Mike MacKay is a trailblazing visionary and globally recognized authority in aerosol recycling, with over 27 years of hands-on expertise transforming one of the world’s most challenging waste streams into sustainable solutions. As co-founder and Managing Director of DeSpray Environmental B.V., Mike has pioneered cutting-edge technologies that capture 100% of liquids, gases, and metals from aerosol cans, holding four global patents that have revolutionized recycling efficiency and safety. His relentless drive has not only redefined industry standards but also forged partnerships across continents, including collaborations with major players like GDB International to integrate advanced recycling into spray paint remanufacturing, and a 2025 strategic alliance with FREEE Recycle Limited to launch the innovative “Food Fuel” initiative, converting aerosol waste propellants and residuals into sustainable cooking fuels to address one of Africa,s main household health risks by replacing cancer causing contaminated cooking fuels with clean, healthy energy.
In March 2024, Mike was honored with the prestigious Global Recycling Hero Award by the Global Recycling Foundation in London, U.K., celebrating his groundbreaking contributions to sustainable aerosol management amid the production of 16 billion cans annually. As Founder and Executive Director of the non-profit Global Aerosol Recycling Association (GARA), he unites industry leaders, regulators, and innovators to bridge critical knowledge gaps through tailored programs, safety certifications, and training courses. These initiatives promote practical, scalable recycling practices worldwide, addressing barriers like curbside program failures and VOC emissions, while preparing for and aligning with global regulations such as the EU’s new Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR).
Mike’s aerosol journey began in 1998 with the development of the world’s first fully integrated aerosol recycling system, evolving into DeSpray’s unmatched solution of explosion-proof, Lloyd’s-certified machines that are recognised and deployed globally. A prolific thought leader, he has authored influential articles in outlets like Recycling Product News, World Aerosols, and Recycling Inside, challenging the status quo on topics from aerosol gas conversion to biogas to the hard realities of safety in recycling—including recent 2025 pieces on driving industry-wide change, why curbside programs fail aerosols, and overcoming global safety barriers. His unyielding advocacy confronts industries and consumers alike on the environmental toll of unrecycled aerosols, with a clear mission: “ The true benchmark of our industry’s success will be empowering the public through education while scaling aerosol recycling worldwide to profoundly minimize our environmental impact on the planet”.