Suffolk Reporter

Stony Brook University has appointed Michael E. White as the interim director of The Waste Reduction and Management Institute (WRMI), part of the School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences (SoMAS). Dean Paul Shepson oversees this institute.

White, an adjunct faculty lecturer at SoMAS, also works with Winters Bros. Waste Systems of Long Island, LLC, recently acquired by Waste Management of New York. His previous roles include director of government affairs for Tunnel Hill Partners LLC. He is an attorney specializing in environmental law and related fields and owns LI Strategies, Inc., a consulting firm.

In his new role, White will manage WRMI's efforts to tackle waste issues on Long Island. The region faces challenges such as high per capita waste generation and limited disposal capacity. WRMI aims to reduce waste impact through research, education, and policy recommendations.

"Stony Brook greatly values its role in the Long Island communities it serves," said Richard L. McCormick, interim president of Stony Brook University. "We are thrilled to welcome Michael White in his new role."

Dean Shepson expressed confidence in White's leadership: "I am delighted that WRMI and Stony Brook will have the expert leadership of Michael White."

White shared his enthusiasm for addressing waste management challenges: "The WRMI is creating an action plan to address challenges related to Long Island waste."

WRMI recently received a $250,000 Regional Solid Waste Management Planning Grant from New York State through the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). This grant supports assessing solid waste practices on Long Island.

The institute was established by the New York State Legislature in 1985 and plans to expand its impact with a reestablished Advisory Board.

Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine congratulated White on his appointment: “I congratulate Michael White on being appointed as interim director.”

Kevin Law praised the decision: “Michael White is a terrific choice to run the WRMI.”

Rich Schaffer commended White’s experience: “I’ve known and worked with Michael for almost four decades.”

Matt Cohen emphasized the importance of effective waste management: “Waste management is an issue on Long Island impacting our environment but also our economy.”