Resource Recovery #85

Daily we generate vast quantities of all types of recoverable materials. Our society must reduce as much solid waste as practical through a wide variety of ways.

We specifically support strategies for resource recovery through the following:

• Using farm plastic recycling programs such as Clean Sweep.
• Implementing recycling programs for agricultural tires and all reusable agricultural material.
• Establishing grant or loan programs to facilitate purchasing equipment capable of processing agricultural and heavy-duty tires and tracks.
• Adopt-a-local-roadside programs.
• Michigan Farm Bureau working with universities, Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy to seek solutions for composting organic materials including, animal, plant, forest and silvicultural materials, and differentiating between agricultural and commercial composters to protect the welfare of residents as well as the integrity of agriculture.
• Incentives to use biodegradable products, especially those made from renewable agricultural products.
• Amendments to the bottle law requiring similar containers have a 10-cent deposit.
• Land application of properly researched and approved materials at agronomic rates without additional state or local regulation.
• Alternative uses for excess food ranging from food banks to anaerobic digesters.

We encourage agricultural representation on all established Solid Waste Advisory Committees required by the Solid Waste Management Act.

We oppose hauling waste into Michigan from other states and countries for disposal, including nuclear and hazardous waste.