Executive Summary
The Arbor Hills Landfill is nearing the end of its life. Arbor Hills is expected to reach its permitted capacity in approximately 6 years. The landfill is actually filling at a faster rate than necessary since Green for Life (GFL) became the landfill owner because a significant amount of Canadian trash is being accepted. The Conservancy Initiative expects GFL to request a permit to expand the landfill, using the property they own North of Six Mile Road very soon.
Help from the public as well as our elected officials will be needed to prevent a landfill expansion. Vocal public opposition stopped an attempt at a permit expansion in 2016; a similar effort may be required again. We will publish more ideas for public involvement once the permitting process has begun, but it is not too early to let all our community leaders, especially elected officials, know that an expansion of Arbor Hills is NOT ACCEPTABLE.
Details
State regulations require every Michigan landfill to submit reports to the EGLE with the quantity and origin of the waste accepted during the fiscal year as well as the remaining permitted landfill capacity. EGLE uses this data to prepare a “Report of Solid Waste Landfilled” in Michigan, aggregating the data from all landfills to assess the available capacity statewide. EGLE normally publishes this report in March but The Conservancy Initiative has obtained the records submitted to EGLE by the Arbor Hills Landfill. Here are just a few of the highlights we found:
Green for Life is reporting the Arbor Hills Landfill will reach capacity in approximately 6 years from September 30, 2022. This is a significant change from the report submitted last year when the landfill life was estimated to be 12 years. We cannot explain this large change in the estimated landfill’s life but we believe it to be accurate. At a recent Salem Township Board of Trustee Meeting, the landfill’s General Manager also reported the landfill’s life to be approximately 6 years to the Trustees.
Landfill LIfe
Arbor Hills reported the expected landfill life is now 6 years. This graph shows the landfill capacity at the end of each fiscal year. Extrapolating this data also shows a landfill life of 6 years.
A significant portion of the trash accepted at Arbor Hills is coming from Canada. Municipal Solid Waste (Trash) from Canada represents 25% of the trash accepted at the landfill. Total Waste from Canada represents 19% of the Total Waste accepted at Arbor Hills. In simplistic terms, every 4th or 5th truck destroying Five Mile Road is from Canada and the landfill is filling much quicker than necessary. We can only hope the Canadian truckers buy their fuel in Michigan and pay Michigan fuel taxes.
Washtenaw County, a very progressive county with sustainable goals has become a trash receptacle for surrounding communities thanks to Arbor Hills. Over 94% of the Municipal Solid Waste (trash) accepted at Arbor Hills originated from outside of Washtenaw County. Canada shipped more than 4.5x the volume of trash as Washtenaw County to Arbor Hills. Washtenaw County doesn’t need Arbor Hills.
Where does the waste come from?
Over 94% of the trash accepted at Arbor Hills orginates oustide of Washtenaw County. Canada is responsible for 25% of the trash. Who does the Washtenaw County landfill really serve?
The data used in this article are from the EGLE Waste Data System. A screenshot of the data is provided below. This public information is available at https://www.egle.state.mi.us/wdspi/SolidWaste/AnnualLandfillReports.aspx?w=475946&ctl00_Body_ReportList=0*0*1*0&es=%23tbl_SWALFRptYear%7C1930*%23tbl_SWALFRptYear%7C2267*%23tbl_SWALFRptYear%7C1233 but the system may not be intuitive to a first time user.
Screenshot of the EGLE Waste Data System showing Arbor Hills data from 2022
Material Management Plans
Michigan’s Solid Waste Regulations were recently updated by a package of legislative bills which were deliberated over the past 7 years in Lansing. The regulations, commonly referred to as the Part 115 regulations, are designed to improve recycling within Michigan. The updated regulations will require each county to create Materials Management Plans (MMP). A new waste facility must be included in the county’s MMP and represents the first step for GFL to gain approval for a potential landfill expansion. The Initial MMP for Washtenaw County will be required within 3 years.
The Conservancy Initiative expects Green for Life to ask Washtenaw County to include a landfill expansion in their MMP and push for expedited development and approval of the MMP. The Conservancy Initiative is beginning to make plans to make sure our voices are heard during this process.
Your help will be needed. We will publish more ideas once the process has begun, but it is not too early to let all our community leaders, especially elected officials, know that an expansion of Arbor Hills is NOT ACCEPTABLE.