WAYNE COUNTY, Mich. – Neighbors in Van Buren Township and surrounding cities such as Belleville, Canton Township, and Romulus are voicing strong opposition to plans to expand the Wayne Disposal landfill.
The landfill owners are seeking approval to increase their capacity to accept more hazardous waste, including a vertical expansion of the site.
This summer, a judge blocked the landfill from accepting radioactive waste from the Manhattan Project after community pushback.
Environmental groups and residents are concerned about the potential risks, urging the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) to prioritize the protection of local people and natural resources over approving the expansion.
EGLE and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have indicated they intend to issue the license, but are holding a town hall meeting in Belleville to hear community feedback.
Republic Services, the landfill operator, provided a rare inside tour of the facility and emphasized that the expansion is vertical-only, maintaining the same footprint.
Bill Carr of Republic Services said the vertical expansion allows the landfill to fill the valley without expanding outward.
When asked why the expansion isn’t located elsewhere, given community opposition, Carr said the facility was established as a regional asset years ago and continues to serve that purpose.
Sylwia Scott from Republic Services stated, “The data proves the fact that we’re safe. Everything is safe.”
The informational meeting began at 5 p.m., with the hearing portion scheduled to start at 7 p.m. at the Wayne County Community College campus.