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.

Waste

Michigan’s recycling rate lags U.S. average

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Michigan’s estimated overall recycling rate is 18%, which lags considerably behind the national average of 32%. Efforts to update recycling procedures, policies and practices are being made across the state.