February 2017
NERC’s Advisory Members
Distinguished Benefactors
Benefactors
Sustaining Members
A list of all the logos of our Sustaining Members can be found under Advisory Members
NEW & RENEWING MEMBERSHIPS
New Sustaining Members
New Supporting Member
Renewing Sustaining Members
Member Spotlight - BAG TO EARTH
NERC NEWS
- FULL SPEED AHEAD—Theme for NERC’s Spring Conference
- 30th Anniversary Planning Committee Led by NERC Advisory Members
- NERC Remembered - Quotes from Friends
- State Electronics Challenge - Almost 10 Years Old & Still Growing
NEWLY POSTED
STATE NEWS
MASSACHUSETTS
- Commonwealth’s Food Waste Reduction Initiative Creates 900 Jobs, $175 Million of Economic Activity
- MassDEP Launches Recycling IQ Kit to Help Reduce Contamination in Municipal Recycling Stream
NEW YORK
ADVISORY MEMBER NEWS
- Maine Recycling and Solid Waste Conference & Trade Show - Keynote Announced
- After Study, Recycling Authority Decides Against Switch to Single Stream
- Sustainable Purchasing Leadership Council Annual Summit
- Delivering More Than Beverages
- ISRI Transportation Safety Awards Entry Period Now Open
- New ISRI Study Reveals Public’s Perception on Recycling
NEW & RENEWING MEMBERSHIPS
Membership is key to NERC's regional and national commitment to sustainable materials management. We are delighted to welcome two new Sustaining Members - BAG TO EARTH and Strategic Materials. Also joining NERC as a Supporting Member is the Sustainable Packaging Coalition. It is wonderful to see NERC membership expanding in our 30th year!
In addition to new members, we are delighted to thank renewing Supporting Members - Professional Recyclers of Pennsylvania (PROP) and RSE USA.
To see a complete listing of NERC's Members and Supporters, as well as the benefits of membership, visit the NERC Advisory Membership web page.
The broad spectrum of interests represented by NERC's Advisory Members, Individual Supporters, and Board Members and their willingness to participate significantly contribute to the unique and important role that NERC plays in recycling in the region.
For more information, contact Lynn Rubinstein, Executive Director.
Member Spotlight - BAG TO EARTH
BAG TO EARTH’s corporate goal is to help the growing number of househol
ds and communities that are diverting food scrap and organic waste by providing compostable paper food and yard waste bags to complete the organics loop. For more than 60 years, the Canadian-owned and operated company has been manufacturing Kraft paper packaging products for a variety of industries. Today, BAG TO EARTH is in the forefront of providing compostable paper bags to the waste diversion industry and consumers.
BAG TO EARTH, the Planet, and NERC
“At BAG TO EARTH, we are committed to providing products that will enrich both our existence and the environment,” observed Director of Manufacturing, George Colgan. “Our mission is to be an industry leader in providing our customers with responsible packaging. We ensure that our raw materials complete the organic loop—from food scraps to composting to soil.”
“Our dedication to working collaboratively with municipalities and processors has helped us become an industry leader in Canada – and we are now expanding into the United States,” he said. “Joining NERC is a step on this path to expand our presence into the Northeast and outward to the rest of the country.”
“As an environmental packaging company, we strive to ensure that our policy of purchasing and use of paper assists and contributes to the long term goals of reducing and ending worldwide deforestation,” Mr. Colgan continued. “Our aim is for the implementation and support of strong forest management practices. Moreover, it is the policy of our company, whenever the manufacturing end user application determines it, that recycled content be used.”
It’s in the BAG
BAG TO EARTH’s food scrap collection bags are certified compostable. All materials that 
are used to make the bags—paper, glue and vegetable-based inks—are fully compostable. The clear lining in the company’s food waste bags is cellulose: this leak-resistant and odor-proof cellulose liner is made from 100% natural fibers, is GMO free, and is designed to compost fully into the earth. The company’s motto is to make it easy for households to participate in the “right organic waste cycle” by effectively diverting organic food and yard trimmings from the landfill to composting or anaerobic digestion operations.
The bags are sturdy enough to stand alone on a counter or under a kitchen sink. The bags are also designed to fit all standard kitchen food scrap collection containers. To see the BAG TO EARTH compostable bag in action check out this video.
BAG TO EARTH compostable bags are designed to facilitate greater participation in food scrap diversion programs because of its ease for use and its strength and moisture resistant characteristics. Compost operators are also assured that since it is made entirely of paper and is certified compostable, the bags readily degrade in the compost process and add valuable carbon for improving the initial carbon to nitrogen ratio. The compostable bags can be collected and processed efficiently and cost effectively. The bags help absorb moisture of food waste during collection; and they breathe, allowing for aerobic conditions and thus helping control odor emissions during composting. The bag will also effectively compost in home composting systems.
Building Effective Partnerships
“As a company we are committed to helping cities and their residents divert their food scraps easily and cleanly,” stated Mr. Colgan. “Our compostable paper food waste bags, with a cellulose liner, are designed to be strong and moisture resistant, makes them a great fit for the composting processes used in any region.”
BAG TO EARTH strives to build partnerships to help complete the organics loop. The company will work with municipalities to develop promotional programs for their food scrap diversion initiatives.
The company has developed numerous partnerships with municipalities in Canada. In the United States, BAG TO EARTH has partnered with Global Green USA in the Bay Area on a pilot food scrap collection program at multi-family dwellings in Albany, California. The company has also partnered with Stop Waste, a public agency responsible for reducing the waste stream, in Alameda County, California.
With food scrap diversion on the rise in the Northeast and elsewhere in the United States, BAG TO EARTH’s paper food waste bags are sure to be on store shelves everywhere in the near future!
NERC NEWS
FULL SPEED AHEAD—Theme for NERC’s Spring Conference
At NERC’s Spring Conference—Full Speed Ahead—we’ll be discussing issues that relate to shifting gears effectively to deal with today’s recycling market demands. Our country’s interest in product development and consumption and our ever-growing population continues to heighten the pressures on recycling systems. The Conference will present sessions on topics considered to be the most important for moving recycling forward and moving beyond the barriers they may present. They include:
- Packaging Changes & Impact on Diversion
- Hitting the Contamination Problem
- Importance of Partnerships
- Contracting for Success in a Changing World
- What Else High Performing Communities Can Do
In addition to the traditional presentations, NERC will also showcase a flash panel to present concise presentations by a group of people in a limited timeframe. And the Conference will include a special lunch for NERC’s Advisory Members, a social hour, and will be followed by NERC’s Board Meeting.
Conference Dates: March 15 – 16, 2017
Conference Location: Sheraton Burlington Hotel in Burlington, Vermont
Contact Mary Ann Remolador, NERC's Event Organizer, if you have any questions about the Conference.
Gold Sponsors
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Bronze Sponsors
30th Anniversary Planning Committee Led by NERC Advisory Members
In its 30th year, NERC is being assisted by a team of Advisory Members to help plan the ways in which the year-long event will be recognized. Planning Committee members are:
- Jaclyn Hochreiter, Addison County Solid Waste Management District (ACSWMD) (Vermont)
- Peter Schirk, BHS-Sonthofen Inc.
- Al Sabino, Casella Resource Solutions
- Joanne Shafer, Centre County Recycling & Refuse Authority (Pennsylvania)
- Christine Cassidy, Dart
- Matt Krug, hibu, publisher of Yellowbook
- Debra Darby, Organix Solutions
- David Aldridge, Southeastern Connecticut Regional Resource Recovery Authority (SCRRRA)
Thank you to each of them for their enthusiasm and guidance.
We welcome participation by anyone that is interested. Contact Lynn Rubinstein, NERC Executive Director for more information (or to offer ideas).
NERC Remembered - Quotes from Friends
In honor of its anniversary many friends from the years are sending in quotes and memories. Here are a few we've already received:
Founding Director of NERC, Shelley Dresser
"Recycling as we now know it did not exist 30 years ago. In its infancy NERC focused on developing and stimulating markets for recyclables, developing laws for statewide recycling programs, examining the waste stream, and considering the economic and environmental opportunities for recycling. We have come a long way. Change never comes easily, but thanks to the commitment of many state officials and EPA, NERC managed to work as a catalyst for change. The many states working together provided a greater incentive for voluntary change. Working toward compatible regional regulations made the change more cost effective for all involved. Kudos to the Northeast States for their thoughtful, successful, and continued efforts and to the business community that recognized the value in recycling. It was an exciting time in the world of recycling and I was delighted to be a part of it."
Dylan de Thomas, The Recycling Partnership
"NERC is an important resource to stay involved and engaged in wide-ranging recycling issues nationally, regionally, state-to-state and municipality-to-municipality. From the experts they have on staff to those they gather at their twice-annual meetings, NERC is necessary and needed – here’s to thirty more, Lynn, Mary Ann, Athena Lee and Robert!"
Kent Foerster, EPA
"As a Midwestern state policy wonk, I always looked to NERC for their collaboration, research and leadership. In the 1990's, NERC was in the forefront on recycling jobs, recycling market development, and environmentally preferred procurement. In the 2000's, it was organics, food, electronics, packaging, and pharmaceuticals. During my years of public service, NERC was always there; helping not only the Northeast but many of us across the nation. Each of us trying to help each other make a difference with solid science, quality research and metrics, and most of all, collaborating to figure out what works."
Steve Long, Director of Government Relations, The Nature Conservancy in Massachusetts, Former Massachusetts Board Member
“NERC provides a regional forum and voice for states to collaborate and share lessons learned for sustainable materials management that provide benefits to the economy, communities and the environment. I remain in touch with several people I met through NERC and we continue to make a difference for a brighter future.”
Tom Houska (retired and finally a professional musician), Former Delaware Board Member
"Amazing that NERC is celebrating the 30th Anniversary! Congratulations to everyone for (1) doing such a great job over the years and (2) persevering!! That was a long time ago when I was involved (I was at DSWA for 16 years and left there in 2006). I appreciated the fact that NERC listened to all points of view and provided a great platform for discussion and action. I do remember some of those discussions got a bit testy (I know I had nothing to do with that) but always ended up with a good direction for NERC implement. So congratulations and another 30+ years of service!"
Feel free to send in a quote and help us celebrate! Lynn Rubinstein, NERC Executive Director.
State Electronics Challenge - Almost 10 Years Old & Still Growing
In September of this year the State Electronics Challenge (SEC) will celebrate the10th anniversary of the first organization signing up to participate (a Partner).
The SEC began as a New England pilot project and welcomed its first Partner on September 13, 2007. Since then it has become national in scope and currently there are 166 Partners from 39 states and the District of Columbia; collectively employing more than 218,500. Oklahoma became the most recent state to participate, with Oklahoma State University - Center for Health Sciences joining in early January. A complete list of Partners is available on the SEC website.
For more information about the SEC or becoming involved, contact Lynn Rubinstein, Program Manager.
The SEC is sponsored by Samsung, Panasonic, and the R2/RIOS.
NEWLY PostedBest Operational Practices for Recycling Drop-off Operations
Best Operational Practices for Recycling Drop-off Operations was developed by NERC for the Illinois Recycling Association. The guide covers all aspects of operating a drop-off recycling center, including: site design/expansion considerations, administration, containers, maintenance, security, safety, and more. All “traditional” recyclables are covered—metal cans and scrap metals, plastic bottles, glass bottles and jars, and paper.
Recommended procedures for collecting used electronics, textiles, reusable items, universal wastes, household hazardous waste, and used tires at drop-off centers is also covered. The guide also contains cases studies, emergency preparedness forms, and a resource listing. While the guide was developed for Illinois and contains regulatory specifics for Illinois, it is a resource that can be effectively used by anyone interested in best operational practices for drop-off centers.
For more information contact Athena Lee Bradley.
STATE NEWS
MASSACHUSETTS
Commonwealth’s Food Waste Reduction Initiative Creates 900 Jobs, $175 Million of Economic Activity
The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) has issued a report which found that the Massachusetts Commercial Food Waste Ban has created more than 900 jobs and stimulated $175 million in economic activity across the Commonwealth during the first two years of the ban. Implemented by MassDEP in 2014, the nation's first food waste and organics ban requires any commercial organization that disposes of one ton or more a week of food waste to pull it out of the waste stream and reuse it, send it for composting or animal feed operations or use it in an anaerobic digestion facility that produces renewable energy.
The report, conducted by ICF International, Inc. of Cambridge, assessed the economic development benefits of food waste reduction initiatives. The study compared jobs and economic activity among food waste haulers; composting, anaerobic digestion, and animal feed operations; and food rescue organizations before and after the October 1, 2014 implementation of MassDEP's innovative commercial organics waste ban. The ban creates jobs by driving a market for alternatives to disposing of food waste in the trash.
The study, commissioned by the Baker-Polito Administration, shows that food waste haulers and processors, as well as food rescue organizations, employ 500 people directly, while supporting more than 900 jobs when accounting for indirect and induced effects. These sectors generate more than $46 million of labor income and $175 million in economic activity in the Commonwealth.
Based on the survey results, Massachusetts haulers are collecting an estimated 270,000 tons of food materials annually, showing tremendous growth over Massachusetts' baseline estimate of 100,000 tons of food waste diversion prior to implementation of the commercial organics waste ban. Jobs in this sector grew by 150 percent between 2010 and 2015, and these businesses project an additional 50 percent job growth from 2016 to 2017.
Not only has the industry grown substantially from 2010 to 2016, but food scrap haulers and processors are planning significant additional growth in facility and equipment expenditures in the year ahead, with more than $50 million in additional expenditures planned for 2016 and 2017.
The Commonwealth's effort is now "building on the ban" through several initiatives that provide continued technical assistance and guidance to businesses and institutions through MassDEP's RecyclingWorks in Massachusetts program and continued growth in the infrastructure for managing food materials and donating more food to feed people. This is reflected in the projected continued jobs and equipment and capital investments reported on in the study. Approximately 1,700 facilities, including restaurants, hotels and conference centers, universities, supermarkets and food processors, were covered under the ban.
MassDEP Launches Recycling IQ Kit to Help Reduce Contamination in Municipal Recycling Stream
MassDEP is excited to announce the launch of the curbside and drop-off Recycling IQ Kits. The kits are the result of MassDEP’s collaboration with the Recycling Partnership (TRP) to bring together best practices, resources, and effective messaging to Increase the Quality of the recycling stream.
This is not your typical education and outreach campaign! The Recycling IQ Kit encourages enforcement of recycling rules, face-to-face/direct communication with residents, and leaving behind carts with unacceptable materials. The kits give you the tools and step-by-step guidance to get into your community to foster the behavior change needed to reduce contamination.
Recycling IQ Kits include:
- Guidance for engaging with your MRF and hauler
- Instructions and tools for targeted messages
- Tools for tracking and reporting results
- Customizable artwork for education and outreach
- Resources for implementation of direct curbside/drop-off feedback
The Recycling IQ Kit materials were professionally written and designed by TRP to communicate key concepts effectively and can be customized to include your community name. The resources are open source and can be used by municipalities, at their own expense, at any time. We hope that many municipalities will adopt them in order to keep our messaging consistent across the Commonwealth. Artwork is located here. Please also be sure to read this README file in order to learn how to customize the materials to include your community’s information.
NEW YORK
Online Food Clearinghouse is Live!
The New York State Pollution Prevention Institute (NYSP2I) has rolled out its new online Food System Sustainability Clearinghouse (Clearinghouse). This online resource provides 
commercial generators of food waste with all the tools and information needed to start reducing and diverting this waste. The first version, which targets generators of food waste, includes such features as a step-by-step guide to reducing food waste, a self-assessment toolbox, a food waste estimation calculator and an interactive map showing food-related information. The second version of the website is under design now with plans to include information pertaining to food waste haulers and recyclers.
Advisory Member News
Maine Recycling and Solid Waste Conference & Trade Show - Keynote Announced
Maine Resource Recovery Association (MRRA) is pleased to announce that Maine Congresswoman Chellie Pingree will be Keynote speaker at the 24th Annual Maine Recycling and Solid Waste Conference & Trade Show in Rockport, ME on April 24th.
Congresswoman Pingree(D-ME-1) has introduced two pieces of legislation to address the United States’ staggering amount of food waste, HR 4184, the Food Recovery Act, and the Food Date Labeling Act. Her legislation addresses the environmental problems, billions in economic costs, and lost opportunities to help feed the 50 million Americans who are food insecure.
She will be joined in highlighting this year’s theme, “Forging Ahead: Maine’s Sustainable Future,” by other nationally recognized speakers including Scott Cassel, President and Founder of the Product Stewardship Institute, Anna Elenore Roosevelt, President and CEO of Goodwill NNE, and Dr. Cynthia Isenhour, Assistant Professor of Anthropology at the University of Maine.
The two-day event will be held April 24-25 at the Samoset Resort in Rockport, ME with a vendor and welcome reception on Sunday, April 23rd. Municipal officials, industry experts, solid waste professionals and over 35 vendors will gather for education, networking and exhibits.
Plan to attend Maine's only integrated conference for the Recycling & Solid Waste Industry.
Vendor and Sponsorship packets are available online. Registration will open in February.
For more information, please go to www.mrra.net or call 942-6772.
After Study, Recycling Authority Decides Against Switch to Single Stream
After a year-long study, the Centre County Recycling & Refuse Authority (Pennsylvania) has decided against switching their program to Single Stream. The study looked at three aspects: single-stream collection of recyclables, single-stream processing of recyclables and the current rate structure. When the report was completed, the authority’s board decided to continue with source-separated recycling rather than switching to single stream.
For additional information, please contact Joanne Shafer at 814-238-7005, or by e-mail.
Sustainable Purchasing Leadership Council Annual Summit
The Sustainable Purchasing Leadership Council’s (SPLC) annual Summit brings together 400+ visionary purchasing and sustainability professionals, suppliers, and NGO experts from diverse sectors and regions in order to share, simplify, and spread the best sustainable purchasing practices across the whole economy.
The 2016 Summit brought together 350 professionals from more than 230 organizations.
All case studies meeting our quality and completeness criteria will earn an Outstanding Case Study Award. All submissions due by March 10, 2017.
Leadership Awards for Organizations
SPLC's Leadership Awards recognize organizations that have demonstrated or actively supported the kind of leadership envisioned in SPLC’s Principles for Leadership in Sustainable Purchasing. The Leadership and Outstanding Case Study Awards are based on case studies from candidate organizations.
Leadership Awards for Individuals
New this year, we are soliciting nominations for the SPLC's Individual Leadership Award(s). This Award will recognize one or more individuals whose vision, leadership, and dedicated effort have significantly advanced the sustainable purchasing movement.
BRING YOUR MOST INNOVATIVE IDEAS
-- To the Innovation Accelerator --
Are you interested in joining conversations in which you can innovate with other sustainable purchasing leaders?
Have you developed an innovative practice that could change the world if it were to spread, but you need help figuring out how to spread it?
Do you have an innovative project you’ve been wanting to undertake, but you need to find other participants?
Do you see an area desperately in need of innovation, and you want to explore what can be done with other people who see the same need?
Register for the Summit on or before April 1st to secure the Early Bird registration rate. Be a friend! Tell your peers to plan now to attend too.
SPLC CONNECT
Plan now to attend SPLC Connect, a unique matchmaking event that precedes the opening of the Summit. Registration for this is separate from Summit registration.
Delivering More Than Beverages
It’s a fact that The Coca-Cola Company has one of the largest and most connected supply chain and distribution networks in the world. But, what you may not know is that Coca-Cola uses its network to deliver more than beverages.
Recently, one of the company’s bottling partners – Coca-Cola Northern New England (CCNNE) – learned about a high school in Vermont that needed some help delivering 40 desktop computers to a school in rural Tanzania.
Northfield Middle High School students wanted to donate computers to a school close to their hearts but far from their hometown. Several students had visited Pommerin Secondary School in 2015 during a summer trip with their local Interact Club chapter, an organization that focuses on global service.
“I was deeply impressed by these wonderful kids—twice as many as our school!—and their hard work and curiosity,” said Mike Macijeski, who teaches history in Northfield. “I determined right away to do what we could to help them.”
While in Tanzania, students worked on several community projects and visited Pommerin Secondary School twice – first to get acquainted, then a week later for a class on globalization. The school made quite an impression on the Northfield students, sparking a desire to continue supporting the school and community and helping Pommerin open its own computer lab.
“When I heard Northfield was about to recycle a lab’s worth of older computers to make way for new ones, I contacted Pommerin Headmaster Shadrack Nyaulingo to ask if he would like them,” said Macijeski. “He was thrilled, and our Interact Club jumped in to support.”
Northfield students raised money to ship the computers to Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania’s largest city. The problem? No shipping company could deliver the large load safely to Pommerin from Dar Es Salaam.
But Northfield didn’t give up.
Macijeski recalled enjoying a Coke at a tiny village store while visiting Pommerin, so he contacted CCNNE for help. With more than 250 bottling partners worldwide, Coke’s distribution capabilities – and fleet of trucks – could certainly get the computers to the school. CCNNE helped connect the school to Coca-Cola Kwanza, a bottler in Africa.
“I teach recycling education seminars at Northfield, so we already have a deep connection with the school,” said CCNNE Sustainability Manager Ray Dube. “Coca-Cola’s ability to merge our strong local connections with our vast global network is what makes our system so unique. Our distribution network is helping bring happiness to these schools – all the way from Vermont to Tanzania!”
This summer, the computers began the long journey to Dar Es Salaam. Shortly before Thanksgiving, the computers arrived unscathed to the school. Vince Mwaja, a former Pommerin Secondary School student and friend of Macijeski, volunteered to meet the shipment and ride with the Coca-Cola driver for an entire day to the small town.
“Coca-Cola Kwanza was happy to help deliver the computers as a way to help the community in which we operate,” said Basil Gadzios, managing director of Coca-Cola Kwanza. “The computers will greatly help the children, who are the future generation of Tanzania, improve their knowledge.”
The 40 computers arrived safe and sound along with 1,000 pencils and 750 hats and sunglasses, courtesy of Coca-Cola. The students of Pommerin Secondary School celebrated the arrival as the computers were unloaded from Coke trucks.
“With these computers, the whole world will be brought here to Pommerin,” said Headmaster Shadrack Nyaulingo. “It is truly a dream come to pass and we sincerely thank all who made this possible. We will always cherish this support that has touched our school.”
To learn more about Coca-Cola of Northern New England, Inc. go to Coca-Cola Northern New England (CCNNE) & connect with us on social media!
ISRI Transportation Safety Awards Entry Period Now Open
The entry period is now open for the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries (ISRI) Transportation Safety Awards. The member only awards program, now in its fifth year, includes four awards recognizing outstanding safety records.
The award categories are as follows:
The Best Fleet Awards will be presented to the ISRI member with both the lowest vehicle accident rate and the lowest DOT severity rate for the calendar year 2016 in each of four classes, determined by size.
The Pacesetter Awards will be granted to the ISRI member with the best 36-month accident record in each of four classes, determined by size.
The Safe Driver of the Year Award will be awarded to the commercial vehicle driver with the best 20-year driving record, with the minimum qualification being no at-fault accidents during the driver’s entire career. The winner will receive $500, a trophy and leather jacket, and a trip to ISRI2016.
The ISRI Golden Wrench Award will be given to the best heavy vehicle maintenance technician or manager who exhibits outstanding efforts, achievements, and contributions to ensure that commercial vehicles are safe on the road. The winner will receive a trophy and a trip to ISRI2017.
ISRI’s Transportation Awards reflect the value and importance the recycling industry places on vehicle safety. Recognizing the top performers both at the individual and company levels raises the bar for the industry as a whole.
Entry forms and additional information can be found on ISRI’s website. All entries are due by February 28, 2017. The awards will be presented during ISRI2017, ISRI’s Annual Convention and Exposition, held April 22-27, 2017, in New Orleans. The Transportation Safety Award program is sponsored by the RecycleGuard Insurance Program.
New ISRI Study Reveals Public’s Perception on Recycling
To gain a better understanding of insights into American’s knowledge about recycling and how they find information regarding it, ISRI recently commissioned a study by Harris Poll.
Recycling obviously has many important economic and environmental benefits, but also a number of misperceptions. However, when Americans were presented with a list of statements, 4 true and 4 false, and asked to select those they believe to be true, less than half were able to identify those which were actually true.
This may be because there is a lack of readily available information about recycling. Over 2 in 5 Americans (44%) say detailed information about recycling is not readily available and that they have to seek it out.
Among those who say information about recycling is not readily available, over half (52%) cite an Internet search as a top resource to find information about recycling (i.e., what can and can't be recycled, the recycling process, etc.).
It seems that a strong majority of the population would benefit with more easily accessible information about recycling provided to them, which in turn could increase recycling efforts.
There is a number of things ISRI is already doing to improve the access of quality information on recycling. This includes partnerships with organizations such as Earth911, Keep America Beautiful, and JASON Learning to make sure relevant, and accurate information is being publicly distributed.
Another area in which ISRI and its members are working to make a difference is through our Materials Recovery (MRF) Council which is currently undertaking the development of a standardized definition for local governments to communicate to their residents about what is, and what is not recyclable. These specifications will be presented to the ISRI Board of Directors in February for approval.
More details on this survey can be found in the Executive Summary, or in the ISRI press releases related to what Americans believe about recycling and where they receive information.