann Arbor formally support the Governor’s proposal to increase the state’s solid waste tip fee for the sole purpose of funding recycling and sustainable materials management planning; and
RESOLVED, That the City Council requests that the Mayor and City Administrator communicate this support to Ann Arbor’s Representatives in the State Legislature.