General Summary
Service on the Board of Directors of the Michigan Recycling Coalition (MRC) is both an honor and a privilege, carrying with it implicit duties, responsibilities, and commitments. The role of a board member is to ensure that the mission of the MRC is carried out. Board members will assist officers in overseeing the health and direction of the MRC and agree to work with other board members as a team player, dedicated to the overall well being of the Coalition as the primary objective. Serve as a resource of knowledge and counsel to the executive office, committees, and other board members and respect and support staff in carrying out the direction of the board.
All Directors of the Board must:
- Attend all MRC Board Meetings. Formal notification should be given to the Secretary or Chairperson of the Board at least 24 hours in advance if you are unable to attend. The Board meets every month, usually on the second Monday (excluding May and July).
- Be actively involved in at least one committee of the Coalition.
- Attend the Annual Conference of the Coalition and other events of the Coalition.
- Actively participate in individual and corporate fundraising efforts on behalf of the Coalition, as outlined in the Coalitions annual funding goals.
- Be responsible for finding new members for the Coalition, in accordance with the Coalition's annual membership goals.
- Assist with speaking engagements, testimony, and other high profile activities of the Coalition.
- Agree to provide other support services as necessary in the service of the Coalition.
- Be an up-to-date, voting member of the Coalition.
- Attend any annual retreat of the MRC.
- Participate actively in organizational strategic planning.
Chair: Chief elected officer of the MRC.
- Ensure that the MRC abides by its bylaws and established policies.
- Serve as chairperson of the Board of Directors Executive Committee.
- Preside over all meetings of the Board of Directors and the Executive Committee, and the annual retreat of the MRC.
- Support the Executive Director.
- Prepare agendas for all meetings of the Board of Directors in collaboration with the Executive Director.
- Report to the membership.
- Represent the MRC to other organizations, the media, and the public at large.
- Appoint committee chairpersons.
- Receive reports from all officers and committees.
- Review communications, reports, and proposals of the staff.
Vice Chair: Assume the role of the chair if the Chair is no longer able to continue.
- Perform the responsibilities of the Chair during absence or disability of the Chair.
- Accede to the chair position in the event that a permanent vacancy in the chair position arises.
- Serve as a voting member of the Board of Directors and the Executive Committee.
- Familiarize self with the responsibilities of Chair, the activities of the MRC, and functions of the executive officers.
- Assist the Chair as appropriate.
- Represent the MRC at the request of the Chair.
Secretary: Custodian of records for the MRC
- Oversee the keeping of records of meetings, policies, activities, membership, and any others required by law.
- Oversee the minutes of all meetings and teleconferences of the Board of Directors and Executive Committee, as well as the annual retreat.
- Within 30 days after a meeting, provide the Board of Directors with minutes, including a list of motions and the voting results.
- Review the policies of the MRC and present to the Board any policies, which may need to be amended, rescinded, or reaffirmed.
- Serve as a voting member of the Board of Directors and the Executive Committee.
- Assist the Chair as appropriate.
- Represent the MRC at the request of the Chair.
Treasurer: Monitors and reports financial condition of the MRC.
- Oversee, with the Executive Director, the fiscal affairs of the MRC.
- Present to the Board of Directors an annual budget for the organization, developed in concert with the Executive Director.
- Monitor budgetary performance of the MRC, recommending modifications as needed.
- Review for approval all actions and policies with major financial implications.
- Serve as a voting member of the Board of Directors and the Executive Committee.
- Assist the Chair as appropriate.
- Represent the MRC at the request of the Chair.
Purpose of the Code of Conduct
To carry out the Michigan Recycling Coalition's Bylaws by aligning the organizational mission, values, and practices with guidelines that set standards of professional conduct within the MRC Board and committee structure.
The Michigan Recycling Coalition is an alliance of public and private stakeholders engaged in accomplishing the mission of the organization. Coalition members represent service providers, local, regional, and state governments, nonprofit organizations, institutions, and more. To assure the work and meetings of the Coalition are conducted in the inclusive manner intended by MRC's Bylaws and its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion statement, the MRC is setting forth this Code of Conduct to provide guidelines for MRC Board, Committee, and member engagement. These guidelines are designed to assure that space is provided for everyone to engage in productive conversations about sometimes challenging issues that face the organization and its members. We are all responsible to maintain this inclusive space.
Goals
In our work together, each of us represents a different perspective, culture, passion, or sector of the industry. While we all are united in our mission, we have many and sometimes diverse goals, including, but not limited to:
- Using and reusing resources to their highest and best use
- Economic viability
- Environmental compliance and protection
- Accomplishing sustainability goals and objectives
- Meeting needs for service provision
- Being aligned with materials management plans
- Being in accordance with the MRC mission
We must work to:
- Create a foundation and culture of diversity, equity, inclusion, and respect throughout all MRC work
- Provide opportunities to build awareness and understanding around a diverse array of industry-related perspectives, experiences, needs, and concerns, in a respectful and inclusive forum.
Personal Responsibility, Accountability, and Conduct
In our work together, we must stay informed informed about relevant matters affecting the committee's business, listen and participate actively, and work cooperatively with other committee members and MRC staff. Inclusivity requires us to also be non-judgmental in language and attitude, open to possibilities in conversation, respectful land welcoming of differing viewpoints, avoid personal biases as committees exist and operate within a professional industry setting, and to address issues as they arise.
Leading for Inclusion
As a leader in the Michigan Recycling Coalition, it is your duty to provide an appropriate space for all members to contribute to the creation of meaningful conversations that lead to the development of solutions to the issues of the day. Accomplish this by welcoming all contributors, providing time for introductions, setting the stage by opening the meeting with a simple reminder, "We are here to achieve the mission of the Michigan Recycling Coalition and diversity is key to success. If you've chosen to be here, your perspective is valued and your input is crucial to the accomplishment of our collective goals," and facilitating the meeting to maintain inclusion and productive conversation.
Michigan Recycling Coalition Bylaws Section 5.4 Diversity
The MRC is committed to diversity in all aspects of its business, activities, and at all levels, including the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors encourages MRC members to consider diversity when nominating individuals for member director positions. In selecting nominees for director positions, the Board considers gender, race, and ethnic diversity, among other factors.
Michigan Recycling Coalition members and leaders agree to adhere to the following principles:
- Equity and Justice
People are to be treated fairly and will not be discriminated against, abused, or exploited. Justice is concerned with power sharing and preventing the abuse of power. In a just community, all members can access opportunities that allow for their full participation in that community. - Respect for People
People should be treated as individuals with rights to be honored and defended. Respect empowers others to claim their rights and to achieve their potential. Respect for the rights of other people is the basis on which individuals become members of a "community" and accept their social responsibilities to behave with integrity. Membership of a community means that individuals not only have rights but also duties and responsibilities to others to engage openly and honestly. Demonstrating respect for persons requires, for example, dealing with disagreements by reasoned argument rather than by using language (word, style, and tone) that have the effect of attacking or demeaning the listener. - Personal and Professional Responsibility
The principle of taking personal and professional responsibility requires not only that people avoid doing harm to others but also that they exhibit courteous behavior, upholding the standards expected of all members of the MRC community, regardless of representation, as part of achieving a common good. In so doing, they are expected to protect the rights of others and respect the diversity of cultures and peoples. This principle involves stewardship of assets, resources, and the environment.
The Michigan Recycling Coalition Board of Directors believes that we can work together most effectively when:
- Our character, actions, and sense of purpose are aligned with our collective mission.
- We welcome and celebrate differences and make space for all members to be engaged and invested, sharing power and responsibility for the organization's mission and the work of the Coalition.
- We believe our coalition can better achieve its mission by drawing on the nature, skills, talents, and perspectives of a broad and diverse range of leaders.
- We are aware of how systemic inequities have affected our industry and society, and are committed to the advancement of the public good.
- The diversity of viewpoints that comes from different employers, positions, life experiences, and cultural backgrounds is seen as strengthening board and committee deliberation and decision-making.
- We recognize and acknowledge that the diversity we embody is what makes this organization distinctive and unique.
- We engage with the intention to honor the contributions of all members - it resonates with stakeholders and draws members and constituencies to join and engage with the organization.
- The MRC actively supports its members and constituencies to authentically engage in the work of the Coalition as they also work to accomplish their own goals.
- Purpose
- Identify trends & needs
- Chart new territory
- Make recommendations to staff and board
- Expand the bandwidth of staff
- Foster collaboration between peers
- Principles
- Mission-focused
- MRC Values side-by-side with mission
- Adhere to (focus on) purpose
- Ground rules for member/organization engagement
- Code of conduct
- Mutual respect
- Remain objective
- Be inclusive
- Avoid conflicts of interest
- Participants
- Right fit for the committee
- Diverse stakeholders
- Recruit new members
- MRC to take a hard look at who is wanted as members
- Members may not always align with mission/others, how do they fit?
- Structure
- Good chair
- Guidelines, schedule, purpose
- Meeting agenda
- Follow-up
- Don't try to be everything to everyone
- Practices
- Establish goals/expectations of committee annually - Who & How?
- Is there need for a new committee? - non-traditional materials committee?
Purpose:
The purpose of the conflict of interest policy is to protect the Michigan Recycling Coalition's tax-exempt interest when it is contemplating entering into a transaction or arrangement that might benefit the private interest of an officer or director of the Organization or might result in a possible excess benefit transaction. This policy is intended to supplement but not replace any applicable state and federal laws governing conflict of interest applicable to nonprofit and charitable organizations.
Definitions:
1. Interested Person
Any director, principal officer, or member of a committee with governing board delegated powers, who has a direct or indirect financial interest, as defined below, is an interested person.
2. Financial Interest
A person has a financial interest if the person has, directly or indirectly, through business, investment, or family:
a. An ownership or investment interest in any entity with which the Michigan Recycling Coalition has a transaction or arrangement
b. A compensation arrangement with the Michigan Recycling Coalition or with any entity or individual with which the Michigan Recycling Coalition has a transaction or arrangement, or
c. A potential ownership or investment interest in, or compensation agreement with, any entity or individual with which the Michigan Recycling Coalition is negotiating a transaction or arrangement.
Compensation includes direct and indirect remuneration as well as gifts or favors that are not insubstantial.
A financial interest is not necessarily a conflict of interest. Under Article III, Section 2, a person who has a financial interest may have a conflict of interest only if the appropriate governing board or committee decides that a conflict of interest exists.
Procedures:
1. Duty to Disclose
In connection with any actual or possible conflict of interest, an interested person must disclose the existence of the financial interest and be given the opportunity to disclose all material facts to the directors and members of the committee with governing board delegated powers considering the proposed transaction or arrangement.
2. Determining whether a Conflict of Interest Exists
After disclosure of the financial interest and all material facts, and after any discussion with the interested person, he/she shall leave the governing board or committee meeting, while the determination of a conflict of interest is discussed and voted upon. The remaining board or committee members shall decide if a conflict of interest exists.
3. Procedures for Addressing the Conflict of Interest
a. An interested person may make a presentation at the governing board or committee meeting, but after the presentation, he/she shall leave the meeting during the discussion of, and the vote on, the transaction or arrangement involving the possible conflict of interest.
b. The chairperson of the governing board or committee shall, if appropriate, appoint a disinterested person or committee to investigate alternatives to the proposed transaction or arrangement.
c. After exercising due diligence, the governing board or committee shall determine whether the Michigan Recycling Coalition can obtain with reasonable efforts a more advantageous transaction or arrangement from a person or entity that would not give rise to a conflict of interest.
d. If a more advantageous transaction or arrangement is not reasonably possible under circumstances not producing a conflict of interest, the governing board or committee shall determine by majority vote of the disinterested directors whether the transaction or arrangement is in the Michigan Recycling Coalition's best interest, for its own benefit, and whether it is fair and reasonable. In conformity with the above determination it shall make its decision as to whether to enter into the transaction or arrangement.
4. Violations of the Conflict of Interest Policy
a. If the governing board or committee has reasonable cause to believe a member has failed to disclose the actual or possible conflicts of interest, it shall inform the member of the basis for such a belief and afford the member an opportunity to explain the alleged failure to disclose.
b. If, after hearing the member's response and after making further investigation as warranted by the circumstances, the governing board or committee determines the member has failed to disclose an actual or possible conflict of interest, it shall take appropriate disciplinary and corrective action.
Records of Proceedings
The minutes of the governing board and all committees with board delegated powers shall contain:
a. The names of the persons who disclosed or otherwise were found to have a financial interest in connection with an actual or possible conflict of interest, the nature of the financial interest, any action taken to determine whether a conflict of interest was present, and the governing board's committee's decision as to whether the conflict of interest in fact existed.
b. The names of the persons who were present for discussions and votes relating to the transaction or arrangement, the content of the discussion, including any alternatives to the proposed transaction or arrangement, and a record of any votes taken in connection with the proceedings.
Compensation
a. A voting member of the governing board who receives compensation, directly or indirectly, from the Michigan Recycling Coalition for services is precluded from voting on matters pertaining to that member's compensation.
b. A voting member of any committee whose jurisdiction includes compensation matters and who receives compensation, directly or indirectly, from the Michigan Recycling Coalition for services is precluded from voting on matters pertaining to that member's compensation.
c. No voting member of the governing board or any committee whose jurisdiction includes compensation matters and who receives compensation, directly or indirectly, from the Michigan Recycling Coalition, either individually or collectively, is prohibited from providing information to any committee regarding compensation.
Annual Statements
Each director, principal officer, and member of a committee with governing board delegated powers shall annually sign a statement which affirms such person:
a. Has received a copy of the conflicts of interest policy,
b. Has read and understands the policy,
c. Has agreed to comply with the policy, and
d. Understands the Organization is charitable and in order to maintain its federal tax exemption it must engage primarily in activities which accomplish one or more of its tax-exempt purposes.
Periodic Reviews
To ensure the Michigan Recycling Coalition operates in a matter consistent with charitable purposes and does not engage in activities that could jeopardize its tax-exempt status, periodic reviews shall be conducted. The periodic reviews shall, at a minimum, include the following subjects:
a. Whether compensation arrangements and benefits are reasonable, based on competent survey information, and the result of arm's length bargaining.
b. Whether partnerships, joint ventures, and arrangements with management organizations conform to the Michigan Recycling Coalition's written policies, are properly recorded, reflect reasonable investment or payments for goods and services, further charitable purposes, and do not result in inurement, impermissible private benefit, or in an excess benefit transaction.
Use of Outside Experts
When conducting the periodic reviews as provided in article VII, the Michigan Recycling Coalition may, but need not, use outside advisers. If outside experts are used, their use shall not relieve the governing board of its responsibility for ensuring periodic reviews are conducted.
Michigan has adopted legislation satisfying the requirements of section 508(e) relating to private foundation governing instruments.
Information derived from Revenue Ruling 75-38, 1975-1 C. B. 161.
Fundraising is a key activity of any nonprofit board of directors, and the Michigan Recycling Coalition is no exception. Several key functions of the MRC include fundraising elements and opportunities. Increasing membership, attracting sponsors and exhibitors to the annual conference, and soliciting items for conference auction are all ways to encourage participation in the organization and raise funds for continuing our work in promoting resource use and recovery in Michigan. Board members are expected to use their connections to spur interest in and support of the Michigan Recycling Coalition. Here are some ways you can fulfill your time and monetary responsibilities of the MRC Board of Directors:
- Make an annual personal/professional financial contribution(s) to the MRC
- Solicit sponsors and exhibitors for the MRC annual conference
- Solicit valuable items for the annual conference auction and raffle
- Encourage membership and contributions from friends, family, and colleagues
- Provide contact information and mailing lists of potential MRC contributors to staff for follow-up
- Donate time and/or in-kind resources to the benefit of specific committees and programs, i.e.
- Provide waste assessment services to certify recyclers
- Follow up on award nominees
- Assist staff in making direct asks from potential large donors and supporters
- Promote MRC's mission and work to friends, family, and colleagues whenever possible
Fundraising responsibilities of nonprofit boards often include creating the strategic fundraising plan for the organization, as well as assisting staff to achieve annual goals. Nonprofit boards that have effective fundraising plans are often comprised of directors that make personal financial contributions each year. In order to persuade others to give to the organizations, the board of directors must set the example by being contributors themselves to show their dedication and commitment to the mission.
Additionally, the MRC has many annual events in which to invite current and potential sponsors, donors, and members to enjoy. MRC board members have fundraising responsibilities to help the event be successful at raising as much money as possible to not only offset the costs of the event but to raise money for future programming. MRC board members are expected to pay registration fees and attend MRC events throughout the year and invite colleagues and friends to join them. They are expected to help promote events and to help secure necessary items such as venues and help the organization to get discounts on relevant services such as photographers and printing. If the event has additional methods of fundraising, such as raffle drawings and auctions, nonprofit board members can also be responsible for selling raffle tickets and securing donated raffle and auction items.
Fundraising responsibilities of nonprofit boards also include making direct asks of potential and current donors. Acquiring major sponsors and gifts can require time and cultivation of donors before they decide to make a large gift to a nonprofit organization. Nonprofit board members should use their position and connections in the community and corporate arenas to locate individuals and companies that may have an interest in the organization. They are responsible for identifying potential donors and providing them with information on the organization's mission, programs and services, and answering any questions donors may have. Board members usually ask for specific amounts from donors to ensure that adequate funding is received for a particular department or purpose. And MRC staff will often take the lead and will provide you with all the tools you need to make the ask.
June
IN PERSON
MONDAY, June 12, 2023
602 W. Ionia St. Lansing
July
NO MEETING
August
BOARD FORWARD
Wednesday, August 9-10, 2023
Location: Ralph A. MacMullan Conference Center
September
VIRTUAL (see calendar for link)
MONDAY, September 11, 2023
10:30-1:00 Board
October
VIRTUAL (see calendar for link)
MONDAY, October 9, 2023
10:30-1:00 Board
November
VIRTUAL (see calendar for link)
MONDAY, November 13, 2023
10:30-1:00 Board
December - Location TBA
IN PERSON
MONDAY, December 11, 2023
10:30-1:00 Board
January
VIRTUAL (see calendar for link)
MONDAY, January 8, 2024
10:30-1:00 Board
February
VIRTUAL (see calendar for link)
MONDAY, February 12, 2024
10:30-1:00 Board
March
VIRTUAL (see calendar for link)
MONDAY, March 11, 2024
10:30-1:00 Board
April
VIRTUAL (see calendar for link)
MONDAY, April 8, 2022
10:30-1:00 Board
MRC 42nd Annual Conference
May TBD
Location TBD
Board Elections
Meetings subject to change - please contact MRC office or Committee Chair for details.
Board of Directors
Contact List
May 2023-2024
Nick Carlson
Government/Nonprofit
Brad Austin
Government/Nonprofit 19-22
Marquette County SWMA
600 County Rd. NP
Marquette, MI 49855
Cell: (906) 458-0893
Phone: (906) 249-4125 x305
directorrecycle906@gmail.com
Tim Botzau
Government/Nonprofit 20-23
City of Bay City
301 Washington Ave.
Bay City, MI 48708
Cell: (989) 225-2016
Phone: (989) 894-8314
tbotzau@baycitymi.org
Scott Cabauatan
Business 21-24
Republic Services
5400 Cogswell
Wayne, MI 48184
Cell: (734) 564-9722
scabauatan@republicservices.com
Nick Carlson
At-Large 19-22
Goodwill of Greater Grand Rapids
3035 Prairie St. SW
Grandville, MI 49418
Phone: (616) 532-4200 x1121
ncarlson@goodwillgr.org
Natalie Jakub
Government/Nonprofit 21-24
Green Living Science
1331 Holden St.
Detroit, MI 48202
Phone: (313) 871-4000 x3
natalie@greenlivingscience.org
Justin Jungman
Business 20-22
PADNOS
49376 Seven Mile Rd.
Northville, MI 48167
Cell: (248) 444-9755
Phone: (616) 396-6521
justin.jungman@padnos.com
Steve Kent
Business 21-24
Pratt Industries
4443 Irene Dr.
St. Clair, MI 48079
Cell: (810) 689-0489
skent@prattindustries.com
Jeff Krcmarik
Government/Nonprofit 21-24
MI Dept. of Environment, Great Lakes, & Energy
350 Ottawa Ave. NW
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Cell: (734) 320-0082
krcmarikj@michigan.gov
Rick Lombardo
At-Large 21-24
Natur-Tec
PO Box 244
Haslett, MI 48840
Cell: (517) 230-5995
rlombardo@ntic.com
Kate Melby
Government/Nonprofit 21-24
Emmet County Recycling
200 Division St. Ste G76
Cell: (231) 373-4275
kmelby@emmetcounty.org
Tracy Purrenhage
Business 20-23
Battery Solutions
903 N. Vermont Ave.
Royal Oak, MI 48067
Cell: (248) 217-6855
Phone: (248) 446-5628
Libby Rice
Business 21-24
Dart Container Corporation
500 Hogsback Rd.
Mason, MI 48854
Phone: (616) 581-4698
libby.rice@dart.biz
Dave Smith
Government/Nonprofit 21-24
MSU Surplus & Recycling
468 Green Way
East Lansing, MI 48824
Cell: (517) 230-3817
Phone: (517) 884-0941
smith86@msu.edu
Bill Whitley
Business 20-23
Spurt Industries
PO Box 930818
Wixom, MI 48393
Cell: (586) 899-7500
bill@spurtindustries.com
Michigan Recycling Coalition
Physical 602 W. Ionia St., Lansing, MI 48933
Mailing: PO Box 10070 Lansing, MI 48901
Office: (517) 974-3672
STAFF
Kerrin O'Brien
Executive Director
Cell: (517) 420-6725
kobrien@michiganrecycles.org
Kelly Schalter
Program Manager
Cell: (517) 285-2857
kschalter@michiganrecycles.org
Katie Fournier
Project Coordinator
Cell: (989) 780-7456
kfournier@michiganrecycles.org
Terri Raterink
Administrator
Cell: (517) 449-1733
traterink@michiganrecycles.org
🎓 Education
- Monitor education needs and activities that impact recycling & materials management in Michigan
- Explore opportunities for new or enhanced MRC-facilitated education opportunities
- Review and refine existing MRC educational programs for promotion and use by members
- Explore, identify, and potentially develop or recommend additional educational curricula, tools, resources, and opportunities to meet professional needs
- Establish and communicate MRC's vision for continuing education beyond existing means
🏛️ Policy
- Monitor & research recycling issues & legislation
- Provide background and make recommendations for policy positions, platforms, & board action
- Develop substance for internal & external legislative communications
- Raise awareness of new & existing lawmakers about recycling & MRC
- Represent MRC & issues to state departments
♻️ Recycle, MI
- Develops and promotes the Recycle, MI campaign
- Raises awareness of and participation in recycling programs across Michigan
- Markets & sells MRC products & services
- Creates & implements Recycle, MI Partner Program & Recycle, MI Individual Supporter Program
📌 Regional Outreach
- Research the needs of different regions of the state.
- Bring the work of the MRC into communities
- Work with MRC regional directors to ensure meetings are happening regularly and are productive in addressing local issues and bringing MRC message to different regions of the state.
🌱 Michigan Organics Council
- Provide leadership in the field & represent Michigan organics businesses
- Facilitate trainings & host regular meetings
- Monitor legislative and regulatory activity & make recommendations to the board
*This committee is run a little differently with its own strategic plan and leadership structure
🗓️ Conference
- Evaluate, plan, & implement a dynamic annual conference
- Promote the conference & increase attendance
MRC Employee Handbook
Contains personnel policies for all MRC staff. Updated & approved by board on October 9, 2023.
Executive Director Policy Authorization
Passed by the Board March 2, 2011
The Executive Director of the Michigan Recycling Coalition is authorized by the MRC Board of Directors to provide advice, comment, and testimony on proposed legislation for which a position has been established through a Board-adopted resolution or policy statement. In the absence of a specific Board-adopted resolution or policy statement, the Executive Director may nevertheless provide such advice, comment, and testimony if, upon consultation with the MRC Board Chairpersons or the MRC Policy Committee Chairperson, that comment and testimony is consistent with the MRC Bylaws, the MRC Strategic Plan, the MRC Mission Statement, or other MRC precedent.
Role of the Executive Director
Read the full role description here...
The MRC is a 501(c)3 Nonprofit
Here is our nonprofit letter from the IRS.
History & Information about the MRC
Financials
August 2022 Financials
September 2022 Financials
October 2022 Financials
November 2022 Financials
December 2022 Financials
January 2023 Financials
February 2023 Financials
March 2023 Financials
Minutes
Board Forward 2021
June 2021 Minutes
September 2021 Minutes
October 2021 Minutes
November 2021 Minutes
December 2021 Minutes
January 2022 Minutes
February 2022 Minutes
Board Meetings - 2020-2021
Minutes
Board Forward 2019
June 2020 Minutes
September 2020 Minutes
October 2020 Minutes
November 2020 Minutes
December 2020 Minutes
January 2021 Minutes
February 2021 Minutes
March 2021 Minutes
April 2021 Minutes
Summary of board decisions through the years
In case you don't want to read read through all the minutes.
MRC Policy Positions
MRC Policy Resolution Process:
An MRC Policy Resolution is a formal statement of a decision, position, or expression of opinion regarding environmental policy in Michigan. Resolution may be general or specific concerning laws, practices, techniques, and theories that may affect the environment, relate to recycling and waste management, and support the MRC mission stattement.
Who can submit a resolution for consideration?
Any member in good standing in the MRC may submit in writing a proposed MRC policy resolution for consideration.
How to submit a resolution:
All proposed resolutions must be submitted to the Policy Committee for review. Proposed policy resolutions will be reviewed at the next Policy Committee meeting. The Chair of the Policy Committee may call a special meeting or refer directly to the Board of Directors a resolution which may warrant immediate action.
How a decision is reached:
The Policy Committee may draft language for the proposed resolution. Each draft resolution which receives 2/3 endorsement of the Policy Committee members voting will be submitted to the Board of Directors for consideration. A draft resolution becomes a policy of the MRC when passed by a 2/3 vote of the Board. A resolution that is not approved may be resubmitted to the Policy Committee with additional information. The Policy Committee may also submit white papers for Board review.
Whereas, the Michigan Recycling Coalition in its 2011 State of Recycling in Michigan: A Way Forward, called for state-level leadership and investment so that Michigan can fully benefit from the economic and environmental returns recycling can yield;
Whereas, the State of Michigan has led two wide-ranging stakeholder groups to develop a series of recommendations aimed at tripling the state's recycling rate, updating Michigan's solid waste statute, and providing required funding for these endeavors;
Whereas, Michigan's recycling rage is one of the lowest in the nation at 15% and over $368 million of valuable, recyclable materials are buried in Michigan landfills each year;
Whereas, sustainable, long-term funding for county solid waste planning, implementation, and management is essential for protecting the environment and making productive use of materials at the end of their useful life;
Whereas, stakeholders are moving away from "solid waste planning management" and toward "sustainable materials management," these new initiatives will be designated as Sustainable Materials Management Plans and programming will reflect the shift in priorities to increase the productive use of resources and reduce waste;
Whereas, many Michigan communities have benefited from funding to support sustainable materials management programs and infrastructure, more communities are ready to take their next step to manage materials more productively;
Whereas, to derive the maximum economic benefit for Michigan communities and businesses from the recycling of these materials, active development of more markets for recycled commodities in Michigan is needed;
Whereas, the Governor's office has introduced a proposal to increase Michigan's surcharge on landfill tip fees to provide the $24 million a year necessary for recycling and sustainable materials management programs by providing financial support to local entities aimed at:
- Federal and state-mandated materials management planning,
- Developing markets for recycled commodities,
- Recycling infrastructure development, and
- Education to help residents use recycling systems effectively;
Whereas, Michigan's solid waste tip fees and recycling rates are the lowest in the Midwest at $.36 per ton (2,000 pounds) and 15% recycling rate, with neighboring states' rates as follows,
- Wisconsin's $13.00 per ton | 43% recycling rate
- Pennsylvania's $6.25 per ton | 35% recycling rate
- Ohio's $4.75 per ton | 25% recycling rate
- Indiana's $.50 per ton | 17% recycling rate
Whereas, the State of Michigan has not and cannot call for an update to County Solid Waste Management Plans without the funding for counties to do so. Funding would allow the state to call for new materials management plans from counties;
Whereas, funding would help support effective, efficient development of county, municipality, and township recycling and composting programs;
Whereas, funding would support the effective and regular delivery of recycling information and education crucial to the collection of high-quality recyclable materials, valued by processors and manufacturers;
Whereas, the Michigan Recycling Coalition in its 2011 State of Recycling in Michigan: A Way Forward, identified funding as a key issue and mechanisms such as a landfill surcharge, a transaction fee, the general fund, and the Deposit Law escheats fund to generate needed funding;
Accordingly, it is hereby resolved that the Michigan Recycling Coalition supports the Governor's and other legislative proposals to identify and generate the funding required to invest in recycling and sustainable materials management planning.
Adopted by the Michigan Recycling Coalition Board of Directors in August 2018.
"Michigan recognizes solid waste as a resource...[and] will facilitate waste management options...by educating its citizenry about the options available to avoid waste generation, furthering the development of infrastructure to reuse and recycle wastes, and ensuring Michigan citizens have access to appropriately priced processing and disposal options. Additionally, sufficient data and information will be provided so that individuals can make proper choices...
It is important that Michigan develop the infrastructure necessary to utilize wastes by converting them into resources." (Michigan Solid Waste Policy - 2007, p.6)
The Preceding statement is an excerpt from the Michigan Solid Waste Policy - 2007 (the Policy). It informs this document, which identifies the elements of a comprehensive statewide recycling program that should be facilitated by a statewide funding approach. It is organized according to broad categories for which funding is a priority. Included under each category are supporting elements that are excerpted directly from the Policy. The supporting elements are intended to be brief, understanding that more detailed action items would be developed in conjunction with authorizing legislation. This recommendation should be considered a framework for funding. It is also important to note that this recommendation is irrespective of the method with which revenue could be raised on a statewide basis.
In brief, the categories identified for funding are as follows:
- Measurement and Data Collection
- Education and Technical Assistance
- Community Services and Infrastructure
- Market and Economic Development
- County Planning
- State Solid Waste Policy Administration
This document was developed by the Michigan Recycling Coalition's Policy Committee for consideration by the MRC Membership and the MRC Board of Directors and was adopted by the MRC Board at its Regular Meeting on February 8, 2010.
The MRC Policy Committee is comprised of public and private sector members from across the state. In addition to the Policy itself, Policy Committee members considered information from a variety of sources as it is developed in this document. Such information included, but is not limited to, the following:
- Priorities identified at the MRC Recycling Summit, convened in March of 2009 with MRC Members representing recycling businesses, industry, state and local governments, and nonprofit organizations across the state.
- Comments and statements made by MRC Members at the MRC Fall Into Recycling event, held November 2009.
- Comments provided by MRC Members via the MRC listserv.
- The Michigan Department of Quality report entitled," Recommendations for Expanding Recycling in Michigan," February 2005.
- The MDEQ Solid Wastes Alternative Program Report, undated.
- "Expanding Recycling in Michigan," prepared by Public Sector Consultants, Inc., April 2006.
Measurement and Data Collection
Funds to characterize and measure waste and waste utilization in Michigan to benchmark progress and materials; accurate inventories of entities involved in the collection, processing and utilization of waste. Use of the data includes the bi-annual evaluation of all of the programs developed as a consequence of the State Solid Waste Policy.
- Develop and implement an effective and efficient data collection [and reporting] system for measuring [and reporting] solid waste generation, reduction, utilization, and disposal (p. 19).
Education and Technical Assistance
Funds to support the development and delivery of consistent statewide information, education, and messaging regarding recycling and litter prevention.
- Provide information to citizens, businesses, governments, and other organizations on why and how to reduce waste generation (p. 7)
- Provide information and technical assistance to citizens, businesses, governments, and other organizations on why and how to utilize waste. (p. 9)
- Facilitate access to accurate and easy-to-use information about the consequences of alternative choices. (p. 17)
- Expand and improve [local and regional] information and education programs. (p. 17)
Community Services and Infrastructure
Funds to be distributed to local units of government and nongovernmental entities for operation of benchmark recycling and waste diversion programs; which include minimum service levels and data reporting and education requirements.
- Ensure that all Michigan citizens have convenient access to residential recycling programs by 2012 (p. 9)
- Facilitate and expand opportunities for collection and management of household hazardous wastes, construction and demolition wastes, organics, pharmaceuticals, and other special wastes. (p. 9)
- Local (regional, county, and municipal) units of government are primarily responsible for the delivery of services to citizens. (p. 13)
- It is important to note that MSW includes residentially and commercially generated wastes. (p. 10)
Market and Economic Development
Funds granted for the research, development, and demonstration of recycling markets and new technologies and methodologies in the industry. As well as, technical and economic development assistance, business development loans and matching grants to increase the use of recycled materials in manufacturing, and waste assessment services to governmental and nongovernmental entities.
- Encourage research and development to share and commercialize technologies and practices that generate less waste. (p. 7)
- Collaborate in regional and national efforts to encourage manufacturing and distribution systems to facilitate waste utilization. (p. 9)
- Support the development of markets for recycled materials. (p. 9)
- Support the beneficial reuse of utility, commercial, and industrial byproducts. (p. 9)
- Identify local and statewide opportunities for improvement in waste utilization capacity and promote the development of infrastructure and Michigan markets to meet those needs (p. 11).
- Encourage coordinated actions by groups of communities or industries in researching, developing, and sharing technologies in order to take advantage of economies of scale and utilize their unique contributions. (p. 11)
- Encourage the continual development of technology and practices that reduce waste generation, improve waste utilization practices, and reduce environmental impacts from waste. (p. 11)
County Planning
Funds to provide resources for the Department and Designated Planning Entities to administer the county solid waste management planning process.
- Enforce and administer county Solid Waste Management Plans and related solid waste programs. (p. 13)
- Ensure appropriate disposal and utilization capacity through the solid waste management planning process. (p. 13)
- Use the solid waste management planning process to establish criteria for evaluating waste utilization needs and establishing the necessary infrastructure. (p. 11)
State Solid Waste Policy Administration
Funds to provide resources for the implementation of the State Solid Waste Policy, including necessary tools, leadership, data management, and other assistance to stakeholders.
- To sustain a comprehensive [statewide] solid waste management strategy, the state undertakes actions that cannot be handled at the local level [including] set goals, ensure standards are met, ensure accountability, provide tools, [and] serve as an information clearinghouse for emerging technologies, practices, and funding opportunities. (p. 13)
- Evaluate the implementation of this Solid Waste Policy every five years and recommend appropriate changes through a report prepared by the MDEQ Director. The report should be based upon the work of the Solid Waste Policy Advisory Committee with input from other interested parties. (p. 19)
Adopted February 2010
The MRC strongly believes legislative action is needed to require reporting by entities that receive, process, or market recyclable materials from residential and commercial sources - having concluded that this reporting mechanism is essential to Michigan's development of metric driven cost effective recycling strategies for our state that will realize the economic and job creation benefits that strong recycling brings to our state. The MRC also recommends that any reporting system be designed in such a way as to respect and protect the proprietary nature of relevant data. It further recommends that a reporting system be used to assist in the development and evaluation of recycling strategies and not for regulatory purposes.
January 2015
Whereas Article II of the Michigan Recycling Coalition (MRC) Bylaws stipulates that the "purpose and objectives of the Coalition shall be: 1. To promote sound solid waste management through source reduction, reuse, and the recycling and composting of waste material,"
Whereas Section 1 of the MRC's General Policies stipulates the following:
"The Michigan Recycling Coalition endorses and supports a hierarchy of waste management preferences that gives first priority to source reduction, reuse, recycling and composting to minimize the amount of waste to be otherwise managed.
Source reduction and recycling can conserve energy and natural resources, create jobs and employment opportunities, and conserve landfill space. Other forms of waste disposal, such as waste-to-energy facilities and sanitary landfilling, are less preferable in terms of resource conservation and environmental protection.
Policies should also be adopted at local, state, and federal levels of government to pursue an integrated waste management hierarchy of priorities for solving solid waste problems."
Whereas the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has developed a hierarchy ranking the most environmentally sound strategies for municipal solid waste management consisting of the following, ranked "Most Preferred" to "Least Preferred":
- Source Reduction & Reuse
- Recycling/Composting
- Energy Recovery
- Treatment & Disposal
Whereas the U.S. EPA defines recycling as the following:
"Recycling is a series of activities that includes the collection of used, reused, or unused items that would otherwise be considered waste; sorthing and processing the recyclable products into raw materials; and remanufacturing the recycled raw materials into new products. Recycling also can include composting of food scraps, yard trimmings, and other organic materials,"
Whereas the U.S. EPA defines energy recovery as the following:
"Energy recovery from waste is the conversion of non-recyclable waste materials into usable heat, electricity, or fuel through a variety of processes, including combustion, gasification, pyrolization, anaerobic digestion, and landfill gas (LFG) recovery,"
Whereas the U.S. Conference of Mayors has adopted a resolution that recognizes a hierarchy of material management and recognizes the positive economic and environmental impact of recycling and composting;
Whereas the Michigan Solid Waste Policy promulgated by the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) and adopted in 2007 establishes a "utilization" goal of 50 percent and defines that utilization goal as follows:
"The utilization goal of 50 percent of MSW by 2015 includes the MSW recycling rate and any other waste utilization practices. Examples of waste reduction and waste utilization technologies and practices include on-site resource management practices to optimize reducing waste at its source and reusing waste without further processing, returnable/recyclable/biodegradable packaging innovations, and beneficial waste utilization technologies such as composting, energy recovery, and bio-gasification,"
Whereas, however, the Michigan Solid Waste Policy did not establish science-based guidance concerning the degree to which waste subjected to energy recovery or bio-gasification management practices shall be considered utlilization;
Whereas the MRC has an adopted Position Statement opposing exemptions to Michigan's Yard Waste Ban for reasons that include the following:
- Landfill gas is an insignificant source of energy and introducing yard clippings into Michigan's landfills will not have an appreciable impact on energy production.
- Landfills designed to capture methane are inefficient and still emit considerable amounts of methane (which is 23 times more potent than carbon dioxide). As such, the proposal would have a net negative impact on the environment.
- Landfill gas is a poor performing and dirty source of energy.
- It will have a detrimental impact on Michigan's composting industry, resulting in a net loss of jobs in Michigan.
- It runs counter to sophisticated waste management trends throughout the country and the world, placing Michigan at a competitive disadvantage with regard to the development and implementation of state-of-the-art and emerging recycling technologies.
- It will accelerate the depletion of existing landfill space, increase the amount of out-of-state waste coming into Michigan, causing an increase in disposal costs for Michigan's businesses, cities, and residents;
Whereas on April 14, 2014, Governor Rick Snyder announced his statewide recycling initiative and his administration's commitment to "make Michigan a recycling leader," now, therefore, be it resolved that the MRC:
- Restates its endorsement and support of the solid waste management hierarchy contained in its Bylaws and General Policies;
- Reminds policymakers and legislators that exemptions to Michigan's Yard Waste Ban are not consistent with the Governor's Recycling Initiative;
- Reminds policymakers and legislators that energy recovery is a solid waste management practice, by definition, is not recycling;
- Urges the MDEQ to develop science-based guidance and decision-making criteria that considers the inefficiencies and environmental impact of energy recovery as a waste management practice and its relationship to the goals of the Michigan Solid Waste Policy and the Governor's Recycling Initiative.
Approved October 2015
Whereas, product stewardship efforts aim to encourage manufacturers and consumers to take increasing responsibility to reduce the entire life-cycle impacts of a product and its packaging - energy and materials consumption, air and water emissions, the amount of toxins in the product, worker safety, and waste disposal - in product design and in the end-of-life management of products they produce;
Whereas, "extended product responsibility," or product stewardship, has been recognized as a tool of the future in the RCRA Vision Paper developed by a state/EPA workgroup with extensive public participation;
Whereas, states have a responsibility in exploring the issues, technology, and practices relating to product stewardship;
Therefore, be it resolved, the Michigan Recycling Coalition recognizes and urges utilization of the following Principles of Product Stewardship that have been developed to support state and local agencies in promoting product stewardship and developing voluntary agreements with industry and environmental groups to reduce the health and environmental impacts from consumer products:
- Responsibility - The responsibility for reducing product impacts should be shared among industry (designers, manufacturers, and retailers of products or product components), government, and consumers. The greater the ability an entity has to minimize a product's lifecycle impacts the greater is its degree of responsibility, and opportunity, for addressing those impacts.
- Internalize Costs - All product lifecycle costs - from using resources, to reducing health and environmental impacts throughout the product process, to managing products at the end-of-life - should be included in the total product costs. The environmental costs of product manufacture, use, and disposal should be minimized, to the greatest extent possible, for local and state governments, and ultimately shifted to the manufacturers and consumers of products. Manufacturers should thus have a direct financial incentive to redesign their products to reduce these costs.
- Incentives for Cleaner Products and Sustainable Management Practices - Policies that promote and implement product stewardship principles should create incentives for the manufacturer to design and produce "cleaner" products - ones made using less energy, materials, and toxins, which result in less waste (through reduction, reuse, recycling, and composting) and use less energy to operate. These policies should also create incentives for the development of a sustainable and environmentally-sound system to collect, reuse, and recycle products at the end of their lives.
- Flexible Management Strategies - Those that are responsible for reducing the health and environmental impacts of products should have flexibility in determining how to most effectively address those impacts. The performance of responsible parties shall be measured by the achievement of goal-oriented results.
- Roles and Relationships - Industry should provide leadership in realizing these principles. Government will provide leadership in promoting the practices of product stewardship through procurement, technical assistance, program evaluation, education, market development, agency coordination, and by addressing regulatory barriers and, where necessary, providing regulatory incentives and disincentives. Industry and government shall provide - and consumers should take full advantage of - information needed to make responsible environmental purchasing, reuse, recycling, and disposal decisions.
Electronic products contain hazardous materials but also, valuable resources. The proper and safe management of these products at the end of their lifecycle is an ongoing concern and opportunity. Michigan's Electronic Waste Takeback Program was established in 2008 through Part 173 of the Natural Resources And Environmental Protection Act, Act 451 of 1994, as amended. The law is generally consistent with the trend to encourage or require the manufacturers, retailers, and consumers of products to bear responsibility for the full lifecycle costs of those products. While the law has helped give rise to the increased recovery of electronic waste in the state, the voluntary goal established by law has not been met, and the program has underperformed, especially when compared to other Great Lakes states.
The Michigan Recycling Coalition makes the following recommendations:
- The current voluntary goal for video display devices should be replaced with a mandatory goal that applies to all covered electronic devices.
- The list of covered electronic devices should be expanded.
- A system of transferable credits should be established.
- A variable fee structure should be established and enforced, including penalties for non-compliance and late registration or reporting, while rewarding programs for early registration and reporting.
- out-of-state recyclers should also be required to register with the State.
- A phased-in disposal ban, consistent with Michigan's Solid Waste Policy, should be considered.
- A statewide education and outreach program should be developed.
- Robust data collection should take place and be integrated with statewide materials recovery and recycling data collection program.
September 2013
The Michigan Recycling Coalition asks legislators to oppose exemptions to the Yard Waste Ban. Do not turn back the clock and provide exemptions to the Yard Waste Ban for landfills on assurances that they will capture gases for energy production.
Landfills are engineered to exacting and expensive specifications to control toxic releases resulting from the disposal of municipal solid waste (MSW). Such expensive controls are overkill for the disposal of yard waste. Putting yard waste back into the landfill at higher cost and little benefit to governments and businesses to try and capture energy, the amount of which is open to debate, is short-sighted.
Banning yard waste from landfills has reduced the production of anaerobic greenhouse gases, provides a livelihood for many Michigan citizens, and makes widely available a natural and an important amendment to improve soil fertility. The composting industry is a young and growing industry and investments in the industry occur daily. Michigan composters would benefit from state-level market support rather than the potential crippling of their ability to obtain feedstock resulting from the redirection of yard waste back to landfills. The trade off to produce a debatable amount of Michigan's energy is just not worth undoing more than 15 years of investment in developing a better, more cost effective way to manage our organic resources.
Landfill gas is a waste product of landfill disposal. Why make more waste just because the technology to manage it exists? While it is important to capture landfill gas generated from MSW for which there is no other utilization option, a better option does exist for yard waste; composting.
The addition of yard waste to our MSW burden will accelerate the filling up of our landfills, requiring us to site more in the nearer future. If we are serious about generating energy from yard waste and biomass, we will invest in up-to-date technology, such as in-vessel anaerobic digesters, whose express purpose is to efficiently capture methane for energy use and still provide a useful soil amendment end product.
The State of Michigan enacted legislation banning the disposal of yard waste in landfills in 1990, phased in over five years. The Ban was a proactive solution. There are numerous problems with the concept of putting yard waste back into Michigan landfills under any form:
- Landfill gas is an insignificant source of energy and introducing yard clippings into Michigan's landfills will not have an appreciable impact on energy production.
- Landfills designed to capture methane are inefficient and still emit considerable amounts of methane (which is 23 times more potent than carbon dioxide). As such, the proposal would have a net negative impact on the environment.
- Landfill gas is a poor performing and dirty source of energy.
- It will have a detrimental impact on Michigan's fledgling composting industry, resulting in a net loss of jobs in Michigan.
- It runs counter to sophisticated waste management trends throughout the country and the world, placing Michigan at a competitive disadvantage with regard to the development and implementation of state-of-the-art and emerging recycling technologies.
- It will accelerate the depletion of existing landfill space, increase the amount of out-of-state waste coming into Michigan, causing an increase in disposal costs for Michigan's businesses, cities, and residents.
October 2009
Whereas, the Michigan Recycling Coalition (MRC) is a nonprofit environmental organization whose Mission Statement includes fostering "effective resource use in Michigan by developing, supporting, and educating a coalition...working toward the common goals of waste reduction, recycling, reuse, composting, and recycled-content purchasing" (emphasis added) and;
Whereas, the MRC 21st Century Vision includes "a future when all...organic nutrients return to the soil through composting" and;
Whereas, the MRC Policy Statements include the following:
- "The Michigan Recycling Coalition endorses and supports a hierarchy of waste management preferences that gives first priority to source reduction, reuse, recycling and composting to minimize the amount of waste to be otherwise managed... Other forms of waste disposal, such as waste-to-energy facilities and sanitary landfilling, are less preferable in terms of resource conservation and environmental protection."
- "Composting is a viable strategy, equal in importance with recycling, for achieving effective reduction of the waste stream."
- "Source-separated, recyclable and compostable materials diverted from municipal solid waste (MSW) for which recycling markets exist, should not be considered solid waste" and;
Whereas, according to date from Michigan's 21st Century Electric Energy Plan, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy, landfilling yard clippings will not have an appreciable impact on energy production or consumption and;
Whereas, allowing yard clippings, other than a de minimis amount, to be disposed of in Michigan landfills, will have a detrimental impact on Michigan's composting industry, likely resulting in a net loss of jobs in Michigan, and;
Whereas, allowing yard clippings in landfills runs counter to sophisticated waste management trends throughout the country and the world, placing Michigan at a competitive disadvantage with regard to the development and implementation of state-of-the-art and emerging technologies and;
Whereas, allowing yard clippings in landfills will accelerate the depletion of existing landfill space in Michigan, eventually causing an increase in disposal costs for Michigan's businesses, cities, and residents and;
Whereas, landfills designed to capture methane still emit considerable amounts of methane into the atmosphere, resulting in a negative impact on the environment.
Now, therefore, let it be resolved that the Michigan Recycling Coalition Board of Directors finds that allowing yard clippings, other than a de minimis amount, to be disposed of in Michigan landfills, is in conflict with the MRC Mission Statement, 21st Century Vision, and Policy Statements, and;
Be it further resolved that the Michigan Recycling Coalition Board of Directors opposes any solid waste management approach that increases the amount of organic material disposed of in Michigan landfills.
The Michigan Recycling Coalition (MRC) advocates for the reuse and recycling of all materials and encourages the reuse of used or unwanted clothing and household goods. The MRC recommends reuse through a variety of means including charitable giving, personal resale, personal exchange, and donating or giving to nonprofit and for-profit resale organizations.
The MRC encourages citizens and local communities to utilize sustainable collection methodologies for reusable and recyclable material in a manner that is compatible with local needs, existing and planned recycling and reuse infrastructure, and local ordinances. The MRC acknowledges and endorses the wide array of viable reuse and collection options, including, but not limited to, yard sales, internet resale, organized material exchanges, retail drop-off sites, drop-off bins, and home based pick up through curbside routes or pick up by appointment.
The MRC supports the ability of communities to locally determine the compatibility of reuse and collection options with local ordinances and local needs.
The MRC encourages counties to incorporate reuse into county solid waste planning efforts and promote best practices within local communities.
June 2014
The unauthorized scavenging of recyclable material from public and private residential collection routes and drop-off centers should be considered theft that diverts valuable resources from the communities and companies that have established those routes. Scavenging detracts from the financial performance of those programs and serves as an impediment to future public and private investment in the infrastructure necessary to grow recycling and managing materials in an environmentally responsible manner in Michigan. The Michigan Recycling Coalition encourages State and local officials to adopt laws, ordinances, and practices that discourage scavenging of recyclable material, while recognizing the interests of all stakeholders.
Background
The practice of scavenging, or "garbage picking," has a long history and, in some ways, has served as part of the foundation of the modern recycling industry. Finding value and reuse potential in the discards of others is an integral component of the comprehensive solid waste management system of today.
Nevertheless, the scavenging of materials that have been set out at the curb by homeowners for collection by a designated solid waste hauler or taken to a recycling drop-off center poses a number of financial, safety, and environmental issues concerns.
Financial Impact
Comprehensive solid waste collection systems are generally designed based on the expectation of a certain material stream and related value. Any activity that diverts those materials from the intended collection program interferes with the performance of those systems and undermines the capital and program investments made in those systems.
Haulers and communities design collection routes to maximize efficiency, which can be impacted by the unauthorized scavenging of curbside material. Haulers and communities invest in collection programs with the expectation that the material that is collected will be of a certain value. As the more valuable material is scavenged, expected revenue streams are not realized and the financial performance is degraded.
Safety/Environmental Issues
Haulers and municipalities design collection programs to ensure that materials are collected and processed in a safe and environmentally sound manner. The scavenging, processing, and sale of commodities outside of the authorized system can create safety and environmental issues.
For example, residents will often discard non-working appliances such as dehumidifiers at the curb. Scavengers will often seek out such appliances for the value of the metal. However, those used appliances may also contain refrigerants. While the authorized collection system is designed to ensure that the refrigerants are removed from the appliance in accordance with all relevant regulations, scavengers are unlikely to feel bound by those same regulations and dismantle the appliance in such a way as to release the refrigerants into the atmosphere.
Another common example involves used electronic equipment, specifically televisions and computer monitors that contain cathode ray tubes (CRTs). When such items are collected for recycling, the valuable metals are captured for recycling and the leaded glass tubes are handled in accordance with environmental regulations and safety practices. Even when such items are collected at the curb for disposal, environmental and safety concerns are considered.
However, scavengers often salvage the metals from the CRTs without regard for the disposition of the leaded glass. Often, the broken leaded glass and low-to-no value plastic components are illicitly dumped. Exposure to broken leaded glass poses health and environmental risks.
Measures to Reduce Scavenging
There are policies and practices that can be undertaken to reduce scavenging activity.
Enforcement is another key component. Many communities across Michigan have anti-scavenging ordinances but do not have the resources to effectively enforce them or don't actively enforce the ordinances because resources are directed to other issues.
State Law
Metal theft from buildings and private property is an increasing concern that has generated legislative efforts aimed at scrap yards that buy such materials. Laws designed to discourage metal theft can also apply to material scavenged from curbside routes if properly designated.
For example, HB 4699 requires the creation and maintenance of the scrap metal offenders registry and makes it illegal for scrap yards to do business with individuals on the registry. In theory, individuals found guilty of violating local anti-scavenging ordinances by scavenging metals could be eligible for the registry.
HB 4699 also creates a funding source for local law enforcement agencies to investigate and prosecute violations.
Local Practices
There are a variety of local practices that can help diminish scavenging. They may vary in effectiveness, cost, and practicality but can be part of a suite of tools that, when combined with effective law enforcement, can effectively address scavenging. Those practices include the following:
- Education. Create public awareness that scavenging is an ordinance violation that should be reported.
- Covered curbside containers. Recycling carts with lids make it less convenient for scavengers to identify potential targets.
- Cameras at recycling drop-off sites. Cameras can aid in identifying individuals that scavenge or illicitly dump at recycling drop-off sites.
- Staffed drop-off sites. On-site personnel can serve as an impediment to both scavenging and illicit dumping.
- Signage. Informing drop-off site users of acceptable practices can serve as a deterrent to those individuals that are unaware that scavenging isn't permitted.
- Compactors. Drop-off containers that automatically compact material so that it isn't accessible can eliminate scavenging.
The Michigan Recycling Coalition endorses the principle that all used beverage containers should be collected for recycling. The Michigan Recycling Coalition believes that deposit return systems and curbside collection programs complement each other in ways which maximize consumer access and ensure material quality for end-use recycling. The MRC opposes efforts and policy proposals designed to repeal Michigan's deposit-return law.
Adopted March 2019
Whereas, for over twenty-seven years, Michigan's bottle bill has been extremely effective at achieving its economic, social, and environmental goals, and;
Whereas, Michigan's bottle bill has been a model for the United States, and;
Whereas, Michigan's carbonated container law has produced a recycling rate of up to 95% for affected glass, aluminum, and plastic containers, and;
Whereas, individual water, juice, tea, and sports drink bottles were not widely sold when Michigan's Beverage Container Law as developed, and;
Whereas, citizens from across the state are concerned about litter from non-carbonated single-serve beverages on highways, in our neighborhoods, and in our natural areas, and;
Whereas, Michigan's expanded Bottle Bill would divert waste from disposal thus reducing solid waste management costs and reducing our need for landfill construction, and;
Whereas, the State of Michigan has an extremely low recycling rate for all containers not covered under the Bottle Bill and an expanded Bottle Bill would greatly increase recycling volumes, and;
Whereas, the Beverage Container Law already supports thousands of jobs and an expanded law would result in further economic development, and;
Therefore be it resolved, that the Michigan Recycling Coalition fully supports and urges the Michigan Legislature to pass legislation to expand the Michigan Bottle Bill to increase the recycling rate of non-carbonated, single-serve beverages and reduce unwanted litter from these bottles and cans.
The Michigan Recycling Coalition (MRC) is a nonprofit environmental organization whose mission is:
To foster effective resource use in Michigan by developing, supporting, and educating a coalition of business, government, nonprofit, and individual members working toward the common goals of waste reduction, recycling, reuse, composting, and recycled-content purchasing.
Approved in March 2005
Source reduction, recycling, and composting can be encouraged at the local and state levels through the establishment of national goals. This establishment of national goals will define the importance of waste prevention and recycling for both the public and private sector.
Federal, state, and local governments should establish aggressive, achievable source reduction, recycling, and composting goals where collection goals and utilization goals are in balance.
State and local governments should be required to annually report their progress in meeting state and federal goals. Definitions of solid waste, municipal solid waste, recyclable, recycled, and related terms should be standardized nationally.
Education and outreach are required for change that results in national decisions to increase waste reduction and recycling. Education and outreach information should be developed and made easily accessible to private and public sectors, the media, and the general public, including school children.
The Michigan Recycling Coalition endorses and supports a hierarchy of waste management preferences that gives first priority to source reduction, reuse, recycling, and composting to minimize the amount of waste to be otherwise managed.
Source reduction and recycling can conserve energy and natural resources, create jobs and employment opportunities, and conserve landfill space. Other forms of waste disposal, such as waste-to-energy facilities and sanitary landfilling, are less preferable in terms of resource conservation and environmental protection.
Policies should also be adopted at local, state, and federal levels of government to pursue an integrated waste management hierarchy of priorities for solving solid waste problems.
Clean, source-separated compostables, such as leaves, grass clippings, brush, food scraps, and non-recyclable paper represent a significant portion of the municipal solid waste stream. Composting is a viable strategy, equal in importance with recycling, for achieving effective reduction of the waste stream.
Recycling is only successful, economically and environmentally, to the extent that it replaces rather than augments the use of some virgin resources. We are becoming a supplier of basic raw materials (from recycling) which other economies are processing into much higher-value materials and products, often for consumption back in the U.S. To build a recycling manufacturing base will not only strengthen the demand for recycled materials, but it will also assist in resolving our nation's balance of trade deficits, and will reinvest local waste resources that contribute jobs and taxes to local economies.
Market development programs must be made an integral part of recycling collection initiatives. In promoting markets for recovered materials, economic development, waste management, and environmental protection, authorities must work with private firms to select, fully fund, and implement the most appropriate and cost-effective market development instruments and activities.
The Michigan Recycling Coalition encouraged federal, state, and local government to examine economic and regulatory policies to assure that disincentives for the use of recycled materials in the manufacture of products are eliminated and, under appropriate circumstances, incentives for the use of recycled materials are encouraged.
Research, development, and transfer of technology is needed within industry, commerce, and all levels of government to develop uses for secondary materials as the feedstock of industry. These technologies will result in less dependency on limited and virgin by promoting the use of renewable, reusable, and recyclable materials, as well as developing substitute feedstocks of primarily recycled and secondary materials.
Steps should be taken to ensure the continued development of cost effective systems for collection, processing, market development, and education to maintain the viability and long-term growth of recycling. The MRC will support the efforts of those who seek to increase the amount of recycling and who explore and expand new opportunities for source reduction and recycling.
Improvements in the demand for recycled materials will add market certainty to recyclable material collection programs. The expansion of markets, in turn, rest heavily on the use of recycled content products. Thus, measures are needed to expand and encourage the use of recycled content products.
The MRC encourages the highest level of recycled content available in the marketplace for newspapers, packaging, and other consumer products. Wherever possible, public and private standards should be revised to allow greater use of recycled and recyclable materials. Product standards which pose impediments on the use of recycled materials should be carefully scrutinized.
Federal, state, and local governments should immediately institute recycled products procurement standards that specify minimum recycled and post-consumer recycled content and appropriate price preference for a broad range of products.
The success of recycling depends on manufacturing from recovered materials useful products that reenter the economy.
Local and state governments should review federal and state procurement requirements (e.g.., those in RCRA) to determine what additional efforts, if any, are required of them to comply with laws requiring the use of recycled materials and products when using federal and state funding for projects within that government.
The Michigan Recycling Coalition recommends that public and private agencies and organizations establish programs to favor purchases of recycled products and engage in source reduction.
Continued emphasis on recycling of post-consumer materials - not only in residential waste, but also in waste generated from commercial and industrial sources - is required as a significant part of prudent and environmentally sound solid waste management. To increase the diversion rate of such materials from the solid waste stream will require opportunities for all citizens, businesses, and industries to recycle, and adequate markets to use the collected materials. The opportunity to recycle can be provided by private, public, and nonprofit organizations or partnerships.
As recycling activities are expanded, efforts should be pursued in a way that builds upon the existing recycling infrastructure of markets, processors, collectors, sorters (both private and nonprofit) and the throughput they generate. As the existing infrastructure grows, steps should be taken to ensure cost-effective design of systems and for collection, processing, and end-uses to grow in size together.
Source-separated, recyclable, and compostable materials diverted from municipal solid waste (MSW) for which recycling markets exist, should not be considered solid waste. Subjecting recycling operations and facilities to unnecessary regulations and permitting requirements will prevent the timely development of recycling/composting infrastructures. The Michigan Recycling Coalition recommends that recycling/composting operations and facilities be regulated to the extent necessary to protect health and the environment.
As source reduction, recycling, and composting programs are instituted, costs of garbage collection and disposal are avoided by the municipality and/or its contractor(s). One of the most challenging aspects of changing local systems to foster recycling will be establishing methods to accrue the avoided collection and disposal costs to the benefit of funding recycling programs.
Avoided collection and disposal costs should be established in a way that provides incentives for waste generators, collectors, and landfill operators to expand recycling and encourage the reduction of amounts of waste generated, and that takes into account future increasing waste disposal costs.
Landfill prices should reflect the true cost of disposal to encourage source reduction, recycling, and composting, and to encourage waste generators and haulers to keep recyclable material from other wastes.
Many cities offer unlimited garbage collection service for a flat fee. Once recycling services are offered so that residents can choose to waste or to recycle, a limit to the amount of waste accepted at a base price should have a significant impact on consumer behavior. This base price for garbage service is analogous to the "lifetime" services provided by utilities to provide basic while promoting conservation.
Limited or variable can rates should be considered a critical first step toward a rate structure that discourages waste.
A primary goal of the Michigan Recycling Coalition is to reduce waste production and then maximize recycling as an integral part of sound resource management. The MRC has adopted internal organizational waste reduction and recycling practices, and encourages other public and private entities to adopt similar practices appropriate to their situation.
Recyclable products and packaging greatly facilitate environmentally sound solid waste management. The success of recycling programs depends on labeling of products and packaging for their recycled material content and their recyclability; allowing consumers to make well-informed, environmentally sound purchasing decisions; and on consumer demand for products and packaging made from recycled materials.
The Michigan Recycling Coalition supports adoption of federal legislation or regulation setting nationally uniform requirements, standards, and definitions to regulate the environmentally marketing and labeling practices for products and packaging for recyclability, reusability, and recycled content.
The Michigan Recycling Coalition encourages manufacturers to design products and packaging which promotes waste reduction, reuse, recyclability, and the utilization of post consumer materials in the manufacture of their products.
Legislation Support & Opposition
Dear Chair Graves and Committee Members,
The Michigan Recycling Coalition (MRC) represents more than 450 public and private sector recycling professionals across the state. On behalf of the MRC Board of Directors and members, I write to express our opposition to Senate Bill 853.
A recent Department of Environmental Quality funded study of municipal solid waste commodities disposed in Michigan landfills, places a commodity value of disposed plastic bags at over $14M annually. However, that material only has economic value if we can successfully divert plastic bags from disposal and litter to recycling facilities.
The cost to get that material into and through the recycling stream is an important consideration. The unfortunate truth is that plastic bags present significant operational problems at most modern recycling plants in Michigan. Plastic bags wrap around and ultimately jam sorting equipment and migrate into every commodity stream, making them more challenging than other types of contamination. Work stops when employees take on the dangerous task of untangling the equipment and those costs add up in both public and private sector recycling facilities. Some estimates place overall contamination costs at about $100 per ton of material processed, of which about a quarter of those costs are the result of the unique challenges posed by plastic bags. In fact, many recycling facilities do not collect plastic bags because of the financial and safety burden.
Plastic recycling stakeholders have developed a voluntary program for retail stores across the nation, where customers can return these bags to the store, already separated from other materials. This makes recycling bags more effective, however, these programs aren't available widely and don't enjoy the benefit of widespread education. Wider adoption of these programs by Michigan retailers would certainly help, as would a statewide education campaign.
Waste is becoming a more significant issue for local governments and consumers each year. The impacts and costs of managing materials at the end-of-life only grow. Without recourse, Michigan municipalities will have no impact on the onslaught of waste on which they and the State of Michigan will ultimately be held accountable.
Failed recycling efforts means billions of plastic bags are thrown away, blow onto our streets, and float into our waterways. Plastic bags are the quintessential litter item: there are billions of them, their life span is generally just a few short minutes, and they are light and easily transportable.
Your support of the Governor's Recycling Initiative and its forthcoming recommendations to grow recycling in Michigan will open the door to bring the resources and innovation needed to tackle these types of challenges. Perhaps further dialogue would lead the State to support recycling by requiring that plastic bags be made from some percentage of post-consumer recycled content material, which drives recycling. Limiting local government's ability to drive needed change will not.
We appreciate your attention to this matter. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or concerns at (517) 974-3672.
Sincerely
Kerrin O'Brien
Executive Director
The Michigan Recycling Coalition urges legislators to support House Bills 5558 & 5559. Recycling creates jobs, generates revenue, and encourages capital investments - all of which stimulate the economy. At the same time, recycling sustains the environment by decreasing pollution, saving energy, conserving natural resources, and reducing greenhouse gases. With state level leadership and financial and technical assistance, Michigan can create and maintain a robust resource management infrastructure to the benefit of Michigan citizens, economy, and environment.
Over the last 20 years, Michigan communities have been invested in innovative resource recovery programs. The Michigan Recycling Coalition, with financial assistance from EPA Region 5, undertook The Recycling Measurement Project in 2000 to better understand the impact of those investments. Findings of the project indicate that Michiganders have access to 72 curbside and drop-off recycling programs that serve 30%-43% of the population and result in a weak 20% recycling rate. Yet even at this recycling rate, these programs fuel an industry that contributes more than $2 billion in revenue for materials processing alone and have a powerful potential for growth.
According to the Institute for Local Self-Reliance (ISLR), "On a per-ton basis, sorting and processing recyclables alone sustain 10 times more jobs than landfilling or incineration. New recycling-based manufacturers employ more people and at higher wages than does sorting recyclables." The ISLR Waste to Wealth Project, Recycling Means Business, reinforces what MRC members already know, "Recycling is an economic development tool as well as an environmental tool. Reuse, recycling, and waste reduction offer direct development opportunities for communities. When collected with skill and care, and upgraded with quality in mind, discarded materials are a local resource that can contribute to local revenue, job creation, business expansion, and the local economic base."
Additionally, a U.S. Recycling Economic Information Study finds that nationally, the Recycling and Reuse industry is comparable to industries such as Auto and Truck Manufacturing, Machinery Manufacturing, Food Manufacturing, and Computer and Electronics Manufacturing in terms of employment and wages. The study also identifies recycling as a diverse industry encompassing 26 different types of businesses. Michigan's recycling and composting industries have tremendous capacity to contribute to suffering local economies.
Michigan has been moving in this direction for years and it's time to transform our waste paradigm.
Recycling funding can be used to help business, industry, hospitals, and schools to transform their waste management systems to take advantage of the cost saving benefits of recycling.
The Michigan Recycling Coalition is committed to working closely with Representative Roberts to:
- Attract, expand, and support recycling and composting processing and manufacturing in Michigan
- Provide leadership, training, tools, and resources to recycling and composting service providers
- Provide incentives and support to Michigan manufacturers to increase the use of recycled materials in end-products
- Develop and deliver consistent educational messages across the state
Honorable Representative LaFontaine and distinguished members of the House Natural Resources Committee:
The Michigan Recycling Coalition (MRC) supports House Bill 5005 and the opportunity it creates to lawfully divert solid waste to its highest possible use or its safest disposal option. The MRC Board of Directors and members are active participants in an industry focused on creating value out of solid waste and providing services to manage that waste most effectively.
HB 5005 allows the regulatory structure to comport with current best practices, eliminating potential bureaucratic impediments while still providing reasonable standards for the protection of public safety and environmental health. HB 5005 permits the management of our most difficult to handle wastes in the safest possible way. The MRC would encourage committee members to consider one amendment to the Bill. On Page 2, Line 15 include "OR GOVERNMENTAL ENTITIES." This inclusion simply allows those entities to divert their waste and/or to manage residential or bulked waste legally, according to the safest environmental practices.
We encourage the Natural Resources Committee to pass HB 5005 and bring law in line with efforts to manage our municipal and commercial solid waste in accordance with best practices and with those higher goals in mind.
With more than 250 professional recycling members, the Michigan Recycling Coalition is in a unique position to represent a variety of perspectives on the issues of e-waste including collection, processing, and manufacturing.
I appreciate your consideration. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions, (517) 974-3672.
Kerrin O'Brien
Executive Director
Honorable Representative Crawford and distinguished members of the House Regulatory Reform Committee:
The Michigan Recycling Coalition (MRC) supports House Bill 5798 and the opportunity it creates to lawfully divert solid waste to its highest possible use or its safest disposal option. The MRC Board of Directors and members are active participants in an industry focused on creating value out of solid waste and providing services to manage that waste most effectively.
HB 5798 allows the regulatory structure to comport with current best practices, eliminating potential bureaucratic impediments while still providing reasonable standards for the protection of public safety and environmental health. HB 5798 permits the management of our most difficult to handle wastes to their highest economic and environmental benefit.
We encourage the Regulatory Reform Committee to pass HB 5798 and bring law in line with efforts to manage our municipal and commercial solid waste in accordance with best practices and with those higher goals in mind.
With more than 250 professional recycling members, the Michigan Recycling Coalition is in a unique position to represent a variety of perspectives on the issues of e-waste including collection, processing, and manufacturing.
I appreciate your consideration. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions, (517) 974-3672.
Sincerely,
Kerrin O'Brien
Executive Director
Honorable Representative Crawford, Farrington, and members of the House Regulatory Reform Committee:
The Michigan Recycling Coalition (MRC) supports the opportunity to make a good law better. It's unfortunate that a meeting of the Electronic Waste Advisory Council was never called. In that void, the MRC convened several meetings of many of the state's electronic waste stakeholders to evaluate the law as it currently stands and to discuss improving the law for all involved. The attached report and recommendations are the result of those discussions.
Electronics recycling has been great for Michigan's recycling industry, attracting new businesses and providing feedstock for existing businesses. We have an opportunity to improve upon and create a more equitable law for businesses that capitalize on the recycling efforts of Michigan communities in a way that creates jobs and contributes to a healthy environment and economy. MRC members and others in the industry support these efforts and want to ensure that this law maintains its capacity to affect positive change.
We encourage the legislature to utilize the process established within the E-waste Takeback Law to convene an Electronic Waste Advisory Council and discuss the need for changes to improve the law for Michigan communities and businesses. We further encourage you to use our recommendations to guide future discussion and action on the law.
With more than 250 professional recycling members, the Michigan Recycling Coalition is in a unique position to represent a variety of perspectives on the issues of e-waste including collection, processing, and manufacturing.
I appreciate your consideration. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions, (517) 974-3672.
Sincerely,
Kerrin O'Brien
Executive Director
Honorable Representatives Crawford, Stamas, Segal, and members of the House Regulatory Reform Committee:
While the Michigan Recycling Coalition is not in a position to take a stand on HB 5660 at this time, we would like to provide a perspective on successful materials recovery and recycling and its relation to the Bottle Bill.
As many in the industry already know, the Bottle Bill has proven itself to be very effective in capturing the material it targets. That material, however, makes up only 1.5% of Michigan's entire waste stream. And, it is the burden of the retailers and distributors that collect and transport the containers for processing.
Additionally, the Bottle Bill system operates in parallel to curbside and drop-off recycling programs across the state that handle the vast majority of material recovered from households. Michigan's recycling systems are capable of handling a wide variety of materials in large volumes but depend on the revenue generated from the sale of that material to offset operational costs. When materials, especially higher-value materials such as PET and aluminum, are diverted from the general recycling stream, the cost to process the remaining materials is even higher.
The MRC will oppose any change to the Bottle Bill that does not seek to invest in a comprehensive solid waste, recycling, and composting management system that maximizes the convenient, cost-effective collection and recycling of a growing volume and number of materials.
Furthermore, we have concern that exemptions to the Bottle Bill for difficult to recycle packaging will only encourage the development and use of difficult to recycle packaging to avoid a bottle deposit, at a time when corporate culture is shifting toward producer responsibility for end-of-life management of these products. If sustainable markets exist for the sale of end-of-life products and packaging then these materials should be captured and recycled in the systems that exist to do so.
I appreciate your consideration. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions, (517) 974-3672.
Sincerely,
Kerrin O'Brien
Executive Director