Governor signs Green bill amending state recycling requirements

green-and-snyder

(AREA) — A signing ceremony was held with Governor Rick Snyder last week for State Senator Mike Green’s legislation that reforms the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act to strengthen Michigan’s guidelines for recycling. The legislation was introduced as a result of Snyder’s 2014 call to improve the state’s recycling programs. The Mayville Republican says the law amends the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act by setting guidelines for recycling reporting. Any recycling establishment will now be required to report to the DEQ on an annual basis via a form provided by the department, allowing the department to anonymously gather data on the state’s recycling efforts. According to Senator Green, Michigan’s recycling rate is lagging behind not only other states in the Great Lakes region, but most of the nation as well. He added that by signing the legislation into law, we are putting Michigan in a position to increase investment, innovative measure, and statewide participation in programs that keep recyclable waste out of our landfills.

green and snyder

State Sen. Mike Green, R-Mayville, stands with Gov. Rick Snyder during a bill signing ceremony for Senate Bill 507 on Tuesday.

Governor with group

State Sen. Mike Green, R-Mayville, is joined by representatives from the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, the Michigan Waste and Recycling Association, and the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries, as his bill, Senate Bill 507, is signed into law.