Close Up: Get to know a local 'Super Recycling Man'

Around The Heritage Center, long-time employee Alan Steel is a superhero of sorts.

He moved to Virginia Beach in the late 1980s and has worked at the Oceanfront holistic center for almost two decades. Fellow employees dubbed him Super Recycling Man for his efforts to reuse and recycle.

"I'm sure people are doing more than I am in this city and in the world," Steel said, "but this is my small part."

He ensures that all the usual suspects get recycled - paper, plastic, glass, etc. - but he also reuses single-side paper from various sources, such as The Heritage's newsletters.

He described a reuseable notepad he devised from two boards and a few screws that he fills with scratch paper. And when he reorders office supplies, "they know who's doing the ordering," he said, because the notices for requests are sent office wide on reused, single-side paper.

Steel admitted he once felt frustrated by people who appeared less conscientious about recycling than he, but now he's determined not "to knock people over the head with it."

"I share what I know. Some people are interested, some aren't - you can't change the world, you can only change yourself."

Full name  Alan Steel

Neighborhood  Cape Story

Hometown  Manhattan, New York City, N.Y.

Age  70

Nickname  Man of Steel

Marital status  Married to Marcia ; 11 years

Pets  Cat named Happy

Occupation  Receptionist/clerk

Education  High school

Community service  Facilitate a course in miracles group and a dream-study group

Church affiliation  Unity Renaissance Church

What do you love most about your job? Co-workers and customers.

What difficulties do you face in your job? When my phone is not working properly.

When did recycling first become a priority for you? Seeing Shore Drive being littered.

Are there any drawbacks or challenges to being an avid recycler? Most people will not recycle unless compensation is involved.

Why is recycling an important activity? Our society is a wasteful society.

What is the biggest misconception when it comes to implementing recycling programs in the office? I'd hoped others would follow my example, but not everyone will.

Describe a perfect day: My wife and I doing something spontaneous.

Favorite gadget: iPhone

Favorite movies: "The Ten Commandments, " "Star Trek" (all of them)

Favorite Virginia Beach restaurant: The Heritage Cafe

An author you'd recommend: Deepak Chopra

Pet peeve: Drivers throwing garbage out of car windows.

Hobbies: Sci-fi movies.

Describe yourself in two words: Caring person.

Comfort food: (Something from the) Heritage's ice cream freezer.

A favorite TV show from the past: "Star Trek: The Next Generation "

Something you've done that others might not expect of you: Helped someone secretly.

If you could invite three famous people (living or dead) to dinner, who would they be? Moses, Edgar Cayce, Abraham Lincoln

Favorite place to go for quiet reflection: Within (and the) meditation room at the Heritage.

Personal motto: Do the best you can with what you have.

Three recycling tips you'd like to share: 1) Teach children to recycle; 2) learn what you can do; 3) reuse blank side of used paper.