Green for Life’s Approach to Compliance
Green for Life’s record at the Arbor Hills landfill shows a consistent “minimal compliance” approach—only addressing environmental standards when absolutely necessary and often using the enforcement process to delay significant upgrades. The company’s inability to reliably meet PFOS discharge limits, despite years of warnings and updated regulations, demonstrates a reluctance to invest in effective treatment technology until regulators exert pressure.
Stormwater Violations
The Arbor Hills Landfill received a violation over four years ago for discharging stormwater into a Johnson Creek tributary, with PFOS levels exceeding allowable limits. The violation states that the illegal discharge is continuing, but Green for Life has done little to address the issues, even refusing to regularly test its discharges and share the results with the community. It’s unlikely the problem will be resolved until EGLE and/or the Attorney General intervene to force action. The Conservancy Initiative has published several articles documenting the impact on Johnson Creek. Here is our latest blog post.
A New PFOS Issue
Recently, we learned that the Arbor Hills Landfill is struggling to comply with PFOS discharge limits in its leachate, which enters Northville Township’s sewer system and is transported—up to 100,000 gallons daily—to the YCUA treatment facility in Ypsilanti. YCUA’s plant is not equipped to remove PFOS; it controls PFOS in its discharge by setting strict limits for its industrial users. Arbor Hills received a new permit in September 2025, limiting PFOS to 170 ng/l. Industries expected the new limits. Green for Life installed a treatment system to remove PFOS and other PFAS[1] chemicals from the leachate; however, the system appears to be designed only to meet minimal removal standards.
Recently, the landfill proposed entering a voluntary Administrative Consent Order to establish a timeline for meeting the required discharge standards. This order will likely allow Green for Life to continue discharging PFOS for years while it improves its treatment process. Once again, Green for Life delays required actions until regulatory agencies force compliance, rather than proactively protecting the environment and communities. They believe there’s little risk in this approach because US regulatory agencies have limited power to hold companies accountable to higher standards.
Looking Ahead: Community Leaders Must Make Important Decisions
Green for Life has proposed operating a NEW LANDFILL that will affect several future generations of area residents. A new landfill is not necessary.
Michigan already has over 26 years of capacity in existing landfills
Fewer landfills promote recycling efforts
Most of Washtenaw’s trash is shipped outside the county
The current site is too close to populated areas
The Arbor Hills site has a history of environmental compliance issues that threaten residents’ health, safety, and property values
Residents are encouraged to voice their concerns and press for stronger oversight from local leaders.
NO NEW LANDFILL!!!
[1] In this article, we use the acronyms PFAS and PFOS. PFAS refers to a large family of chemicals, known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, which are synthetic chemicals. PFOS refers to a specific PFAS chemical, Perfluorooctane sulfonic acid, which is regulated in Michigan as a water contaminant