State Rep. Jack O’Malley this week testified before the House Natural Resources and Outdoor Recreation Committee in support of his plan to create more recycling and composting opportunities in Michigan.

O’Malley, of Lake Ann, said his measure is part of a statewide, bipartisan initiative aimed at tripling Michigan’s recycling rate – which currently lags far behind other states in the Midwest.

“Recycling has several economic advantages, and obviously many environmental rewards as well,” O’Malley said. “This plan will divert waste from our landfills and create new jobs.”

House Bills 5812-17 would update state law to help ensure Michigan residents have convenient access to recycling and composting services at home, work, and throughout their communities.

“Michigan residents and businesses recycle around 15 percent of their total waste. That’s less than half the national average,” O’Malley said. “We also happen to have so much landfill capacity that landfill disposal costs are the lowest in the region, which results in over 25 percent of trash coming from other states and Canada. Something needs to change, and that’s exactly why we must improve our recycling rate and develop a better plan for managed materials.”

“The solid waste law is the foundation for the planning, development, and oversight of how materials are managed in Michigan, and the current emphasis is on the disposal of materials, rather than the renewability of them,” O’Malley said.

If this plan is enacted, the new focus will be on improving access to recycling services; planning for local facilities focused on recovering waste materials, composting and processing recycled materials; improving requirements for landfills; and better Department of Environment, Great Lakes & Energy (DEGLE) oversight of all materials management facilities to minimize risks to people and the environment.

“I look forward to this long, overdue bipartisan package moving forward,” O’Malley said. “This is going to be a game-changer for all of the people in the Fighting 101 and throughout Michigan.”

HBs 5812-5817 remain in committee for further review.

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