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Government Affairs > 2013 Agenda > Environment > Beneficial Use
Beneficial Use
MMA members continue to promote the sensible and safe reuse of our industrial by-products through development of sound policies and growing markets. MMA members are working with the Snyder Administration and the Legislature on beneficial use and reuse legislation. With ideas and recommendations developed through MMA’s workgroup process, by-products such as foundry sand, fly ash, paper mill residuals, crushed concrete and asphalt pavement all could be used for developing new products, if the regulatory programs are changed. We look forward to seeing these member-driven ideas adopted by the Legislature and signed into law by Governor Snyder.
 

Update


The ORR review committee recommended the state adopt a new comprehensive beneficial reuse law. Based on this recommendation, MMA members worked throughout 2012 to review the current laws and rules dealing with beneficial use and reuse of industrial by-products. We have been working on this issue area for over a decade trying to get new solid waste rules adopted by the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) to allow for beneficial use of products rather than bury them in a landfill. We expect to have draft language ready in February 2013 with introduction in the legislature in March. 1/17/2013

Background


In 2011 the Office of Regulatory Reinvention (ORR) conducted a thorough investigation and review of the rules, regulations and laws governing the activities of the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). Following 5 months of meetings, the ORR sent 79 recommendations to Governor Snyder on rules and regulations that should be changed or eliminated in the DEQ. Dan Wyant, DEQ Director announced in early 2012 that the department would begin immediately to implement the Governor’s recommendations. Read more on the DEQ implementation of the ORR recommendations is available at: l