Waste

Minnesota debates what counts as carbon-free energy

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By Ruth Thornton
A recent decision by Minnesota’s Public Utilities Commission could mean that wood and trash will be considered “carbon-free” energy sources under the state’s new climate law. The law, passed in 2023, requires all electricity to come from carbon-free sources by 2040, with interim goals defined for 2030 and 2035. However, it did not define which energy sources meet that definition and instead tasked the PUC to make that decision with public input. At first glance, the definition of carbon-free energy seems straightforward. But there is disagreement over the details.

Waste

Human composting draws interest as alternative to traditional burials

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By Anna Rossow

Capital News Service

The popularity of a cheaper and environmentally friendly burial alternative is rising in the U.S., but Michigan has yet to legalize it. Human composting transforms the body into soil, according to Earth Funeral, a human composting company with locations in Washington and Nevada.Human. Human composting, which accelerates the natural decomposition process, is legal in 12 states, according to Recompose, another company in the field, with Washington the first to legalize the practice in 2020. 

Similar legislation has been introduced in other states, but not Michigan. Haley Morris of Earth Funeral said Michigan residents still have access to human composting and the company often gets interest from people in Michigan. “We can coordinate if people want to pre-plan, or even if they have lost a loved one and are in immediate need to transport their loved one to one of our facilities in Washington state or Nevada, and have their loved one undergo the natural organic reduction process there,” she said.

Waste

Targeted grants aim to increase Michigan’s recycling efforts

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By Donté Smith

Capital News Service

For the third year in a row, Michigan’s recycling rate has hit a record-high, according to the Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy. Michigan’s recycling rate has risen from about 14% before 2019 to over 23% now. Officials say they expect the state will reach a 30% recycling rate by 2029. 
According to the most recent figures from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the national recycling rate is currently 32% with a goal to increase that number to 50% by 2030. The state department aims to further expand recycling access with over $5 million in new grants to support projects in Metro Detroit, Genesee County, Lansing, Southwest Oakland County, Isabella County, Van Buren County, Marquette County, Sterling Heights and Madison Heights. Genesee County is set to receive $900,000 to establish its first-ever countywide recycling drop-off center. 
Cody Roblyer, the lead planner for the Genesee County Metropolitan Planning Commission, said the demolition phase will be completed at the previous site of McDonald Dairy Company, directly off I-475 in Flint by early 2025.

Land

Industry opposition, partisan politics slow polluter-pay bills

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By Elinor Epperson

Capital News Service

It’s been one year since Michigan Democrats introduced legislation that would significantly change the state’s environmental regulations. But those bills are stuck in committee. Election distractions, negotiation, and a slim Democratic majority in the state House have kept a suite of polluter-pay bills in limbo, according to environmental advocates and one of the  sponsors. Polluter-pay laws hold businesses financially liable for contamination they cause. Lawmakers introduced the bills a year ago, but they haven’t made much progress since.

Adaptive Reuse

Cities of tomorrow are surprisingly old

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A new report by RentCafe documents the nationwide trend. So-called adaptive reuse apartments are more popular than new apartment developments from 2020-2021, the study says. 

Beaches

Beach cleaning robots are coming to Lake Erie

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The BeBots and Pixedrones will be deployed to Olander Park near Toledo, and then Hinckley Reservation, North Coast Harbor, Fairport Harbor Beach of the Cleveland area.

Waste

Don’t hide your poo — and here’s why

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Universities across the globe are monitoring wastewater on their campuses for viruses like COVID-19. It is a practice that has raised some medical privacy concerns, although researchers say there is no way to link the detection of the virus in wastewater with an individual who is sick. 

Echo

Ontario groups fight to reduce food waste

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The average London, Ontario, household wastes 2.81 kg (6 pounds) of food each week, and approximately half the food waste is avoidable. Local communities and nonprofits are looking for solutions to the problem. 

Waste

Indiana environmental services exec sentenced for mishandling hazardous wastes

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A federal judge has placed the ex-president of a Fort Wayne environmental services company – described in her lawyer’s sentencing memorandum as “kind, generous, hard-working and honest” and a “huge source of inspiration” for her children and grandchildren” – on probation for two years for illegally storing hazardous wastes and falsifying a document.