Thoughts about NERC and Recycling

August 21, 2012

Mike Giuranna, Solid Waste Specialist, with EPA Region 3 Office of Materials Management, continues our series of guest blogs by people who have been influential in NERC's 25 year history.

Here's what he has to say:

When did you first become involved with NERC and how long were you actively involved?
In 1997 when I moved into Solid Waste Program with EPA, Region III in Philadelphia.

How did you first get involved with NERC?
Attended a NERC meeting, I believe in Atlantic City, NJ. Was also involved with an EPA Grant to NERC.

What were you "doing" then, and what you're doing now?
Working with EPA, Region III in Solid Waste, landfills and recycling /composting, and I'm still doing the same thing.

What are some of your fondest memories of NERC?
The meetings, some of the discussions on Solid Waste topics, networking with NERC staff and State and local solid waste people were always interesting.

What do you consider to be NERC's greatest strengths? Greatest achievements?
Their greatest strengths are their professional staff and their network of contacts in Solid Waste matters. I believe their work with the Environmental Benefits Calculator to be very important and their work with State recycling measurement and paper and electronics and C&D recycling to be most important.

What role do you see NERC as having played in the recycling industry?
It was there early on in the late 80's/early 90's recycling programs, getting information to a lot of State, Federal and local recycling professional that made it easier for them to do their jobs effectively.

What are the most pressing issues facing the recycling industry today and in the next five years?
There's still way too much waste being generated. Either bottle bills/EPR or Pay-as-You-Throw type programs need to be implemented, to reduce or eliminate the large amount of useful materials being discarded.

What role do you think NERC should play in addressing those issues?
The same role they've always played educating and creating the opportunities for networking among Solid Waste Professionals and legislative bodies who can make these changes effective. Studying ways to reduce wastes, such as in their recent forum on mattress recycling and circulating their findings to the recycling community.

Guest Blogs represent the opinion of the writer and may not reflect the policy or position of the Northeast Recycling Council, Inc.