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Our mission

We champion lasting protections for Michigan's air, our water, and the places we love.

About us
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Join the movement for a Better Bottle Bill

The future of bottle returns in Michigan is about making recycling as simple and effective as possible. Imagine being able to return any beverage container—whether it’s water, juice, or sports drinks—at any store that sells beverages. No more confusion about what’s returnable or where to take it. A new system would streamline returns with universal access, ensuring that all containers are covered and making it easier for everyone to participate.

Learn more

Dive into our top issues via our podcast, Common Groundwater, and our editorials

Our priorities

We believe in a big future for our state. One with clean air and water; homes and neighborhoods that work in concert with the environment to meet our needs and give us comfort; and nature at our doorsteps, whether we’re on the shores of a Great Lake or in a bustling city downtown.

Our policy priorities focus our work in seven critical areas of impact to ensure we are doing the most we can to protect the air we breathe, our water, and the places we love.

Climate & Energy

To work towards decarbonizing the economy and addressing the existential threat of climate change, we need bold legislative action that catalyzes movement towards a 100% emissions-free power sector.

Democracy & Good Governance

As we fight for lasting change, we must cut red tape, restore transparency, streamline accountability and incorporate communities suffering from environmental injustice into decision making.

Health & Justice

To address historic injustices, we must enact policies that hold industry accountable for pollution; protect children from lead exposure; and keep toxins out of food, water, homes and communities.

Land & Wildlife

To ensure our state's beautiful land and wildlife are preserved, we must enact critical policies that restore protections for Michigan's natural spaces, safeguard our state’s ecological systems and biodiversity, combat invasive species, and conserve lands for future generations.

Transportation

In order to enhance mobility for all Michiganders and save taxpayer money, we must rightsize our road system; increase funding for commuter rail, bike lanes, pedestrian spaces and bus transit; and help local governments create thriving, walkable communities.

Waste Reduction

To reduce the impact of waste on our communities and landscape, we must expand our local recycling systems, grow our circular economy and prevent waste in order to properly protect our land and water and to create jobs across the state.

Water

To protect our globally rare water resources, we must pass legislation to prevent dangerous pollution from entering waterways, improve stormwater infrastructure and make drinking water more accessible and affordable for all Michiganders.

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Power environmental change today.

Your gift to the Michigan Environmental Council is a powerful investment in the air we breathe, our water and the places we love.

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Double your donation's impact in 2024

Thanks to the generosity of the Dorsey Family Fund, your donation will double in value through the end of 2024.