We live in a fast-paced world where people make complicated choices every day about their role as a consumer and their role as an environmentalist. Social and environmental responsibility is no longer just a “nice theory” being touted by serious fundamentalists – the “green revolution” ideas of yesteryear are gaining serious momentum in the 21^st century lifestyle. Think about it – paperless banking statements, reusable grocery bags, and resale shops are small examples of how consumers are making small steps towards lowering their environmental footprint, in addition to hybrid cars, energy efficient light bulbs, and compostable dishware. But there is a larger piece of the puzzle that is so important and comprehensive that it even gets it’s own holiday every year on November 9^th – recycling.

Consumers and professionals alike play an important role in residential recycling, from every end of the spectrum. In the recycling industry, we call this the “triple bottom line” – society, economy, and environment. RRS understands the importance of maintaining this bottom line – it has been in our blood since 1986 and today we continue to work with community officials to make sure their recycling efforts are maximized to support the triple bottom line on a local level. We know that recycling creates jobs, saves resources, and saves money, but what really matters is making it happen on a real, consistent level, and RRS believes in creating projects that deliver results now and in the future.

In December 2011, Lisa Jackson, head of EPA, was interviewed on the television show “Dr. Oz.” When asked what is her most important message to people, Ms. Jackson’s answer was simple: recycle. If the US went from a 35% national recycling rate to an 80% – 90% national rate, we could create millions of jobs and recycling would become its own supply chain. While we still have more than twice the number of landfills than material recovery facilities in the US, the US has nearly tripled the annual amount of materials recycled from 1960 to 2010. Recycling markets continue to grow for paper, plastic, glass, aluminum, and electronics, and residents in US cities are becoming more educated and more involved in residential recycling programs.

One very essential part of the recycling market in the last 2 years has been a cause very near-and-dear to our hearts at RRS – the carton – in an effort driven by the Carton Council. You may have heard of them. The Carton Council is a group of carton manufacturers working to bring carton recycling access to all American households. Since 2009, the number of US households with access to carton recycling has risen from 15% to 35%, with a 2012 goal of 40% nationwide. With a great team of support on their side, Carton Council has made great progress in their campaign towards keeping cartons out of landfills and getting them into the recycling bin, and we expect many big updates from them in the year to come.

This month, we will continue our coverage of trends and topics in this area, which will include visits to Austin, Texas; Franklin, Tennessee; and Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin, for three recycling and sustainability conferences. We will also feature a select few cities that recently made headlines with the Carton Council going above and beyond to promote carton recycling in their communities.

Be sure to connect with us on Facebook and Twitter for daily updates and conversation.

While I didn’t get a chance to speak directly to Kerry, he supplied the following answers. I hope you find them as interesting and insightful as I did.

1.  As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

I did not have a clear vision, but leaned toward engineering type activities.

2.  What made you decide to pursue a career in resource management/sustainability? (Why do you work at Resource Recycling Systems?)

I have always been passionate about the environment and I grew concerned with the harmful activities against the natural environment.

I started out in corporate America as an engineer and quickly realized that I wanted to do something more positive for the world.  I took a stand against the risks posed by nuclear power, but found few ways to make positive contributions to the world in that role.  I then started volunteering with Recycle Ann Arbor (RAA) and ended up running the program. In an effort to take lessons learned to others, I co-founded RRS.

3.  What has been your favorite project at RRS?

Emmet County has been a lot of fun because it allows me to contribute at many levels and see the results of the efforts first hand.

4.  What do you feel is the next issue(s) on the forefront in our field of work?

An increasing push for extended producer responsibility and growing need for plastics recycling will lead to more integration of resource conservation and analysis into our work.

5.  What do you do at home to maintain a “green” lifestyle?

There are many ways you can contribute to a “green” lifestyle at home.

I minimize solid waste through compost, reuse, and recycle. Dismantle and recycle dead appliances and assist neighbors in recycling.  I minimize energy consumption from air conditioning and like, and I keep house temperature at minimal when gone.

Taking the time to enjoy the outdoors is crucial to avoid/minimize most resource intense pastime – I hike instead of drive.  I do not use chemicals on my garden and I work at home or at volunteer groups to reduce non-native invasive species. When possible I buy items with less wasteful packaging.

6. What is the most critical resource management concern you have and what should we be doing about it?

Ultimately we will run out of fossil fuels and many things that are currently made from petroleum will lack that feedstock.

If the world’s population continues to grow, we will not have enough food or potable water unless we make major changes in what we consume and how we grow food and protect water.

Climate change and the resulting flooding and impact on food production will complicate the above.

–Using less resources, reversing climate change and curbing population growth would be a good start.  Translating that into specific actions requires everyone to become a leader.  This is not happening nearly fast enough and the alternatives are not at all pretty.

7.  What tips would you give someone wanting to pursue a career in resource management/sustainability?

Try approaches that connect you to the things you want to change or contribute to.  Keep looking and trying until you find what works for you.

8.      Who is your favorite author and/or book?

I don’t have a favorite.  I’m influenced by many and my choice of literature varies with mood and needs.

9.      What is your favorite snack?

Oatmeal chocolate chip cookie usually works

10.  Who has been an inspiration to you in your life?

I find inspiration from many sources. My Mom and Dad, My Grandfather, many teachers, authors, coworkers and friends and JFK, EF Shumacher, M Ghandi, Peter Hayden, Bob Dylan, Pete Seger, Ralph Nader (in his earlier incarnation), Jimmy Carter and many of the leaders of the civil rights movement.

1.  As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

A lawyer or an interior designer

2. What made you decide to pursue a career in resource management/sustainability?

I liked the aspect of helping people understand the positive impacts of recycling and how their use of resources effects the environment.

3.  What has been your favorite project at RRS?

Southeastern Oakland County Resource Recovery Authority (SOCCRA) because it keeps me close to my municipal coordinator roots and Carton Council because of voluntary Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)

4. What do you feel is the next issue(s) on the forefront in our field of work?

Educating people about consumer product life-cycle to increase producer and consumer responsibility

5. What do you do at home to maintain a “green” lifestyle?

My green lifestyle activities include recycling, reusing, grasscycling, and using reusable grocery bags and having a mind toward energy conservation.

6. What tips would you give someone wanting to pursue a career in resource management/sustainability?

Get locally involved with your community. It will help you understand your local government and how it translates into nationwide social-economic and environmental issues

7. Who is your favorite author/book?

I love Jane Austin but Lonesome Dove is my favorite book

8.  What is your favorite food?

Pizza

9.  Who has been an inspiration to you in your life?

My grandpa

Below are snippets from a conversation Aaron and I had on January 17^th. Please enjoy!

1.  As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

I was really interested in robotics and neuroscience

2.  What made you decide to pursue a career in resource management/sustainability?

I had, and still have really, a fascination with the idea of transforming waste into something.

3.  What has been your favorite project at RRS?

Georgia Pacific Fiber Recovery Project and Toronto, Ontario MRF Optimization

4.  What do you feel is the next issue(s) on the forefront in our field of work?

Corporations are starting to internalize impeding resource shortages and respond to them.

5. What do you do at home to maintain a “green” lifestyle?

I sustainably manage stormwater and I recently bought a very energy efficient furnace.

6.  What is the most critical resource management concern you have and what should we be doing about it?

Producing packaging that integrates into recycling to create zero waste

7.  What tips would you give someone wanting to pursue a career in resource management/sustainability?

Don’t be afraid around heavy machinery

8.  Who is your favorite author/book?

Kavalier and Clay by Michael Chabon

9. What is your favorite food?

Enchiladas from El Taco de Mexico in Denver, Colorado

10.   Who has been an inspiration to you in your life?

Bernard Amadei  who started Engineers without Borders

I had an opportunity to chat with Marty on January 6^th.  Here is a summary of our conversation.

1.  As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

I wanted to be a truck driver; I was obsessed with trucks!

2.  What made you decide to pursue a career in resource management/sustainability?

I didn’t choose it, I feel like it chose me.  I felt a natural pull towards the political and social change associated with resource management and how it intersected with where the economy was heading.

3. What has been your favorite project at RRS?

The work we did with University of South Carolina. We were involved with every facet of the business. It was a fun, long, deep dive into University work.

I also really enjoy the work we have undertaken with the ecological mapping and zero waste efforts in the City of Flint, Michigan. It has been incredibly fascinating and empowering to watch the redevelopment of the City around a diverse resource base.

4. What do you feel is the next issue(s) on the forefront in our field of work?

Understanding material as part of supply chain

5.  What do you do at home to maintain a “green” lifestyle?

Besides composting food and yard waste and of course recycling, I am in the middle of remodeling my house with reused materials.

6.  What tips would you give someone wanting to pursue a career in resource management/sustainability?

It is important to be well versed and be able to embrace different compelling interests. Be analytical and understand numbers but also be able to think big picture.

7.  Who is your favorite author and/or book?

Inventing for the Environment

8.  What is your favorite food?

Indian or Thai

9.  Who has been an inspiration to you in your life?

My wife

RRS will hire a part-time Intern to assist staff consultants and engineers on a variety of projects including data entry, solid waste planning, collection system management, and program best practices.

Job Responsibilities:

• Assist with client projects while providing innovative and environmentally responsible solutions;
• Assist with solid waste planning and implementation to client projects;
• Provide assistance with waste and recycling analysis, assessment, data entry and management;
• Assist with memo, report and powerpoint generation;
• Database and spreadsheet design and data input;
• Provide research for development of new subject matters and sectors for RRS as well as waste and recycling emerging technologies; and
• Assist with general office tasks and administrative duties including copying, scanning, filing, etc.

Key Qualifications:

• Organized, self-motivated, ability to set work priorities and complete work with minimal supervision.
• Creative problem analysis abilities to solve client multi-dimensional problems and projects.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Access.
• Experience in ArcGIS and AutoCad preferred, but not necessary.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Two-year degree or two years completed in a four-year program in education, economics, natural resources, environmental sciences, environmental policy, engineering, business administration or related field.
• Two years working experience in an environmentally related field is preferred, but not necessary.

Pay Range: $12 – $16 per hour depending on experience and qualifications

Start Date:  Position available immediately. Resource Recycling Systems is an equal opportunity employer.

To Apply:  Interested candidates should submit a cover letter, resume, and list of references. Cover letters should address the candidate’s personal goals and interests, ability to meet key and minimal qualifications (as described above) as well as their experience and interest in solid waste and recycling consulting.  Please submit all materials to Liz Hughes.

Resource Recycling Systems
Attn: Liz Hughes, Executive & HR Administrator
416 Longshore Drive
Ann Arbor, Michigan 48105
734-996-1361 x221
ehughes@recycle.com

While I did not get a chance to personally sit down with Nicole, she graciously took the time to answer the following questions about herself.

1.  As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

An architect or landscape designer

2.  What made you decide to pursue a career in resource management/sustainability?

RRS’ mission very closely resembles my own—local, community-based worked that has immense impact on people and the environment.

3.  What has been your favorite project at RRS?

Ypsilanti Communities Utility Authority (YCUA) waste-water treatment plant biosolids composting project—mix of planning, politics, approvals, permitting, soil science, engineering, building and equipment procurement, construction management, training and operations.  And, the production of a Class A compost!

4.  What do you feel is the next issue(s) on the forefront in our field of work?

Food and energy production solution: community-based organics management—grow, produce, buy local; donate/share food; produce energy and compost from residuals; use energy locally and compost on local farms.

5.  What do you do at home to maintain a “green” lifestyle?

Backyard composting, grow vegetables and herbs in backyard garden, co-initiated our neighborhood edible park, minimize energy and water usage, upgrade home and landscape with green building techniques, buy local and/or organic foods, eat home cooked meals, recycle, donate used goods, shop resale, small/low impact family, live, work, school all within 1.5 miles.

6.  What tips would you give someone wanting to pursue a career in resource management/sustainability?

Broaden your training to include planning and community development, communications, politics, design, economics.  Work or train overseas and/or in any low-income/developing areas to understand cultural and environmental impact that any process (farming, manufacturing, mining, transportation, trade, urban sprawl) has in all different types of communities.

7.  Who is your favorite author and/or book?

Maya Angelou –  All her books, but especially All God’s Children Need Traveling Shoes

8.  What is your favorite snack (or junk food)?

Nuts and dark chocolate; for dessert – Vanilla frozen yogurt with peanuts and chocolate sauce on top.

9.  Who has been an inspiration to you in your life?

My grandmothers, mother, mother-in-law, sisters and daughter for their strength and intelligence.

In continuing with our profiles, I sat down with J.D. on December 15^th to talk with him about his experiences in the organics and biomass energy field.  Below are some snippets from our conversation.

1.  As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

An astronaut.

2.  What made you decide to pursue a career in resource management/sustainability?

I’ve always done environmentally related work but when I needed a job, I looked into RRS. I quickly realized that I really liked what the company was doing and wanted to be a part of their mission.

3.  What has been your favorite project at RRS?

Ypsilanti Community Utilities Authority (YCUA) bio solids project

4.  What do you feel is the next issue(s) on the forefront in our field of work?

We live in a resource constrained world and at some point the people who own waste streams will be rich.

5.  What do you do at home to maintain a “green” lifestyle?

Besides recycling and composting, I fix up old houses and do a fair amount of “dumpster diving”.

6.  What tips would you give someone wanting to pursue a career in resource management/sustainability?

Get a job and really keep your eyes open to how the world works.

7.  Who is your favorite author and/or book?

John Kenneth Galbraith

8.  What is your favorite food?

Chocolate

9.  Who has been an inspiration to you in your life?

My dad.

I sat down with Jim on December 15^th to discuss some of the reasons why Jim entered this field and add some fun tidbits about his personality/life that he wanted to pass along.  Below are some snippets from our conversation.

1.  As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

A lawyer.

2.  What made you decide to pursue a career in resource management/sustainability?

From a very early age, I have always been a compulsive recycler. I worked in a library in college and on my own time, would push a cart around collecting newspapers to recycle. It seemed very natural to turn my passion into a career.

What has been your favorite project at RRS?

Carton Council.  We have worked hard to bring carton recycling to many communities over the past year.  I look forward to expanding more of these strategies and efforts in 2012.

3.  What do you feel is the next issue(s) on the forefront in our field of work?

The development of producer responsibility systems in the U.S., whether it is voluntary or not.

4.  What do you do at home to maintain a “green” lifestyle?

Besides recycling, my family and I are avid composters. It takes some work to set up and care for a backyard composting system but the results are incredibly beneficial. Our system diverts all of our yard wastes and much of our food wastes.  The end product is incredible – my garden has never looked so good!

5.  What is the most critical resource management concern you have and what should we be doing about it?

A major concern for me is global resource use. We need stronger waste reduction and recycling policies, infrastructure and economic incentives.

6.  What tips would you give someone wanting to pursue a career in resource management/sustainability?

Be passionate for the environment and find a way to maintain that passion. This isn’t an easy field to work in, you need passion to sustain and to be successful in your work.

7.  Who is your favorite author and/or book?

The most thought provoking book I’ve ever read is “The End of Nature” by Bill McKibben.

8.  What is your favorite food?

Nachos especially the Christmas nachos I make for my family.

9.  Who has been an inspiration to you in your life?

My father

Over the next couple months, we want to take the opportunity to introduce our staff to you beginning this month with profiles of our company principals, who have been trailblazers in the resource management landscape. As we head into the New Year, we will post profiles of our talented project engineers and consultants who are the work engines that advance our clients programs and projects.  These profiles will provide insight into the motivation and dedication our staff have toward their mission, work and lifestyle.

We hope you enjoy these as much as we did in pulling them together.  We welcome you all to check back and post any questions you may have for our staff. We will do our best to get you all the answers you desire.