Landfills & Dumps in Michigan

Michigan's waste management system is overseen by the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) Materials Management Division, which focuses on reducing environmental impacts through convenient recycling access, organics management, and adequate disposal options. All 67 Michigan landfills are required to submit disposal information to EGLE, which compiles annual reports for the Legislature. The state's solid waste law, Part 115 of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act, was significantly amended in December 2022 to modernize waste management planning.

Michigan's famous 10-cent bottle deposit program covers carbonated beverage containers and achieves over 90 percent return rates, keeping billions of containers out of landfills annually. Residents return empties to retailers or redemption centers for refunds. Beyond beverage containers, the state has set a goal of 45 percent overall recycling, with an interim target of 30 percent by 2029. Municipalities with over 5,000 residents must provide curbside recycling service to 90 percent of single-family households by 2028.

Disposal fees vary across Michigan, typically ranging from $30 to $50 per ton for municipal waste, with residential self-haul loads costing $20 to $40 per pickup truck. Upper Peninsula communities often face limited disposal options due to distance and sparse population, relying on transfer stations that haul waste to regional landfills. Some remote areas hold periodic collection events rather than maintaining permanent facilities. Contact your county for local options and current pricing.

Several materials are prohibited from Michigan landfills. Yard clippings such as grass, leaves, and landscape trimmings must be composted onsite or taken to composting facilities, except when diseased or infested. Bulk liquids from businesses must be solidified before disposal, and drums must be either full of solid waste or crushed. Most hazardous waste from businesses and institutions requires disposal at licensed hazardous waste management facilities separate from solid waste landfills.

Under the amended Part 115 regulations, counties and regions are developing comprehensive Materials Management Plans that focus on sustainable approaches like recycling and composting rather than just landfill capacity. EGLE finalized a General Permit for Materials Utilization Facilities after public comment ending in January 2025. Before visiting any disposal facility, contact them directly to confirm accepted materials, current fees, and operating hours.