The Changing Tide of Recycling’s Future – NERC’s Fall Conference
Agenda Now Posted!

Be part of moving recycling forward with discussions on product stewardship efforts, strategies for moving beyond waste, new organics recycling activities, and developing currents in construction and demolition recycling.  NERC’s Fall 2010 Conference — The Changing Tide of Recycling’s Future — will take place on November 3 & 4 at the Hotel Northampton in Northampton, Massachusetts.  The agenda is now available.

The keynote presentation will be made by Scott Cassel, Executive Director and Founder, Product Stewardship Institute.  Mr. Cassel will address the factors leading to the abundance and acceptance of product stewardship programs in the United States. You will also hear from Michael Alexander, President, Recycle Away  about moving beyond waste. Aramark Corporation will speak about providing socially and environmentally responsible services to clients. 

Also presenting will be Resa Dimino, Special Assistant, Commissioner’s Policy Office, New York Department of Environmental Conservation; Lynne Pledger, Northeast Product Stewardship Organizer, Product Policy Institute; Nelson Widell, Partner, Peninsula Compost Group; and Jeff Willett, Director, Nantucket Department of Public Works.

If you are interested in exhibit space or sponsorship opportunities, don’t hesitate to contact us.

Discounted sleeping rooms are available at the Hotel Northampton by calling 800-547-3529.  The NERC room rate is available only until October 2.

We look forward to seeing you there!  For more information, contact Mary Ann Remolador, NERC Assistant Director and Conference Organizer.

New Guidance for Special Event
Food Waste Diversion

NERC is nearing the completion of a three-year demonstration project for special event food waste diversion.  Funded by an EPA New England Resource Conservation Challenge Grant, the project included conducting food waste diversion pilots in four states: New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Vermont, and Connecticut.  The pilots demonstrated different methodologies for designing and implementing diversion programs for pre- and post-consumer food, as well as compostable service ware, and soiled paper.  The project addressed reuse (food donation) and diversion through composting.

Research and results from the diversion events contributed to the new guidance document now posted on NERC’s Special Event Recycling & Composting Web page.

The Guidance for Special Event Food Waste Diversion is a practical and detailed resource for developing and implementing organics diversion programs.  The guidance document includes several case studies, sample contracts, signage, a food waste management plan template, volunteer training tips, a sample food waste vendor survey and introductory letter, and more.

For additional information contact Athena Lee Bradley, Projects Manager.

Carpet Recycling Infrastructure in the Northeast – Updated

As the national Memorandum of Understanding for Carpet Stewardship is currently being re-examined, it seemed that it would be appropriate to update NERC’s listing of the Carpet Recycling Infrastructure in the Northeast.  Unfortunately, the infrastructure seems to have decreased since this listing was originally created two years ago.  With renewed attention being brought to this issue nationally, let’s hope that we see expanded recycling opportunities emerge in the Northeast region.

For more information, contact Lynn Rubinstein, NERC Executive Director.

Universal Waste Laws in the Northeast – Updated

Since NERC posted its first summary of the Universal Waste laws in the Northeast in 2005, the use of this regulatory strategy for managing difficult materials has expanded significantly. 

Newly updated, the Quick Reference to the NERC States' Universal Waste Rules summarizes the materials addressed by Universal Waste laws in each state, includes hyperlinks to the Universal Waste regulations in the states as well as the key contact person.

For additional information contact Athena Lee Bradley, Projects Manager.