Senator wants yard waste in landfills

June 10, 2008 - 7:38 AM

SAUGATUCK, Mich. (NEWSCHANNEL 3) - Right now everything's going green.

 

Landfills could be next.

 

State Senator Patty Birkholz from Saugatuck wants folks to be able to toss yard waste in with the trash.

 

Michigan banned it 13 years ago.

 

Senator Birkolz says things like grass clippings, once in a landfill, can help in producing more methane than normal garbage and faster.

 

Right now some landfills around West Michigan already turn methane gas into electricity.

 

Environmentalists aren't all on board with this new "green" plan though.

 

They say it will increase air pollution.

 

Senator Birkolz drew up a bill on the matter. She's taking it before a senate panel Tuesday.