The Metropolitan Environmental Trust has a new man in charge.
Graham Brannin took over Monday as the recycling organization’s executive director after nearly 20 years in environmental compliance and sustainability with the City of Tulsa.
He said growing up on a Tulsa creek and learning how to recycle at 10 years old helped push him in this direction.
"I've been involved in environmental issues my whole life, and what a great place to have an opportunity to work, where they've been at the forefront of environmental stewardship for well over 20 years," Brannin said.
Recycling will remain the M.e.t.’s primary focus.
"We can always do better, and we need to be able to touch different folks that maybe we haven't quite really gotten through to," Brannin said.
The new executive director is formulating some big plans as well.
"We need to also look at the whole green package, which includes more than just recycling," Brannin said. "I think Tulsa's ready to move the ball forward in the environmental stewardship area, so I think this is the time to do that."
The M.e.t.’s former executive director, Michael Patton, took a position with Land Legacy in May. That group’s mission is to conserve, enhance and restore land and water.
The M.e.t. was established in 1987 and operates 11 recycling centers in the Tulsa area. Those recycling centers provide jobs for people with disabilities.
The M.e.t. also offers ways for people to dispose of household hazardous waste, including batteries and electronics.
