If there is a king of green jobs in Detroit, then there is a good chance that title belong to
Matthew Naimi.
Naimi is a partner in Recycle Here, which handles the city's recycling, and Michigan Green Safe Products, a biodegradable products supplier. Both businesses are run out of an old industrial building just north of Woodbridge. They employ 16 people collectively.
Recycle Here is the contractor that is primarily responsible for the current wave of momentum behind Detroit's increased recycling efforts. When it first started operations four years ago, it took in 400,000 pounds of recyclable material. Last year Recycle Here helped process 1.4 million pounds of material. It has processed 4.2 million pounds in four years, with an average of 1.2 million pounds per year.
That success has also allowed Recycle Here to greatly improve its home base on Holden Avenue. The once stereotypical Rustbelt factory/warehouse is now awash with activity, rubbish turned recyclables and bright, sprawling murals.
"As traffic has increased so has our interaction with local artists, which we have been able to tap into with some murals and other pieces of art," Naimi says.
Michigan Green Safe Products has been brightening up its own financial prospects, too. The four-person firm has expanded both its product line and staff. It hired one person in February and expects to hire 1-2 more this year. They've also added new products, such as biodegradable plastic bottled water.
"The green and eco-friendly movement has become stronger," says Steve Harworth, president and partner in
Michigan Green Safe Products. "We have added some large accounts, like Henry Ford Hospital in West Bloomfield. We add a new restaurant every week."
The company now has 125 customers, prompting double-digit revenue growth. Revenues were up 40 percent in 2009 and are up 35 percent so far this year.
Source: Matt Naimi, partner with Recycle Here and Michigan Green Safe Products and Steve Harworth, president and partner in Michigan Green Safe Products
Writer: Jon Zemke
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