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Waste Reduction

Waste Reduction

With some of the nation’s lowest landfill tipping fees, an abysmal state recycling rate and serious limitations to our once industry-leading bottle return system, Michigan has become a dumping ground that contributes to our rising carbon footprint. Our communities need a new approach to waste, one that holds producers accountable for what they produce and that puts options in front of Michiganders to contribute to a circular economy. 

A pink beer bottle is held up to the sky

Our vision for change

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.

Expand the accepted containers

in our bottle return program to include all beverage containers under one gallon, including water bottles.

Remove the ban

on local governments regulating or banning single-use plastic.

Adopt an extended producer responsibility program

that sets targets for packaging reduction and recycling rates for industry.

Significantly increase landfill tipping fees

to remediate toxic contamination sites and boost the state’s recycling rate.

Discover

Check out news, policy updates and impact stories focused on waste reduction.

Policy Update
Environmental groups: ‘Democrats cannot squander the moment’
Podcast Episode
We Can’t Be Lame Ducks
Policy Update
Legislation diverts environmental funds to corporate giveaways

Strategic Waste Reduction campaigns

Michigan’s Bottle Return Reform

We need to modernize Michigan’s 1976 10-cent deposit law to ramp up Michigan’s recycling rates and reduce pollution of our land and water.

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