Organics
Organic material is any material that is biodegradable (can be broken down into carbon dioxide, water, methane, or simple organic molecules by micro-organisms and other living things) and comes from either a plant or animal. Organics comprise more than one-third of both the municipal waste and recycling streams in Michigan. In 1990, an amendment to the state's Solid Waste Management Act banned the disposal of yard clippings as an effort to reduce harmful landfill gases and convert organics into resources.
The Michigan Recycling Coalition, through its Michigan Organics Council, works to bring together organics generators, processors, and end users to network, share best practices, and promote diversion of organics and utilization of compost and other end products. In November of 2017, the Michigan Organics Council voted to become Michigan's Charter Chapter of the U.S. Composting Council (USCC).
Michigan Organics Council members are members of the Michigan Recycling Coalition who have an interest in promoting, educating, and advocating best management practices for organics and the production of compost products to the benefit of soil and environmental health.