Soon, the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) will announce that it’s time to update the County Solid Waste Management Plans.

Earth Day was the day before my 15th birthday and, finally, the state of Michigan will be seriously moving away from a garbage for land approach to responsibly and properly managing the treasures we throw away.

The new plans will not provide for new landfill siting and will instead focus on and require a materials recovery approach.

Organics will be removed and composted into rich soil. Curbside recycling pick-up will be required in the new plans by haulers. Investments are being made in Materials Recovery Facilities (MRF’s).

This is good news for our Northeast Michigan region as the new MRF comes on line in Alpena! The new MRF will far exceed the effort in Emmet County and will provide local jobs here in Northeast Michigan. It’s been 53 years since Earth Day. We are finally taking an important, cost-effective and responsible step in the environmental direction.

WAYNE VERMILYA,

Onaway