In a press release and a letter sent to county executives today, EGLE announced the start of the Material Management Planning (MMP) process. The MMP process is required by Michigan’s waste regulations (mcl-324.115) which were amended in December 2022. The amended regulations require each county to develop Material Management Plans for the waste generated in their county with a focus on improving Michigan's recycling from <20% to 45%. This improvement will greatly reduce the demand for landfill capacity in Michigan.
Counties have 180 days to accept the responsibility to create and maintain a Material Management Plan for all waste generated in their county. Updating of the MMPs will be required every 5 years. During the first year (2024) counties must appoint members to serve on the MMP committee which will be tasked with developing plans to recycle or landfill all waste generated in the county.
The MMP process is the first step in gaining approval for a new "disposal area or materials management facility" (including landfills). The Conservancy Initiative expects Green for Life will apply for permits to expand landfill capacity at Arbor Hills (i.e. - a new landfill north of Six Mile Road) as Arbor Hills is expected to fill within 6 years.
We will have more updates as the Material Planning Process is rolled out in 2024. Residents impacted by Arbor Hills will want to attend the meetings of the MMP committee which will be open to the public.