April 14, 2014
Effort will help Michigan become leader in residential recycling
Monday, April 14, 2014
LANSING, Mich. – Gov. Rick Snyder today announced a statewide plan designed to increase residential recycling access statewide. He also announced appointments to a nine-member Michigan Recycling Council to guide the plan’s implementation.
In his November 2012 Special Message on Energy and the Environment, Snyder called on the Department of Environmental Quality to assemble a stakeholder group tasked with developing a plan. The governor presented his plan today during a tour of Clean Tech Inc., Michigan’s largest plastic bottle recycling plant, near Monroe.
“Michigan has a strong tradition of protecting and enhancing its environment,” Snyder said. “But when it comes to recycling, we must do better. Michigan trails other Great Lakes states and much of the nation in residential recycling. It’s a complex challenge but one that we can address. This plan puts us on the right path.”
Michigan’s recycling rate for residential household waste is about 15 percent. The national average is 35 percent. A recent study concluded more than $435 million in recyclable metal, glass, paper and plastics goes from Michigan households to Michigan landfills each year.
“States with healthy recycling programs have found that, in addition to reducing pressure on landfills and helping the environment, recycling creates jobs and opens markets for recovered materials,” Snyder said. “We’ve been throwing away money for decades. Addressing this issue is simply the right thing to do, and I am pleased to announce we are committed to making Michigan a recycling leader.”
The 15-point plan focuses on four key areas:
The DEQ drafted the plan in cooperation with 45 key stakeholders including recyclers, landfill operators, manufacturers, waste haulers, bottlers, grocery store operators and others.
“This plan represents a real breakthrough for the myriad interested stakeholders around recycling,” said Michigan DEQ Director Dan Wyant. “What we celebrate today is their leadership, our partnership and the sustained commitment from everyone to keep ‘Pure Michigan’ pure in the years ahead.”
The effort is supported by a $1 million appropriation in the governor’s recommended fiscal year 2015 budget, along with $500,000 in DEQ pollution prevention grants that will be committed to support local recycling programs over the next two years.
“The Michigan Recycling Coalition is pleased with the governor's leadership on this issue,” said Kerrin O’Brien, executive director of the Michigan Recycling Coalition. “This initiative recognizes that we can and should do more to fully achieve the economic and environmental rewards that a comprehensive residential recycling program will bring to Michigan.”
To learn more about residential recycling opportunities in Michigan or see Michigan’s plan, go to www.Michigan.gov/MIrecycles .
Appointees to the newly created Michigan Recycling Council are:
Michael Csapo, of Fenton, will represent the recycling community and is the general manager of Resource Recovery and Recycling Authority of Southwest Oakland County. He has worked as a staff and transportation planner for local governments, and as the assistant city manager of the village of Holly. Csapo holds a master’s degree in economics from Walsh College, a master’s of public administration and a bachelor’s in political science from the University of Michigan.
Jim Frey, of Detroit, will represent academics and consultants. He is CEO and co-founder of Resource Recycling Systems and has over 30 years of expertise in environmental program development both in public service and private enterprise. Frey holds an MBA from the University of Michigan, and a bachelor’s in public health from Grand Valley State University.
Linda Gobler, of Lansing, will represent the retailers on the council. She is president and CEO of the Michigan Grocers Association, where she has served in multiple capacities for the past 28 years. She previously served as a legislative analyst for the Michigan House of Representatives and as an administrator for the Greater Lansing Urban League. She earned a bachelor's degree in social sciences/social work from Michigan State University.
Jim Kulp, of Dexter, will represent the processors. He has worked 32 years with Plastipak Packaging, and currently is the Operations Manager for Clean Tech Inc., the state’s largest bottle recycling facility.
Bill Lobenherz, of Lansing, will represent the bottlers. He has served as the president of the Michigan Soft Drink Association for more than 25 years. He has also worked as an attorney for Dykema Gossett PLLC, as vice president of Wayne State University, the legal counsel for Michigan School Board Association, and as a drafter for the Legislative Service Bureau. Lobenherz has a law degree from Wayne State University and a bachelor’s of business administration from the University of Michigan.
Kerrin O’Brien, of East Lansing, will represent environmental interests. She is the executive director of the Michigan Recycling Coalition and has also worked as an independent consultant, executive director of the Mid-Michigan Environmental Action Council, resource recovery agent, and a grant coordinator. O’Brien holds a bachelor’s in social science, with an emphasis of environmental issues from Michigan State University.
Tonia Olson, of Lansing, will represent waste haulers, waste industry, and landfill owners and operators. She is the director of Governmental and Community Relations for Granger. She also chairs the Michigan Chamber Energy and Environment Committee. She has worked as a director of marketing and communications and as a recycling coordinator. Olson has a bachelor’s degree in resource development as well as agriculture and natural resource communications from Michigan State University.
Elisa Seltzer, of Levering, will represent public and community interests. She has been the public works director for Emmet County for 24 years. She has also worked as a curbside recycling coordinator and personnel coordinator for Recycle Ann Arbor. Seltzer has a bachelor’s degree in environmental education and advocacy.
Doug Wood, of Muskegon, will represent local government and regions. He is the director of the Kent County Department of Public Works. He has also worked as the executive vice president of ECH Recycling Inc., a project manager for a county resource recovery agency, the manager of a county waste-to-energy project, and as manager of the environmental health division of a county health department. Wood has a master’s of public health from the University of Minnesota and a bachelor’s of science in environmental health sciences from Ferris State University.
All members are appointed to a two-year term on the council.
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