LANSING, Mich., April 23, 2025 — State Rep. Reggie Miller (D-Van Buren Twp.) announced the reintroduction of her legislation to reduce toxic waste dumping in Michigan today. This bill will disincentivize the importing of waste from neighboring states and Canada by increasing Michigan’s landfill fees, which are currently some of the lowest in the country.

“The health and safety of my community is my number one priority and right now that is at risk due to the amount of waste being taken in,” Miller said. “This is an issue that I have long fought against, and I will not let up until our laws are adequately updated. It is far past time that we do right by our communities and pass this legislation to protect the people we serve. They have made their voices loud and clear — we are not your dumping ground.”

This legislation will bring Michigan’s landfill tipping fees closer in line with those of neighboring states. Under this bill, solid waste fees will increase from 36 cents per ton to $1.20 per ton, hazardous waste fees will increase from $10 to $25 per ton and TENORM, which is radioactive waste, fees will increase from $5 to $12.50 per ton.

“Our communities are sick and tired of being the go-to dumping grounds for some of the most hazardous waste in North America,” said state Sen. Darrin Camilleri (D-Trenton). “This legislation will modernize our decades-old waste management framework to reflect current science, and will put safeguards in place to ensure facilities operate at appropriate scales and locations. Given the proposed federal cuts to the EPA, it’s now even more important that we create a statewide waste management system that prioritizes public health and environmental protection.”

“Keeping our communities safe from hazardous waste is our foremost priority,” said U.S. Congresswoman Debbie Dingell. “Michigan has more trash in landfills per resident than anywhere else in the country, and our state’s waste disposal tipping fees are significantly lower than other Midwestern states. We must have serious conversations on how to reduce the influx of this trash, which will reduce the risks of contamination, and increased tipping fees are a critical tool to do so.”

Miller originally introduced this legislation last term to block efforts to move radioactive waste from a Manhattan Project waste storage site in New York State to a landfill in Van Buren Twp. Local residents have voiced their opposition to the waste being brought to their community, citing health and safety concerns.

“The bill to allow low-level naturally occurring radioactive waste (TENORM) was first put forward to protect our disposal of medical waste like radiologists’ gloves and smoke detectors,” said Kevin McNamara, Van Buren Twp. supervisor. “Through loopholes in this outdated legislation the nation has found a convenient way to dispose of uranium ore processing from Nuclear bomb manufacturing. This was not the intent of this legislation — we need to fix this wording and stop Michigan from becoming the radioactive dumping ground for the United States.”

“Michigan has allowed itself to become the dumping grounds for hazardous waste from several other states,” said Robert McCraight, mayor of Romulus. “The time for legislation preventing additional hazardous waste from being buried in Michigan is long overdue. We are home to the nation’s largest supply of fresh water. The fact that we continue to permit radioactive waste to be buried here in addition to hazardous liquid waste to be buried below our great lakes for profit should be criminal! It’s time for Michigan legislators to protect our environment as well as the health and wellbeing of our residents. This is not a Democratic or Republican issue…it is a Michigan issue.”

To view the full House Dems “Not Your Dumping Ground” press conference, click here.

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