The Washtenaw County Material Management Planning (MMP) Committee held its inaugural meeting on November 14th. This committee is tasked with identifying strategies to enhance waste recycling to meet statewide recycling goals, including deciding whether a new landfill will be needed when Arbor Hills shuts down in 5 years. The initial meeting primarily allowed committee members to introduce themselves and establish the ground rules for their collaboration. The staff from the Washtenaw County Department of Public Works did a commendable job preparing for and facilitating the meeting.
Approximately a dozen residents living near the Arbor Hills Landfill attended the meeting. As expected, GFL's plans for a new landfill in Salem Township were not discussed. However, several residents from the Northville area took the opportunity to address the committee during the public comments period. Each commenter was allotted two minutes to speak, and all remarks were delivered thoughtfully and respectfully. This feedback explaining the issues with the Arbor Hills landfill and its impacts on the community is valuable, especially since most committee members have either never seen the landfill or have not experienced its effects firsthand. The Conservancy Initiative extends its gratitude to the supporters who attended the meeting and provided their comments.
The next MMP committee meeting is scheduled for December 11th from 10:00 to 11:30 AM at the MSU Extension Washtenaw County Classroom, located at 705 N. Zeeb Road, Ann Arbor, 48103, First Floor. While we do not expect the committee to discuss the Salem Township Dump at this meeting, the public will again have the opportunity to provide respectful comments.
It is important to emphasize that we share the committee's objectives, which are to increase recycling efforts and reduce landfill waste. Achieving Michigan’s goal of recycling 45% of our waste could significantly decrease landfill waste, potentially allowing for the closure of several landfills the size of Arbor Hills.