Some Michiganders are asking Toronto not to export one of its most plentiful goods - trash.
A bill to ban waste from being imported into Michigan from other states and countries was passed by the Michigan State Senate's National Resources and Environmental Affairs Committee yesterday.
Some local residents are concerned about a deal between Toronto officials and the Arbor Hills landfill in Salem Twp. that would allow Toronto to send about 500,000 tons of garbage to the landfill per year beginning in 1998.
"It's a dumb idea to cart trash from Toronto to Michigan," said Ann Arbor Mayor Ingrid Sheldon. "Nobody wants a landfill in their backyard."
Some said the the Canadian city is looking to export its waste because of landfill fees. It costs $60 per ton of waste in Toronto and it only costs $25-30 in Michigan to dispose of waste.
Many legislators are angered by other states and countries taking advantage of Michigan's low disposal prices.
"Michigan has worked so hard to recycle, reduce and reuse," said state Rep. Eileen DeHart (D-Westland). "It's win-win for them and lose-lose for us. It's a shame."
The bill, proposed by state Sen. Loren Bennett (R-Canton), is also aimed at controlling the large amounts of waste from other states that Michigan currently receives. Fourteen percent of Michigan's landfills are comprised of waste from outside of the state.
The state's department of environmental quality has been supportive of Bennett's bill.
"We very definitely support the bill," said Ken Silfven, press secretary for the Department of Environmental Quality. "It is the first step in addressing a serious problem. Senator Bennett should be commended."
Ingrid Thompson, the press secretary for Norman Sterling, Toronto's minister of environment and energy, said Toronto is exporting the garbage because Browning Ferris Industries, the owner of Arbor Hills landfill, placed the lowest bid for the city's business.
"There are landfill sites here in Toronto that were competing for the business," Thompson said. "It was completely economic competition."
Although Bennett's bill is aimed at giving the states the authority to regulate waste importing, some legislators who agree with the spirit of the bill said the legislation is unenforceable.
"It's unconstitutional," said Rep. Tom Alley (D-West Branch). "Michigan cannot regulate interstate transportation. Until the federal government acts, nothing can be done."
Sen. Alma Wheeler Smith (D-Salem Twp.) said the bill was proposed only to make a statement, because the Michigan Legislature already passed a law that gives Michigan the power to restrict garbage imports. That law was struck down by the United States Supreme Court, but could be activated if the U.S. Congress votes to allow it.
"This bill is a political game that is being played," Smith said. "Until Congress acts, this law will not have an effect."
State Rep. Liz Brater (D-Ann Arbor) said she is planning to introduce a resolution to urge the U.S. Congress to give states the power to control garbage imports within their borders. Brater said U.S. Sen. Carl Levin (D-Mich.) and U.S. Rep. Lynn Rivers (D-Ann Arbor) have both introduced similar legislation, which failed.
"The trash-exporting states obviously are against it," Brater said.
Brater said she will also propose legislation to regulate the amount of new landfills created in the state.