This is the December 2011 newsletter of the Northern California Recycling Association. Published monthly by the NCRA Newsletter Committee under the direction of Editor Portia M. Sinnott, it is available here or as a downloadable pdf. An abbreviated version with “Read More…” links is sent to members via email. In the future, once the website is functioning well, special printed quarterly editions will be distributed to libraries, not-for-profits and local elected officials. Additional distribution location suggestions are welcome.
 
NCRA is a non-profit trade organization of recycling businesses, community groups, municipalities and individuals. We promote waste reduction, reuse, salvaging, recycling and composting as vital tools for resource and energy conservation and as cost-effective, environmentally sound methods of disposing of discarded materials. Founded in 1978, we have 175+ members, the majority of whom are located in Northern California. Please join - membership is $52 per year via PayPal.
 
To view this newsletter on-line, please visit our December 2011 pages or use the links below. Subsequent pages are accessed at the bottom of the page. Please note -- these pages will expire in two+ months. The pdf file will be accessible on the About page for years to come.
 
For more information about NCRA or our events visit the website and/or send a note to the NCRA office.

HEADLINES
UPCOMING MEETINGS AND TOURS
NCRA Holiday Party Sunday, December 11
Annual General Membership Meeting, January 19
Tour Of Allied Waste Services’ Newby Island Sanitary Landfill and The Recyclery, March 15
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Annual Membership Directory Update In Progress
Board Nominations Due January 2
Jobs Through Reuse - The Northern California Reuse Summit Announcement and Call For Presentations
HOT OFF THE PRESS
Concerns Overshadow Oakland’s Zero Waste System Design
Alameda County Considers Mandatory Recycling And Composting Plan
The Mob Goes Green - Organized Crime Profits With New Jersey Recycling
PRESIDENT'S CORNER
Who Said Multi-Units Were Lousy Recyclers?
MEMBERS CORNER
Sunnyvale Approves Plastic Bag Ban Ordinance
CURRENT TOPICS
The Plastic Problem
Ecology Center: On Collecting All Plastics
Community Conservation Centers: Collection Is Not Recycling
ASSOCIATED GROUPS REPORT
Reuse Alliance: Sign the National Reuse Day Petition!
RONA and CRRA: National Certification Programs For Resource Management
CALENDAR
INTERNAL REPORTS
Board Meeting Minutes, November 17, 2011

CONTRIBUTORS
This month’s contributors are Arthur Robinson Boone, Dan Knapp, Martin Bourque and Portia Sinnott. Teresa Bradley, chair of the Industry Support Services Committee, is responsible for tour and meeting locations. Please email her suggestions any time of day or night.

The Newsletter Committee holds conference calls the last Thursday of most months from noon – 1pm. All welcome. Also, please forward article ideas and assignment requests on conception.