In a state with such diverse communities and populations, a "one size fits all" approach to resource management doesn't serve every community. In an effort to give local communities and businesses a chance to move local and regional topics in the right direction and influence state issues, the MRC in 2016 recruited recycling leaders to gather regional stakeholders and facilitate conversations. The MRC identified and is working to serve eight regions across Michigan. The regions have a goal of meeting quarterly throughout the year with one meeting taking place at the Annual Conference in May. Questions? Contact the MRC!
Tracy Purrenhage
Regional Outreach Committee Chair
BAY/THUMB REGION
THE BAY/THUMB REGION INCLUDES:
- Bay County
- Genesee County
- Huron County
- Lapeer County
- Midland County
- Saginaw County
- Sanilac County
- Shiawassee County
- Tuscola County
Katharine Tessin, Regional Director
Katharine Tessin is the Administrative Director of Mid Michigan Waste Authority, an aurhority with 34 member communities in the greater Saginaw Valley. The MMWA provides its communities with efficient, cost-effective, and convenient curbside collection services, programming, and education.
YOUR NEXT BAY/THUMB REGIONAL MEETING
March 8, 2022 at 1:00 PM
This meeting will be via Zoom. Please click the link below to RSVP.
https://mirc.memberclicks.net/northern-central-region-2022
EAST MICHIGAN REGION
THE EAST MICHIGAN REGION INCLUDES:
- Macomb County
- Oakland County
- St. Clair County
- Wayne County
John Demerjian, Regional Director
John works for Wayne County D.P.S. Land Resource Management Division. He is a Registered Environmental Health Specialist/Registered Sanitarian (R.E.H.S./R.S.). He became involved with the MRC to help the organization, fellow MRC members, and the environment. His superpower is that he can root for the Detroit Lions and believe they can actually win! 
YOUR NEXT EAST MICHIGAN REGIONAL MEETING
March 10, 2022 at 1:00 PM
This meeting will be via Zoom. Please click the link below to RSVP.
MID MICHIGAN REGION
THE MID MICHIGAN REGION INCLUDES:
- Clinton County
- Eaton County
- Gratiot County
- Ingham County
- Isabella County
- Livingston County
Kate Neese, Regional Director
Kate Neese is the Recycling and Waste Management Coordinator for Clinton County. Her department coordinates single day collection events for hard to recycle items, coordinates and promotes recycling programs with municipalities, works collaboratively with surrounding counties, oversees recycling within the county offices and provides waste management & recycling information to the general public. Kate got involved with the MRC when she first began working at the County level in order to network and glean best practices. She continues to be involved with the MRC because it continues to provide the best networking opportunities while advocating for recycling within our state. Many people know her as "Recycling Kate" and she is rather fond of coffee, running, and her happy family (which includes Mr. Neese, two delightfully crazy boys, four fluffy cats, and one anxious wiener dog).
YOUR NEXT MID MICHIGAN REGIONAL MEETING
March 8, 2022 at 1:00 PM
This meeting will be via Zoom. Please click the link below to RSVP.
NORTHERN LOWER PENINSULA REGION
THE NORTHERN LOWER PENINSULA REGION INCLUDES:
- Alcona County
- Alpena County
- Antrim County
- Arenac County
- Benzie County
- Charlevoix County
- Cheboygan County
- Clare County
- Crawford County
- Emmet County
- Gladwin County
- Grand Traverse County
- Iosco County
- Kalkaska County
- Lake County
- Leelanau County
- Manistee County
- Mason County
- Missaukee County
- Montmorency County
- Ogemaw County
- Osceola County
- Oscoda County
- Otsego County
- Presque Isle County
- Roscommon County
- Wexford County
Nick Beadleston, Regional Director
Nick's eclectic background - which includes journalism, social enterprise leadership, and military service - has precisely prepared him to help guide purpose-driven businesses by scouting the path ahead for obstacles and helping create plans to avoid them.
Nick is a founding partner at Good Impacts. Good Impacts helps mission-driven business leaders, entrepreneurs, and changemakers connect with the resources, support, and communities needed to grow businesses, scale solutions, and deepen positive impacts.
YOUR NEXT NORTHERN LOWER PENINSULA REGIONAL MEETING
March 8, 2022 at 1:00 PM
This meeting will be via Zoom. Please click the link below to RSVP.
UPPER PENINSULA REGION
THE UPPER PENINSULA REGION INCLUDES:
- Alger County
- Baraga County
- Chippewa County
- Delta County
- Dickinson County
- Gogebic County
- Houghton County
- Iron County
- Keweenaw County
- Luce County
- Mackinac County
- Marquette County
- Menominee County
- Ontonagon County
- Schoolcraft County
Brad Austin, Regional Director
Brad is the Director of Marquette County Solid Waste Management Authority. You can see Brad talk about his latest meeting here!
YOUR NEXT UPPER PENINSULA REGIONAL MEETING
March 8, 2022 at 1:00 PM
This meeting will be via Zoom. Please click the link below to RSVP.
SOUTHEAST MICHIGAN REGION
THE SOUTHEAST MICHIGAN REGION INCLUDES:
- Hillsdale County
- Jackson County
- Lenawee County
- Monroe County
- Washtenaw County
Justin Jungman, Regional Director
Justin Jungman is the co-director of the Southeast Region of the MRC. Justin has worked in the recycling industry within Michigan for the last 16 years. In that time, Justin has helped recycle batteries, electronics, paper, plastic, and cardboard. His career in recycling has always been with Michigan-based companies, and he's been involved with the MRC throughout his time in recycling. When he's not promoting recycling, Justin enjoys golf, fishing, and spending time with his wife and two children.
YOUR NEXT SOUTHEAST MICHIGAN REGIONAL MEETING
March 10, 2022 at 1:00 PM
This meeting will be via Zoom. Please click the link below to RSVP.
SOUTHWEST MICHIGAN REGION
THE SOUTHWEST MICHIGAN REGION INCLUDES:
- Allegan County
- Barry County
- Berrien County
- Branch County
- Calhoun County
- Cass County
- Kalamazoo County
- St. Joseph County
- Van Buren County
Samantha Buterbaugh, Regional Director
Samantha started Biz Aid, LLC in Coldwater, Michigan when she was 26 years old. At that time, she didn't even want to touch the cardboard, but now, with endless possibilities, she fulfilled her dreams of being an entrepreneur and growing her business to help support recycling in her area. Biz Aid, LLC has goals to help increase commercial, as well as residential recycling, within Branch County. Biz Aid, LLC wants to see more support for local level recycling - they want counties to get people to focus on what is happening with our solid waste.
YOUR NEXT SOUTHWEST MICHIGAN REGIONAL MEETING
March 10, 2022 at 1:00 PM
This meeting will be via Zoom. Please click the link below to RSVP.
WEST MICHIGAN REGION
THE WEST MICHIGAN REGION INCLUDES:
- Ionia County
- Kent County
- Mecosta County
- Montcalm County
- Muskegon County
- Newaygo County
- Oceana County
- Ottawa County
Chad Kuipers, Regional Director
Chad Kuipers runs Goodwill’s Industrial Services Division, which operates two manufacturing facilities, one in Muskegon and one in Holland. These facilities provide outsourcing services such as packaging and assembly to a variety of areas and are ISO 9001:2015 certified. The division provides paid work training for people with disabilities, as well as ex-offenders enrolled in Goodwill’s various skill-building programs. Goodwill was recently awarded an EGLE grant to jump start their Sustainability Center which gives work to their Ignite program for individuals between the age of 18-24 who have been touched by the criminal justice system.
Chad attended Cornerstone University and holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree. He is a Planning Commissioner for Fruitland Township and also serves on the Community Corrections Advisory Board in Ottawa County, assisting with civil rights and social action projects.
YOUR NEXT WEST MICHIGAN REGIONAL MEETING
March 10, 2022 at 1:00 PM
This meeting will be via Zoom. Please click the link below to RSVP.