trash

Have you ever wondered exactly what happens to your trash, recyclables and compost after you throw it away? WEMU’s Caroline MacGregor explored the answers with Lydia McMullen-Laird. She is the co-founder of Ann Arbor-based ZeroWaste.org. They discussed whether progress is being made in Washtenaw County, and whether there is a likelihood of regression, given rollbacks in environmental investments at the state and federal level.

The Michigan football season is underway, and excitement and expectations are on high for what the Wolverines can accomplish on the field of play. There are also big expectations for what happens in and around the rest of the "Big House". Work towards making Michigan gamedays a zero-waste event continue, and WEMU's David Fair discussed progress with U-M Senior Project Manager, Alison Richardson.

Ypsilanti residents will be receiving new trash cans from the city in an effort to standardize trash collection. WEMU’s Ana Longoria has the details.

Ann Arbor city officials are streamlining waste and recycling disposal at the drop-off station on Ellsworth with their new pass program. WEMU’s Ana Longoria has the details.

Ypsilanti Township has four millage renewals on the August 5th ballot to continue funding for police, fire, rubbish, and recreation. WEMU’s Kevin Meerschaert reports.

Paper or plastic? We’ve all answered that question in the checkout line at the grocery store or supermarket. While reusable bags are growing in popularity, plastic bags remain ubiquitous in retail shopping. A movement to start banning plastic bags, or at least charge money for choosing them at the store, was thwarted in 2016 when the state Legislature banned local governments from passing such environmental measures. Now, Democratic State Representative Morgan Foreman of Ann Arbor is working to lift that ban. She joined WEMU's David Fair to discuss the legislation and what it aims to accomplish.

Michigan attracts trash. Accumulated garbage from places like Ohio, Indiana and Canada ends up in Michigan landfills. In fact, out-of-state garbage accounts for about 25% of what is being dumped in Michigan landfills. State Senator Jeff Irwin is looking to make Michigan a less attractive dumping site by raising the cost of sending garbage here. WEMU's David Fair talked with the Ann Arbor Democrat about his bills to increase tipping fees.

Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s new budget proposal includes a big increase in the state surcharge on dumping waste in landfills. We have more from Rick Pluta.

The City of Ann Arbor’s Department of Parks and Recreation is hosting "Love a Park Days" in November. WEMU’s Ana Longoria has more.

It's time to talk some trash! The 3rd annual Trash Talk Tour in Washtenaw County is right around the corner. Trash Talk Tour co-organizer and zerowaste.org executive director Samuel McMullen joined WEMU's David Fair with a special brand of "trash talk."