FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Ada Takacs, 989-275-5151, Ext. 2049
Date: April 16, 2007
Spring Cleanup Reminder
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources reminds people who are spring cleaning to ensure that trash and building debris are disposed of legally. This is the time of year when people start knocking down cobwebs and cleaning out their basements and garages. Unfortunately, many times the trash ends up illegally dumped in our forests.
There are nearly 1,100 known illegal dumpsites on public land in Michigan. It is estimated that this represents only 25 percent of what’s actually out there. Citizens can help by requiring landfill receipts from anybody who offers to take away their trash for a fee if the hauler is not from a licensed disposal company.
“It’s amazing how many times we find proof of dumping in the woods, only to find out that the person who generated the trash paid someone to dispose of it for them,” said Sgt. Peter Malette, Area Law Supervisor. The person who generated the trash is still responsible for it according to Part 89, Littering, of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act (NREPA).
Many communities provide curbside pickup and/or annual trash collection days. Composting sites and recycling stations are also available across the state. If your community does not offer these amenities, you are encouraged to contact your local units of government to find out what your legal disposal options are in the area. Another source of this information is the Department of Environmental Quality website at www.michigan.gov/deq under Solid Waste.
Last year, 800 truck loads of trash were removed from public land by volunteers. Many of these sites were investigated by Conservation Officers and proof of dumping was found. Trash is not only unsightly, but it also has the potential to cause harm to the environment and wildlife.
For further information about the Adopt-a-Forest program contact Ada Takacs at 989-275-5151, Extension 2049.
# # #