Pollution Prevention Week highlights ways to reduce, reuse and recycle waste

As part of Pollution Prevention (P2) Week, the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) encourages Michigan residents to incorporate activities into their daily routines that reduce, reuse and recycle waste. The annual P2 Week also provides an opportunity to reflect and see progress on Michigan’s solid waste policy, first enacted in 1988. At that time, there were concerns Michigan was running out of space to burial.

Today’s challenges are different. Laws and regulations have changed; technology has changed; and Michigan’s economy has changed. All of these changes and a desire to improve the way Michigan handles solid waste prompted stakeholders to recommend bold policy changes in 2007 and reaffirm those changes in 2017, along with suggested revisions to update policies. current solid waste laws. Pending legislative changes are available on the Solid Waste and Recycling Advisors webpage.

The updated Solid Waste Policy introduced a fundamentally different approach to making solid waste management decisions. The policy has been updated to promote the perception of unwanted materials as a resource available for use in a global economy, rather than prescribing disposal options. It has been updated to challenge each of us to make decisions based on three key sustainability principles:

  • Economic vitality.
  • Ecological integrity.
  • Improved quality of life.

The accompanying graphic illustrates the hierarchy of Michigan’s sustainable materials management approach and provides a simple roadmap for making more sustainable choices.

P2 Week (September 19-25) is an opportunity for individuals, schools, communities and businesses to present or share ideas on how they are reducing waste, being more efficient or reducing energy consumption. energy. Promoting P2 activities at home, work and school helps protect the local economy, improve health and reduce energy costs.

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