Dive Brief:

• The Department of Environmental Quality released the latest results of its annual solid waste report for the state of Michigan in fiscal year 2014.
• According to the report, the volume of solid waste disposed of in Michigan landfills rose 5.6% last year.
• The agency attributed the extra 2 million cubic yards of waste to a robust economy, and acknowledged that the increase indicates a need for improved recycling.

Dive Insight:

The 2015 state fiscal budget has $1 million earmarked for the DEQ to advance recycling initiatives. The agency has plans to launch a campaign encouraging residents to recycle. 

Michigan Governor Rick Snyder set a goal to double the state’s recycling rate in under two years, getting the rate in alignment with the national average.