At Recycle Ann Arbor
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June/July 2000
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Features
Cleaner Air Coming to Detroit
Henry Ford Hospital to Close Incinerator
by Mary Beth Doyle
Selling Their Future Short?
Engler Panel Ignores Doctors' Advice
by Dave Dempsey
Recycling Land
Brownfield Redevelopment is a Balancing Act of Priorities
by Mike Tolinski
Dumbing Down the Children
Michigan, Other States Ignore Federal Lead Testing Law
by Peter Montague
Columns
Tiny Township Turns Down GM
Rural Milan Residents Reject Rail-Car Yard, by Aretta Schills
Diet, Health, and the Environment
An Interview with John Robbins, by Rachel Shaw
Healthy Home and Garden
Energy Star Products Save Cash and Power, by Kristi Jacques
Huron Valley News
Webster Township Holds Sprawl Forum, by Ernie Becker
Science for the People
Pesticides Linked to Decreased Fertility, by Mary Beth Doyle
Recycle Ann Arbor Hires New Executive Director
By Kristi Jacques
In January, Recycle Ann Arbor hired Bruce MacKay as its new executive director. MacKay comes to Ann Arbor from his native California where he worked as an environmental consultant and planner for the Port of Oakland. While in the Bay Area, MacKay was instrumental in promoting the use of recycled products in the development of the new Oakland International Airport.
MacKay's educational background stretches from coast to coast. Aftercompleting his bachelor's studies at the University of California, Santa Cruz, he journeyed east to Boston, where he earned his master's degree at Boston University.
MacKay recently moved to Ann Arbor with his wife, who's pursuing an advanced degree in natural resources at the University of Michigan. His interest in RAA stems from his long-standing commitment to waste reduction and recycling. While Recycle Ann Arbor has, in one form or another, been operating for over 20 years, MacKay believes that the organization is now at a crucial juncture. "Recycle Ann Arbor is at a critical turning point, and it is my job to take them into the 21st century," said MacKay.
Recycle Ann Arbor is responsible for curbside recycling in Ann Arbor, as well as for operating a drop-off center for objects too large to be left at the curb. It also manages a commercial recycling program, on-site materials processing, a satellite drop-off service for surrounding communities, the ReUse Center (a popular Ann Arbor store where practical items such as home appliances and building materials are resold), and the EnHouse, a demonstration "green" building constructed with environmentally friendly materials and technologies.
His first project has been to make changes to the physical appearance of RAA's main site, including some to the ReUse Center. Additionally, MacKay wants to strike thewaste problem at its core by changing people's attitudes and consumption behaviors.
MacKay's approach to Recycle Ann Arbor, as he puts it, is "stability through diversity." While he commends Ann Arbor's citizens for doing their part, he would like to expand the range of materials that they recycle to include such items as computers and textiles.
Recycling programs nation-wide must constantly be aware ofthe bottom line. Financial constraints limit the activities of Recycle Ann Arbor, yet MacKay envisions a prosperous future for the program. One major challenge facing Recycle Ann Arbor is its identity. Many people associate the organization with the city and its solid waste program, although it is an organization independentof the city of Ann Arbor. MacKay plans to work hard to improve the public awareness of RAA and its programs in Ann Arbor, and throughout southeast Michigan.
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