Michigan is a desirable location for garbage exports from around the world. But the dirty habit of making cash from other people's trash has left the state with little capacity in its landfills.
A report filed two weeks ago with the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, or DEQ, estimated Michigan landfills have 18 years of space remaining in them.
"It's certainly a concern for us," DEQ spokesman Bob McCann said. "Michigan landfills are being used by people from all over the country."
The largest contributor of imported trash in Michigan is Canada.
During the 2006 fiscal year, Canada dumped more than 12 million cubic yards of trash into Michigan landfills.
"The report shows that trash is coming from far and wide," McCann said. "People are going to have to make some decisions about this."
States as far as Florida are cashing in on Michigan's low dumping cost of 21 cents a ton.
Other states using Michigan's landfills include Rhode Island and New York. The state exporting the most trash into Michigan is Indiana with more than 2 million cubic yards.
Importation of trash in Michigan is an issue everyone should be concerned with, said Lauren Olson, a graduate student in community, agriculture, recreation and resource studies.
"Trash does not simply go away — it is mummified into the landscape," said Olson, who works for MSU's Skunkworks Lab for Environmental Decision Research. "We should all do our part in reducing our own personal trash output, through reduced consumption, reuse and recycling."
In August 2006, an agreement drafted by Michigan Sens. Debbie Stabenow and Carl Levin was created to help wean Canada off a dependence on Michigan landfills. The agreement calls for a total halt of imported Canadian trash by 2010.
Although the effects of the plan have not yet been seen, McCann said he has faith in the agreement.
"It is going to take some time for it to kick in," McCann said. "The agreement that they have made is a great step."
Other states with similar concerns have opted to choose a different route.
Wisconsin saw a 17 percent decrease in imported trash after raising its dumping cost by $3. Pennsylvania cut its imported trash by nearly 25 percent after raising its dumping cost to $7.25.
Political science junior Nick Sherrill said it is the responsibility of the legislators to make a change.
"It scares me a little bit," he said. "It would be good to look at other states (costs)."
McCann said the DEQ plans on suggesting legislation that would raise the cost of dumping in Michigan from 21 cents to $7.25 a ton.
"As far as legislation goes, you can look at what other states have done," McCann said. "It's up to the legislature."
