The transition from solid waste to materials management planning is coming soon!

Legislation revitalizing Michigan’s solid waste statute was signed into law in the last part of December.  This is exciting news for the state of Michigan, as it memorializes our new way of thinking about end-of-life materials; it is a change from items being disposed to a holistic materials management approach!

While this is an exciting time, implementing the new law is a huge undertaking that will require thoughtful, deliberate changes, and updates to EGLE’s programs.  This is especially the case for Michigan’s planning program, as it will require creating an all-NEW Materials Management Planning Program.

EGLE knows everyone is excited and anxious to find out what this means for them and when things will get started.  EGLE has been developing an implementation plan and process, but there are still many unknowns that need to be fleshed out. Please watch our website at Michigan.gov/SolidWaste for updates.

The first and most important thing to know is that while EGLE is working behind the scenes to get things ready for implementing the changes in the law and the new programs these changes necessitate, implementation will be done in a manner to provide sufficient time for EGLE, counties, materials management facilities, and other stakeholders to prepare to implement the changes.  Stakeholders will also be provided opportunities to comment, ask questions, and engage in trainings and webinars.

As many of you know, EGLE has a Materials Management Planning Workgroup (MMP Workgroup) that has been meeting for about a year.  EGLE plans to utilize this group to help guide counties, specifically their designated planning agencies, through the process to prepare for the initiation of the new Materials Management Planning Program.  It is important to ensure that someone from your county is included and participating in the MMP Workgroup meetings to receive the most up-to-date information. Please confirm that you have someone in the group by reaching out to your County or Regional Designated Planning Agency Contact and let EGLE know at EGLE-MaterialsManagementPlanning@Michigan.gov, if changes or additions to the MMP Workgroup are needed.

Please see the following information responsive to the planning questions EGLE has been receiving:

The new law becomes effective on March 29, 2023. To stay informed on planning related items, please subscribe to Materials Management News and Info and Materials Management Planning to receive electronic updates.

The timeframe for initiation of the Materials Management Plan (MMP) has not yet been determined and will be initiated by EGLE. However, it should be noted that there will be sufficient notice to counties prior to any initiation of the MMP process. There will be funding available to counties that file a notice of intent to prepare a new MMP and additional funds for counties that develop a multi-county MMP.

Prior to EGLE initiating the MMP process, make sure that someone representing your county is participating in the MMP Workgroup, then start reaching out to adjacent counties to see if there is any interest in creating a materials management program together.  Review your various materials management mechanisms to see if they need any changes or if new mechanisms need to be pursued.  Look for potential partnerships with both private industry and communities, to see if opportunities may exist to collaborate.  And last but not least, participate in upcoming webinars, trainings, pertinent conferences, and get engaged as much as you can!

There are a lot of benefits from working with other counties to develop a MMP, including but not limited to the compounding effect of additional grant funding for counties.  Counties with similar challenges with infrastructures and programs may have a similar solution.  Not every county needs a state-of-the-art materials management facility, but every county will need to provide capacity for the materials they are generating.  Other benefits of working with other counties include the potential increase in collected materials, increase in recycling access, increase in overall tonnage of materials collected allowing for better marketing, having a consistent education and outreach program that provides for less contamination, and having more economies of scale and efficiencies in contracting, education, and providing services.  

We understand that county planners are being asked by county administration to give an update on the new requirements, and planners are unsure how best to proceed. We recommend waiting until more information is available.  As new information becomes available, it will be shared electronically.  Additionally, we encourage that they subscribe to Materials Management News and Info and Materials Management Planning, to receive updates.  EGLE will be providing various opportunities for stakeholder engagement throughout the implementation process.

As stated above, our hope is to utilize our MMP Workgroup to continue engagement, provide education for the various new MMP requirements (and other pertinent requirements), provide opportunities for stakeholders to ask questions, connect counties for future collaboration, etc.  All of these items will allow counties to start and create the MMP more efficiently and effectively once EGLE has initiated the MMP process.  We appreciate your patience as we venture together through this process during this historic time in Michigan!

If you have planning questions related the new law please email EGLE-MaterialsManagementPlanning@Michigan.gov and if you have general questions related to the new law, please email EGLE-MMD-SW@Michigan.gov.