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In 2008, Ann Arbor residents sent 37,071 tons of trash to the landfill, a slight decrease from 2007. Even with this decrease, the City is far from its goal of zero waste.
Source: Ann Arbor Solid Waste, Systems Planning |
2002 and 2003 data are estimated.
What is included in total tons landfilled?
Municipal solid waste landfills (MFWLFs) receive household waste. MSWLFs can also receive non-hazardous sludge, industrial solid waste, and construction and demolition debris. All MSWLFs must comply with the federal regulations.
Some materials may be banned from disposal in municipal solid waste landfills including common household items such as paints, cleaners/chemicals, motor oil, batteries, and pesticides. These household hazardous waste products, if mishandled, can be dangerous to your health and the environment. Many municipal landfills have a household hazardous waste drop-off station for these materials.
Source: U.S. EPA
How does landfilling affect our environment?
When materials are placed in a landfill, those resources will not be used again.
What protections are being taken at the closed Ann Arbor landfill to help protect our environment?
Phase II landfill is lined with layers of clay, plastic and sand to seal off the bottom and top. To protect the environment, all liquids within the landfill are trapped in the leachate well or by the slurry wall. For more information, visit the Resource Recovery Center Online Tour. This site is designed for students and contains a brief introduction to some of the engineered elements of the landfill site.
Where does my trash get landfilled?
Ann Arbor's Phase II landfill was filled in 8 years and was sealed shut in 1992. Today, all non-recyclable refuse from Ann Arbor is taken to the MRF where it is compacted for easier (and less expensive) transport to the Woodland Meadows Landfill in Canton, Michigan.
More information
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