Polluter pay legislation passed the state Senate last year but was lost amid a tumultuous and early end to the Michigan legislature’s lame duck session in December.
Posted inDeep Dives
Banana peels to coasters: Is this the future of food waste?
At Michigan Central’s Newlab, EcoSphere Organics is pioneering biodegradable materials from food waste, while apps like Flashfood and Food Rescue US are tackling food surplus by connecting it to those in need.
Posted inGuides
GUIDE: How Michigan’s new universal lead testing law affects your child
Michigan’s new rules require doctors to test all children for lead exposure at key ages.
Posted inDeep Dives
Can Michigan fix its food waste problem with composting?
In Detroit’s Riverbend neighborhood, Sanctuary Farms and Midtown Composting & Recycling Co. are pioneering efforts to transform food waste into nutrient-rich soil, empowering communities to embrace sustainable practices. Across Michigan, similar initiatives are emerging, as cities and schools launch programs to divert food scraps and reduce landfill reliance.
Posted inNews
House proposal threatens solar tax credits. Install now, experts say.
With federal solar tax credits on the chopping block, millions face losing access to affordable solar power, threatening a sharp decline in residential solar capacity.
Posted inDeep Dives
Rotting food, rising heat: How Michigan’s landfills help drive methane pollution
Michigan ranks 8th in the nation for landfilled food waste, contributing to climate-warming methane emissions. A 2023 law now requires counties to develop organic material recovery plans, aiming to curb this environmental impact.
Posted inDeep Dives
Play Planet Detroit’s food waste game
Do you want to know the climate impact of your food waste choices? Play our game to learn how you can have the greatest impact on the planet-warming effects of wasted food.
Posted inNews
Michigan biodigester bills raise water pollution concerns: ‘Health and tourism disaster’
Environmental advocates in Michigan are raising alarms over proposed legislation that could deregulate digestate, a biogas byproduct, citing risks of groundwater contamination and legal violations.
Posted inVoices
VOICES: Michigan is the first state to require water filters in schools. Let’s make sure it’s done right.
Michigan leads the nation by mandating lead-removing filters in school drinking water, empowering families to scrutinize their school’s Drinking Water Management Plan.
Posted inNews
Allergies, meet climate change: ‘April was a pretty bad month’
Detroiters with allergies are feeling the impact of climate change, as the city’s pollen season has grown by 31 days since 1970, exacerbating allergy symptoms. Remedies favored by allergists include closing windows; showering and changing clothes after outdoor activities; and using nasal sprays and eye drops.