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Don't Trash Michigan' Launched

Major New Campaign Targets Communities, Lawmakers

Monday, February 10, at 10:05 a.m. in Romulus and Noon at the Ambassador Bridge in Detroit nearly two dozen Michigan environmental organizations, community and religious groups unveiedl a comprehensive campaign to curb out-of-state trash and empower local communities to take measures toward a cleaner, greener Michigan. The campaign will mobilize public support for proposals that include ending subsidies and tightening standards for landfills, boosting recycling and expanding Michigan's bottle bill.

A Don't Trash Michigan web site- www.stoptrash.org -was launched to facilitate public participation. The announcement comes on the heels of Gov. Jennifer Granholm's State of the State message in which she vowed to confront Michigan's 'trash can' status, saying the state "will no longer be America's dumping ground."

Who: Don't Trash Michigan organizations and supporters

Where: Ambassador Bridge at the mouth at the Welcome to Michigan sign; intersection of Citrin and Inkster roads at the proposed Romulus, Michigan hazardous waste site.

When: 10:05 am, February 10, 2003, in Romulus; Noon at the Ambassador Bridge.

Visuals: Colorful, official 'Don't Trash Michigan' banner and Mr. Don't Trash Michigan Garbageman with 'heart'-felt Valentines greetings from Toronto.

All are invited to participate in this exciting and important campaign. More details at www.stoptrash.org.

Story

While Gov.Granholm and lawmakers say they want to clean up Michigan's 'trash can' reputation, Canada and neighboring states take advantage of the state's cheap landfill space and deposit 5.8 million cubic yards of waste into our state's rapidly filling landfills. Meanwhile citizens' objections are ignored when international industries propose to dump unsafe hazardous wastes in our communities. Widespread illegal dumping and increasing litter from bottles and cans are trashing our neighborhoods and local communities. The Don't Trash Michigan campaign will call on all of us to take personal responsibility for cleaning up our state while holding elected officials accountable.

For more information contact:
Mike Garfield, Ecology Center 734-663-2400 ext. 104
David Holtz, Sierra Club 313-965-0055 or 313-300-4454 (cell)

To visit the campaign's website:
www.stoptrash.org