Our trash is better than yours

The CP reports on the imminent deadlines on any future disposal of Canadian waste in the U.S. But while there's not much surprise to hear the usual implausible claims of security problems, it's rather more so to see that Macomb County would rather take on a greater quantity of American waste than take in Canada's waste at its current rate:

Michigan municipality Macomb County has struck a deal with its landfill operator Waste Management Inc., that limits the amount of Canadian trash at the landfill to no more than 25 per cent of its total waste each year. In return, the company can expand its landfill and extend its lifespan by 20 years.

The plan needs the approval of two-thirds of the county's cities and towns. Macomb County receives more than 40 per cent of the Canadian trash shipped to Michigan each year.

The long-term effect for Canada actually may not be such a bad one to the extent that it may push Ontario to better manage its own waste. But in the meantime, it's hard to imagine a more pointless exercise in nationalism than this.