Michigan Recycling Coalition

Over 250 compost enthusiasts attended the 2024 Great Michigan Compost Tour, a week-long series of compost facility tours, talks, and demonstrations that gave Michigan residents the opportunity to explore and learn about compost in their communities. During the week of September 16, twenty composting organizations hosted interactive tours to demonstrate how they create nutritious soil amendments while reducing the amount of organic waste that goes to Michigan landfills. Thanks to the dedicated host facilities and community members who made the third annual Great Michigan Compost Tour successful!

MRC Executive Director, Kerrin O’Brien recently spoke with more than 100 employees of Nemak, a global manufacturer and leading provider of lightweight, aluminum automotive components about the state of the global, interconnected recycling marketplace. Nemak understands the importance of recycling, as 63% of their throughput is recycled aluminum. During her presentation, Kerrin emphasized the importance of well-connected, robust recycling systems that harvest aluminum and other materials for reintroduction into manufacturing. Increasing the supply of aluminum commodities allows Nemak and other companies to continue bringing circularity to the automotive space. Thanks, Nemak, for engaging in thoughtful recycling discussions with the MRC!

This year’s boat shrink wrap recyclers went above and beyond! Over a hundred individuals, marinas, community leaders, and non-profits recycled 2,382 EZ-Fill Recycling Run Bags from Dr. Shrink, Inc. filled with used boat shrink wrap. These recycling efforts helped conserve an abundance of oil, energy, and landfill space that typically would have been used in the manufacturing and disposal of new plastics. Registration for the 2025 program will open in January. Join the Recycle Run mailing list, and we’ll let you know when and how to participate in Michigan’s official boat shrink wrap recycling program: https://lnkd.in/dGR6C-Xk

From September 23rd to the 25th, thirty sustainability-minded professionals attended Materials & Recycling Management Training at the Kent County Recycling & Education Center to network, learn how to set up sustainable and effective recycling programs, and plan for Michigan’s sustainable future. Participants toured the Kent County Recycling Center to learn how material recovery facilities bridge the gap between everyday recyclers and manufacturers around the globe, conducted a mock waste analysis so that they know what to look out for when establishing a recycling program, and engaged with expert-led presentations detailing the factors that businesses, communities, and individuals should consider when planning for sustainable materials management. Thanks to RRS (Resource Recycling Systems) for sponsoring this event! Follow us on social media to stay up-to-date on future training events that will help your organization, business, or community fit into Michigan’s growing materials management landscape.

Before attending MISCON and preparing your organization for a sustainable future, attend the NextCycle Fall Showcase to learn what’s coming next in Michigan’s circular economy. The Fall Showcase on October 2nd at the Suburban Collection Showplace, occurring the day before EGLE’s Michigan Sustainability Conference, features 15 teams from the public sector and recycling supply chain ready to show off their project pitches while competing for awards and bragging rights. Attend the event to engage with the next leaders of the circular economy and network with attendees representing sustainability-minded organizations and communities from around the state. Scan the QR code to secure your spot, or click here: https://lnkd.in/gV6f4MMS

Meet the fifteen dynamic teams participating in a pitch competition at the 2024 NextCycle Fall Showcase. This free event, occurring right before the Michigan Sustainability Conference, culminates six months of one-on-one mentoring to advance projects focused on material recovery, reuse, and recycling in Michigan. Each team participated in one of two accelerator tracks: Intergovernmental Initiatives and Public-Private Partnership (I2P3) track or the Recycling Supply Chain (RSC) track. Each team has five minutes to pitch their project's purpose and forecasted economic, environmental, and community impacts, followed by five minutes of questions from an expert judging panel. Join us on October 2nd at the Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi to interact with contestants and network with sustainability-minded organizations and municipalities. Click here to join us at this one-of-a-kind event: https://lnkd.in/gV6f4MMS 

Materials & Recycling Management Training dives deep into Michigan’s recycling industry while providing attendees with the resources and connections that they need to build lasting, sustainable programs. Spots are limited, so register today! https://lnkd.in/gKAZGpkm

Spots are limited for this interactive, three-day training event, so register today! Attend Materials & Management Training to learn about the history and development of materials management in Michigan, examine how materials management is environmentally and economically beneficial, and learn vital information about sustaining programs. Join us from September 23rd to the 25th at the Kent County Recycling Education Center for a unique, in-depth training experience that will prepare you for your place in Michigan’s circular economy. Scan the QR code or click here to register: https://lnkd.in/gKAZGpkm  

Passionate about #sustainability #recycling and #compost? We're #hiring two Training and Outreach Coordinators to join our team! See more about our two open positions here: https://lnkd.in/g93UP4x2

The MRC app has received some major updates just in time for the Great Michigan Compost Tour! The “Events” section can be found on the homepage. Click on “The Great Michigan Compost Tour”, then “Tours” to find a calendar listing important information about each tour. Add tours you're interested in directly to your phone’s calendar! If you don’t already have the app downloaded, search “Michigan Recycling Coalition” on either the IOS App Store or Google Play Store. Alternatively, you can find compost tours near you on our Facebook page under our Events tab. MRC members get even more app-related perks. Members can join groups for the committees and councils that they’re a part of and chat with like-minded MRC members working to accomplish recycling-related goals. Click here to learn more about MRC membership: https://lnkd.in/g_-W7J2F