Can You Legally Throw Out Biodegradable Items From Your Car In Michigan?

There are several things I see my fellow Michigan drivers do that drive me nuts.

For example people that don't know how to properly zipper merge, or people on the highway that sit in the left lane and hold up traffic.

via GIPHY

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Another thing is people who toss cigarette butts into the road.

Not only are cigarettes gross, but according to EarthDay.org cigarette filters can take up to 10 years to completely degrade, the chemicals they release can remain in the environment for many more years beyond the life of the cigarette butt itself.

But what about other things that are actually Biodegradable? Can you toss them out?

Can You Legally Throw Out Biodegradable Items From Your Car In Michigan?

Throwing any kind of litter, including fruit peels, out of a car window is considered littering in Michigan and is against the law.

The Michigan Vehicle Code specifically states that it is illegal to "throw or deposit litter upon any highway, road, street, alley, or other public or private property, or waters" from a vehicle.

Littering in Michigan, even of small items like fruit peels, can result in fines up to $500.

Biodegradable items like fruit peels are still considered litter and are not exempt from the law.

They can take months to decompose and can attract animals to the roadside, which can be dangerous.

I have to admit, I never gave it any thought that tossing a piece of eaten fruit out of the car could be dangerous but it does make sense.

Bottom line, if you have something you want to get rid of just wait until you stop your car and dispose of it in the proper bin.