Northeast Recycling Council

NERC is a non-profit organization that conducts research, hands-on projects, training, and outreach on issues associated with source reduction, recycling, composting, environmentally preferable purchasing, and decreasing the toxicity of the solid waste stream.

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NERC’s vision is a world in which waste is minimized and natural resources are conserved.

Its mission is to minimize waste, conserve natural resources, and advance a sustainable economy through facilitated collaboration and action.

As part of its mission, NERC administers and supports several programs.
See program links below.

NERC's Webinar Series

Bottle Bills--Benefits & Challenges - Webinar Recording, Presentations & Handout.

Webinar 2 in Series - U.S. Regulatory Approaches for Packaging, September 11, 1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. (EST). Register Here

The US Regulatory Approaches for Packaging webinar will provide insight into the different approaches states are taking to address packaging. Cole Rosengren, Senior Editor of Waste Dive, will provide an overview of the different strategies states have proposed across the nation to deal with packaging and how industry groups have responded. Cole will also focus in on the Northeast states specific approaches and their status. Heidi Sanborn, Executive Director of the National Stewardship Action Council, will present California’s proposed strategies and the steps they have incorporated into their proposed approach. In addition, Sarah Lakeman, Sustainable Maine Project Director of the Natural Resources Council of Maine, will present the specifics of Maine’s proposed strategies and their intended outcomes.

Webinar 3 in Series - Packaging EPR - Canada & Europe - Date to be determined.

NERC Fall '19 Conference Registration & Agenda Now Available

You can now access the Agenda and Registration for NERC's Fall Conference. We're sure you'll be excited once you see what we have planned.

New Leadership Elected for the Northeast Recycling Council

The Board of Directors of the Northeast Recycling Council (NERC) has elected a new leadership team, effective July 1.

Leadership Team: Kaley Laleker, Maryland Department of the Environment has been re-elected as the President; Robert Isner, Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection has been elected as Vice President; and Rick Watson, Delaware Solid Waste Authority has been re-elected as the Treasurer.

NERC Signatory to Call to Action - Mandatory Recycled Content in Plastic Bags

NERC has become a signatory to an urgent call for government action requiring recycled content in plastic bags. To date, 27 organizations have become signatories. The industry-led Recycle More Bags coalition proposes using legislative action and procurement policy to drive demand for a minimum of 20% post-consumer recycled content in some types of plastic bags by 2025.

"The Northeast Recycling Council is honored to support this important initiative. We are particularly excited that it is industry led. Demand for recycled content is at the heart of successful recycling, as well as the thousands of jobs that are dependent upon it,” reported Lynn Rubinstein, NERC Executive Director.

NERC Events

Learn about NERC's fall conference and spring workshop, as well as presentations from past events.
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NERC Blog

New blogs are posted weekly on substantive topics related to materials management. Visit the blog to see what's new
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NERC Resources

The NERC website offers a wealth of information, resources, and tools to support materials management; in the region and nationally.
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NERC Membership

Support NERC and be recognized for your commitment to the advancement of an environmentally sustainable economy.
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Quick Links

NERC's listserv for Advancing Organics Management in the Northeast

This unique listserv is an opportunity to share information about what’s happening with organics management. It is open to anyone interested in advancing organics diversion in the Northeast. Learn more at the Organics Listserv website.

Toxics in Packaging Clearinghouse (TPCH)

TPCH supports the implementation of toxics in packaging laws and the reduction of heavy metals in the waste stream on behalf of its member states.
Learn more at the TPCH website

The State Electronics Challenge (SEC)

The SEC encourages state, regional, and local governments to purchase greener computers, reduce the impacts of computer use, and manage obsolete computers in an environmentally safe way.
Learn more at the SEC website

Electronics Recycling Coordination Clearinghouse (ERCC)

ERCC provides a forum for information exchange among state agencies implementing electronics recycling laws and all impacted stakeholders.
Learn more at the ERCC website

NERC’s Environmentally Preferable Products Procurement Listserv (EPPnet)

EPPnet links federal, state, and local environmental officials, and private procurement specialists charged with purchasing green products and services and developing policies for the procurement of these products.
Learn more here