Michigan Recycling Coalition

Michigan Recycling Coalition The Michigan Recycling Coalition fosters sustainability by leading, educating, and mobilizing to advance resource use and recovery in Michigan.

Congrats to Copper Country Recycling Initiative for winning a 2026 Michigan Recycling Coalition Award of Excellence! 🏆 T...
06/03/2026

Congrats to Copper Country Recycling Initiative for winning a 2026 Michigan Recycling Coalition Award of Excellence! 🏆

This incredible, volunteer-led organization serves Houghton and Keweenaw Counties at the northern most point of the U.P. These volunteers collaborate to accomplish a wide variety of tasks that support recycling in the region, including but not limited to: advocating for increased recycling and HHW access, organizing recycling tours for local officials, and facilitating collection for harder-to-recycle materials like e-waste, fishing line, and light bulbs.

Copper Country’s key to success? Educational programming. They’ve used social media as an outreach tool since 2016, and volunteers regularly share information about recycling opportunities at local events. These volunteers are advancing recycling in the U.P. and setting the stage for all recycling initiatives in Michigan to continue to grow and thrive.

We were proud to present this award to Jonathon Nagel, CCRI’s Executive Director, during the MRC’s 44th Annual Conference.

Congrats to Dale Mentor for winning a 2026 Michigan Recycling Coalition Award of Excellence! 🏆Dale has served the The Ci...
06/02/2026

Congrats to Dale Mentor for winning a 2026 Michigan Recycling Coalition Award of Excellence! 🏆

Dale has served the The City of Kalamazoo, Michigan as a driver for Republic Services for over 28 years. Since 2019, Dale’s led Republic’s curbside recycling service, hauling recyclables from 7,000 containers per week (which is close to 90% of the city’s single-family households).

Dale goes above and beyond with his service, especially when it comes to helping customers with accessibility challenges. You’ll often find Dale helping the elderly along his route, wheeling their carts back into the house after he picks up their recyclables.

Dale embraces every day with a positive attitude, and sets a high standard for safety practices, ensuring that Republic Services can continue to service a record number of containers. Dale is a great representation of the recycling industry, and knows Kalamazoo like the back of his hand. Plus, he’s a proud Marine Corps veteran, a reverend, and grandfather.

Thank you, Dale, for your leadership and work ethic!

Congrats to Renee Wallace for winning a 2026 Michigan Recycling Coalition Award of Excellence! 🏆When you’re in Renee's p...
06/01/2026

Congrats to Renee Wallace for winning a 2026 Michigan Recycling Coalition Award of Excellence! 🏆

When you’re in Renee's presence, it’s clear that she is passionate about compost. Renee leads Food PLUS Detroit's Peoples Compost Initiative, which supports infrastructure development, provides compost training, facilitates public education and events, and implements pilot projects.

At the state level, Renee serves as an application reviewer for NextCycle Michigan, also serving as a member of the DEI Team working to ensure equitable participation. In 2021, Renee was honored with the US Composting Council’s H. Clark Gregory Award for her role in grassroots compost leadership.

Through all of her work, Renee's aim is clear: to encourage residents and policymakers alike to embed compost into our lives. Through compost-fueled practices, Renee works to create an environment and culture of resourcefulness, resiliency, and positivity.

Thank you, Renee, for your work and dedication to composting!

Congrats to Recycle Ann Arbor for winning a 2026 Michigan Recycling Coalition Award of Excellence! 🏆Recycle Ann Arbor (R...
05/20/2026

Congrats to Recycle Ann Arbor for winning a 2026 Michigan Recycling Coalition Award of Excellence! 🏆

Recycle Ann Arbor (RAA) was founded in 1977, led by a few University of Michigan volunteers, who soon began collecting recyclables from households in Ann Arbor. This work marked the beginning of the country’s fourth ever curbside recycling program, and the first to ever launch in Michigan. As they approach their 50th anniversary, Recycle Ann Arbor's commitment to the mission is as strong as ever.

What's unique about RAA is its commitment to community-based, mission-driven recycling. As one of just a handful of nonprofit recyclers left in the country, and a co-founder of the of Mission-Based Recyclers, RAA keeps materials local and ensures they're marketed for their highest and best use.

For nearly five decades, RAA has invested millions in circularity infrastructure, implementing programs like a comprehensive drop-off station and a recovery yard for construction and demolition materials. In 2023, they purchased 17+ acres of property to develop into an EcoPark, which will provide community access to reusables, refillables, and repair opportunities.

We were proud to present this award to Bryan Ukena, CEO & Director of Recycle Ann Arbor, during the MRC’s 44th Annual Conference.

05/19/2026

That's a wrap on the MRC Conference! ♻️

Last week, hundreds of professionals in Michigan's circular economy gathered in Kalamazoo for the Michigan Recycling Coalition's 44th Annual Conference. This three-day event empowered attendees to learn, connect, and re-energize their passion for circularity. It was awesome!

Attendees enjoyed informative sessions, fun networking opportunities and a vibrant exhibit hall, and got up-close looks at the facilities and manufacturers that power sustainable materials management in the area. Thanks to the sponsors, speakers, exhibitors, and attendees that came together to make the 44th Annual Conference shine.

Look out for more snapshots of impactful moments that you may have missed at the MRC Conference!

Thanks to the Kalamazoo Valley Community College Food Innovation Center for hosting MRC Conference attendees during a Da...
05/12/2026

Thanks to the Kalamazoo Valley Community College Food Innovation Center for hosting MRC Conference attendees during a Day of Service event powered by compost & food waste diversion! ♻️🌱

Tina Dekker from Meijer delivered an insightful keynote at the MRC 44th Annual Conference.Informed by Meijer's perspecti...
05/12/2026

Tina Dekker from Meijer delivered an insightful keynote at the MRC 44th Annual Conference.

Informed by Meijer's perspective and history within Michigan's circular economy, Tina emphasized Meijer's commitment to sustainability and charted future directions in recycling, waste reduction, and food waste diversion.

Hope to see you all at the rest of the Conference! ♻️

Thanks for having us, Sebright Products!
05/12/2026

Thanks for having us, Sebright Products!

Food, drinks, and good conversation were the highlights of last night's Welcome Reception and Grub Crawl at the MRC Conf...
05/12/2026

Food, drinks, and good conversation were the highlights of last night's Welcome Reception and Grub Crawl at the MRC Conference. 🍸

Thanks, Resource Recycling Systems for sponsoring the reception, and Spurt Industries for sponsoring the Grub Crawl!

Today is the first day of the MRC Conference, and we kicked it off with facility tours! Attendees visited:- The City of...
05/11/2026

Today is the first day of the MRC Conference, and we kicked it off with facility tours!

Attendees visited:

- The City of Kalamazoo, Michigan household hazardous waste facility & organics management setup
- Schupan Asset Management & Manufacturing facilities
- Kalsec's compost facility
- Sebright Products, Inc. manufacturing
- Western Michigan University Paper Pilot Plant
- Biz Aid LLC - Recycling

We're looking forward to another two days of non-stop learning action ♻️

Address

602 W Ionia Street
Lansing, MI
48933

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

(517) 974-3672

Website

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