Whether
it is wanting to minimize the impact of your carbon footprint or you just want
to help the Motor
City be clean and green,
there is a ton you can do on this Earth Day and beyond. Sarah Kubik saw that metro
Detroit needed
some leadership in protecting the environment and she founded Recycle Midtown,
Recycle Detroit and is a driving force on Recycle Here. Metromix caught up with
her for this special Earth Day Q&A.
What
influenced you to start Recycle Detroit?
I wanted to create a neighborhood monthly-recycling
collection in downtown Detroit
to educate and host solid waste services for the community. I was inspired
to do this after listening about Michigan's out-state waste issues, Detroit's
incinerator, and living in cities that practice sustainable solid waste management
practices.
Recycle Midtown was created in 2005, a monthly
recycle collection held on Second
Avenue every second Saturday of each month. The
success had led to transform the organization to Recycle
Detroit while bidding on Detroit's
recycling contract. Recycle Detroit and
three other companies who offer waste and recycling services in Detroit joined forces and
created Recycle Here. This company was granted the city of Detroit's recycling
contract in January 2007. This was the first time the contract was turned
over in 17 years.
What
has been the projects largest accomplishment so far?
The city contract, recycling festivals such
as the Dally and Alley and the Jazz Festival in Detroit. This spring and summer 2008 Recycle
Detroit will be helping out with the recycling at the National Brownsfield
conference and (Movement) Detroit’s
Electronic Music Festival.
Where
do you see the future of recycling in Detroit?
A long transition … we will need to have to
experience a paradigm shift, create a new habit of categorizing our
waste. We will have to step away from the "one box mentality"
here in the city and start being responsible consumers and stewards to the land
that we live and share.
What
advice would you give to motivated youth, looking to start their own projects?
Find your passion because it will be your drive
to keep moving. It maybe lonely at times, but it is important to focus on continuing
to live the dreams and visions that will motivate others to follow the lead to
make change.
How
can people volunteer or help out?
Contact volunteer@recycledetroit.com.
