Join us! NCRA & Zero Waste Youth Career Fair – 3/22 at 5:30pm

Zero Waste Youth USA and the Northern California Recycling Association (NCRA) would like to invite you to table at our upcoming career fair!
March 22nd, 5:30 – 7 PM PT, via Airmeet. 
If you have an employment, internship, volunteer opportunity to promote,  as well as tips and hacks for aspiring young professionals navigating the resource management and conservation field, we would love to have you!
Please fill out this tabling form and follow the confirmation page to WildApricot to finish registration. Let me know if you have any questions!

If you would like to join as a non-tabling participant please register with WildApricot. Late registrants should register and then go to Airmeet  to join the session.

 

Recycling Update 2022 – Program

PROGRAM – IN ORDER OF APPEARANCE

Tommy Jackson is the Senior Area Supply Chain Manager, responsible for all procurement activities including equipment, supplies and services. As part of the Inclusion, Equity and Diversity group he wants to be a part of the gage and the vision that WM has of being a diverse and equitable company; one that treats everyone with fairness and embraces inclusion at all levels of the company. 

Veronica Pardo serves as the Regulatory Affairs Director for the Resource Recovery Coalition of California. Thanks to the growing complexity of the waste and recycling industry since the passage of California’s Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006, Veronica has the pleasure of working on a diversity of issues ranging from waste diversion policies, air and water emissions, organics management, and renewable energy production. 

Calla Rose is Natural and Working Lands Climate Change Coordinator at California Natural Resources Agency and Strategic Advisor at Phoenix Rising Resources. A political economist, legislative strategist, organizer, and science communicator Calla Rose serves as a Climate Change Innovations Advisor to individuals and organizations dedicated to stabilizing Earth’s climate. Current projects include the California Carbon Project in conjunction with the People Food & Land Foundation, with lead support from the Jena King & Michael King Foundation and several other funders.  

Kelly Schoonmaker is a program manager at StopWaste (Alameda County Waste Management Authority) where she works on compost and mulch, carbon farming, SB 1383 procurement requirements, and manages the agency’s rangeland property in the Altamont Hills.  

Nick Harvey graduated from the College of Creative Studies at UC Santa Barbara with a degree in chemistry and biochemistry, then headed to the Bay Area to work at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory as a staff scientist while working on a PhD in Materials Science and Engineering at UC Davis.  Shortly thereafter, Nick struck out on his own to pursue entrepreneurial ventures: BayAreaRedwood.com was founded serendipitously when Nick saw trees being thrown away while riding his bike. Nick leverages his background in chemistry and materials science in this current venture.

Zro is a child of the Pacific. They are a land steward, builder and problem-solver living in the Greater San Diego area on ancestral Kumeyaay [koom-ya-i) and Payómkawichum [pie-yome-kah-weech-oom] lands where they work on various projects to heal the soil, waterways and people. Zro serves as a Regional Coordinator for CACC’s “Community Composting for Green Spaces” program, which is funded by CalRecycle and California Climate Investments.

**BREAK 10:15-10:30**

Caroline Cotto is the Co-Founder/CEO, Renewal Mill and Board President of the Upcycled Food Association. Renewal Mill is a next generation ingredients company that’s reducing food waste by upcycling the byproducts of food manufacturing into high quality ingredients and products. The vision of both Renewal Mill and the Upcycled Food Association is to create a new circular economy of food that closes the loop in today’s current supply chain, keeps valuable nutrition from going to waste, and reduces our impact on the environment.  Caroline was included among Forbes magazine’s 30 under 30 honorees in the Food and Drink field for 2022.

Gena McKinley is the Strategic Initiatives Division Manager for the City of Austin, Texas’ Resource Recovery department, which leads implementation of the City of Austin’s Zero Waste Plan. She has spent over 15 years working in the solid waste industry. Her leadership, commitment, and advocacy for zero waste earned national recognition as she was chosen to be included in Waste360s 40 Under 40 list of rising stars in the industry.

Lawrence Grown studied architecture at the University of Cincinnati, with a focus on organic architecture. He founded the custom fabrication company Metro Lighting in 1993, along with his wife Christa, Later he founded West Berkeley Design Loop in 2012, Commotion West Berkeley in 2019, and Berkeley-Built Magazine in 2020, all organizations that focus on design, sustainability and community. 

Matt Zimbalist has been in the waste reduction and ecological building world for the past decade. Through his work as a builder, designer, and engineer, he has  created state of the art aquaponics systems, campus wide greywater installations, nutritive cycling systems, and implemented farm efficiency programs. He currently heads operations, marketing, product, and strategy for the waste reduction organization Re-Up Refills in Oakland. 

Tom Steele is passionate about finding the best next uses for often unusual items which otherwise are likely to be discarded as waste.  As Executive Director of Bio-Link Depot (Oakland), he supports educators at all levels and throughout the Bay Area with free scientific equipment and lab supplies to broaden access to hands-on STEM education for all.  In Tom’s other job, as Operations Director of Friends of SCRAP (Bayview, SF), he collaborates closely with staff and volunteers to develop a wider practice of Creative Reuse,  including sustainable hands-on Art engagements for underserved youth. 

Alexandrina Chavez currently serves as a Policy Associate with Californians Against Waste and as Secretary on the California Latinx Capitol Association Foundation Board. Her current work at CAW involves working on recycling and plastics legislation, including advocacy for  passage of the California Recycling and Plastic Pollution Act on the November 2022 Ballot.

CRRA: Laura McKaughan

**Lunch 12:05-1pm**

Sally Houghton is the Executive Director of the Plastic Recycling Corporation of California (PRCC), which seeks to increase PET recycling in California. She is no stranger to the plastic recycling industry and has worked for the California non-profit since 2007. In this role Sally coordinates a team that manages all aspects of the PET recycling system, including a strong supply chain, knowledge of the PET industry, logistics, quality control and legislative understanding. 

Justin Wilcock is the Director of General Operations at Marin Sanitary Service working with their collection operation.  Prior to Marin Sanitary he was the Community Relations Manager for Sonoma County Resource Recovery and before that spent 8 years in various roles at Waste Management of Alameda County.

Jules Bailey is Executive Vice President for Oregon Beverage Recycling Cooperative, and will be promoted to serve as President and CEO of the organization beginning in 2023.  As EVP, Jules is responsible for charting the future of Bottle Bill implementation and ensuring the deposit and redemption system remains convenient, relevant, and effective for Oregonians. He is also responsible for new initiatives, including the BottleDrop Refill program for refillable bottles, and projects and operations outside of Oregon, including California, Washington, and Canada.

Kevin Drew is the Senior Zero Waste Specialist for the City of San Francisco (City) with 35 years’ of diversified experience in the field.   Kevin is currently directing SF BottleBank, a mobile redemption drop-off pilot, using smartphone, electronic funds transfer and AI beverage container processing technologies to increase consumer participation and convenience. 

Marria Evbuoma is the Recycling Program Manager for the San Francisco Conservation Corps where she supports projects for E-waste, Tires, Used Oil, and beverage containers.  She is a board member of Plastic Free Future and Race to Zero Waste, where she formerly served as their Director of Communications.  Marria is a mother, writer, and serves on the Citizen Advisory Committee for SF Public Utilities Commission under the wastewater subcommittee. 

Caren McNamara founded Conscious Container as a Benefit Corporation to bring a refillable/reusable glass bottles back into the US, building infrastructure and economy of scale to reduce single-use packaging waste and climate impacts.  This economically viable business delivers beverage and food producers powerful reductions to the CO2 footprint and cost of packaging, while mitigating legislative and supply chain impacts. These systems exist around the world and we need to enable this infrastructure here in the United States… NOW!!

Felisia Castaneda will discuss NCRAs work on Diversity Equity and Inclusion and will reference the organization Holistic Underground that is working w NCRA on this topic.

**BREAK 3:00-3:15**

Jessica Irving Marschall, CPA, is President and CEO of The Green Mission Inc. a national scale appraisal firm helping to promote deconstruction and donation. Based in Fredericksburg, Virginia, Green Mission seeks to encourage the donation of building materials, appliances, fixtures, furnishings and other material and property recovered via deconstruction, by applying the proper use of existing federal and state tax policy. Jessica is a CPA of over twenty years and an IRS Qualified Appraiser, ensuring that proper valuation theory and strict adherence to the Internal Revenue Code are followed.

Ruth Abbe is a Zero Waste practitioner and serves on the Board of Directors of Resilience Birthright. She will be pinch-hitting for CEO Jessica Jane Robinson. Jessica is an actor, writer and passionate advocate for the environment. She created Resilience Birthright to inspire people to take action in the climate crisis and strive for Zero Waste.

Doug Kobold has been “talking trash” for just under 30 years. He is currently the Executive Director for the California Product Stewardship Council (CPSC). Previously he spent over 18 years with Sacramento County developing and managing recycling programs while dabbling in legislation and regulation, nearly 3 years with Edgar & Associates providing solid waste consulting services throughout California, and over 5 years with Yolo County in landfill design and managing its operation. 

Andrew De Los Santos (he/him) is the Zero Waste Supervisor of Race to Zero Waste. He has over 5 years’ experience in zero waste operations and management. At Race to Zero Waste, he acts as the project lead for Zero Waste Pop-ups, waste audits and zero waste facilitation projects. He also assists with waste diversion data tracking, marketing, public relations, content development, and social media management in the Bay Area. Mr. De Los Santos holds a Master of Science in Sustainability from Arizona State University and is TRUE Zero Waste certified.

Nicole Kurian is a Policy Associate at Californians Against Waste, advocating for and managing CAW’s legislative priorities.  Before joining CAW, Nicole worked for members of the California State Senate. Nicole graduated in 2018 with her Bachelors of Science in Environmental Policy Analysis and Planning at the University of California, Davis, where as an undergraduate student, she directed waste diversion, composting, and sustainability programs as Director of the Campus Center for the Environment, in partnership with the university. 

Board of Directors 2021 Elections – Candidate Statements

Five members – including 3 incumbents, have submitted ballot statements to serve on the 2022 NCRA Board of Directors. There are six two-year positions to fill. Voting opens Monday, November 29, 2021, and ends Monday, December 13, 2021, at 11:59 pm.

Custom voting links will be emailed to members on November 29. If you do not receive our email but believe you should (i.e. your membership is current as of November 28, 2021), please contact the office and we will email the link again.

NCRA BOARD OF DIRECTOR CANDIDATES, 2022-2023

Bailey Hall – Member since 2019 – After 2.5 years of being submerged in the world of solid waste, I’m confident this is my forever career path. I’ve been a NCRA member since 2019, and I’d be honored to serve on the board.

As a Zero Waste Coordinator with the City of Sunnyvale, I spearhead the City’s communications on waste reduction, recycling right, and our food scraps program. I aim to inspire behavior change through flyers, presentations, student lessons, and social media posts. As an example, I coordinated and starred in YouTube videos with tens of thousands of views about how residents can make our food scraps program convenient and mess-free. I took my love of food scraps a step further by writing and co-starring in my NCRA Players 2021 debut: “Foodhemian Scrapsody”. I also debunk recycling myths and encourage zero waste practices through a regular column in our City-wide newsletter called “Talkin’ Trash”. I’m responsible for the garbage/recycling needs for Sunnyvale multi-family complexes, and now lead their transition to recycling organics.

If elected, I will bring my effective outreach experience to the Communications and Activities committees. I welcome the opportunity to support NCRA communications and connect members with courses, tours, and crucial zero waste updates. I’d love to deepen my involvement with this pioneering organization.

Devin Joseph Guilford Jackson –member since 2020

My name is Devin Jackson. I am submitting my first-time candidacy to serve on the 2022 – 2023 NCRA Board. I am a STEM teacher, Environmental Sustainability Coordinator, 2021 CCC Leadership in Sustainability Award Winner, Recycle SMART “green” educator, 2018 “Bronze” CA Green Ribbon School Award Winner, certified Climate Change educator with National Geographic Explorers, NASA GLOBE Educator, NOAA Ocean Guardian educator & Vice President of a K-8 environmental education non-profit called Outside the Box 925. I have a strong connection and passion for nature, environmental sustainability, eco-literacy, water conservation, alternative energy, resource conservation, recycling, composting and other waste/landfill diversion practices, which are linked to the UN Climate Principles. I have been a member of NCRA for one year. NCRA has played an integral role in my pathway as an environmental sustainability coordinator to guide and support future Zero Waste schools and districts. I am currently the sole teacher on the NCRA committee for CA Zero Waste Schools. I am looking forward to contributing to and supporting NCRA and the school committee in new ways as my career expands with new opportunities unfolding. If you feel I would bring value to the board, then please support me to be elected to the 2022 – 2023 NCRA Board.

INCUMBENTS

David Krueger – member since 2000 – I would be honored to continue to serve for two more years on the NCRA Board. I have been a NCRA member for 20+ years and I’ve served as Treasurer and President. I am currently the Solid Waste Programs Division Manager for the City of Sunnyvale, working towards our Zero Waste goal. I have previously served on the Alameda County Source Reduction and Recycling Board and the CRRA Board of Directors. You may have seen me “performing” with the infamous NCRA Players.

If allowed to continue to serve on the Board I will strive to increase NCRA’s membership and to expand our diversity in all of it’s forms: Race, ethnicity, gender, orientation, age, geography, occupation, and opinion. Upcoming challenges in the next few years include helping our members to implement SB 1383, reducing plastic pollution, and finding the most effective mix of virtual and in-person meetings, trainings, workshops, and events. The Plastics Free California Initiative will be on the ballot November 8, 2022 and should be a major focus of NCRA advocacy. I also believe that NCRA should take the lead in the effort to save the State’s buyback centers.

One of my goals for the NCRA Board is to enhance our training and professionalism and to have a long-term plan to recruit and develop future leaders. In order to ensure continuity and stability, I suggest that NCRA consider hiring a part-time Executive Director and asking former Board members to serve as advisors.

I am dedicated to NCRA’s continued role as a cutting edge leader in the Zero Waste movement, providing our members with opportunities for education, idea-sharing, benchmarking, debate, networking, and advocacy. I humbly ask for your vote.

Tim Dewey-Mattia – member since 2011 – I’m submitting my statement for reelection to the NCRA Board.  I was first elected to the NCRA Board 6 years ago, and I kindly ask the membership for a chance to serve another term. I’m the Recycling & Public Education Manager for Napa Recycling & Waste Services. Napa Recycling is the local franchise hauler in Napa, as well as the operator of Napa’s Recycling & Composting Facility (come visit…tours are back and we’ve got cool upgrades to show off!).

I got my start in Zero Waste 25 years ago – first with the Middlebury College recycling program, and then for non-profit recycling organizations in San Francisco. I’ve been at Napa Recycling for 16 years and work on all aspects of program development, implementation and outreach…plus I’ve talked about earthquakes, chickens & fires at Recycling Update.

As NCRA board member and co-chair of the Outreach & Activities Committee, I’ve helped coordinate events, organize facility tours, & fundraise for Recycling Update. I believe NCRA can and should be a leader in the hot topics of the day, including increasing organics diversion with the SB 1383 rollout, advocating for diversity, equity, inclusion and justice in the industry, and supporting critical Zero Waste legislation and policy.

NCRA and our members are Zero Waste pioneers, and I am honored to help carry that forward. We are a collaborative, passionate, and down-to-earth bunch, and I’d be pleased to continue to serve on the Board.

Susan Blachman – member since 2011 – I am running for re-election to the NCRA board in order to help NCRA continue to support our members, further promote zero food waste, the end of plastic and generally serve this great organization.

I have been co-chairing the Zero Food Waste Committee:

  • 2014 helped establish NCRA’s Zero Food Waste Committee

  • Contributed to Commercial Food Waste Reduction in Alameda County report

  • 2018 helped organize the second Zero Food Waste Forum.

  • 2019-present helped organize Zero Food Waste Webinars focused on SB1383

Recordings found on NCRA website; each attended by about 100 people

  • Coordinate with CRRA Edible Food Recovery Technical Council (EFR TC)

If re-elected, I will continue to support NCRA’s zero food waste educational programming and will continue to coordinate our educational and outreach efforts with CRRA’s EFR TC, including compiling local jurisdiction SB1383 resources for anyone (not just CRRA members).

Other NCRA activities:

  • Rep NCRA in multi-stakeholder effort to get Berkeley Unified School District to eliminate single use food ware

  • Participate in NCRA DEI committee, ZWAC’s Clean Seas Coalition and NCRA social media committee

  • Co-Secretary

Thank you for allowing me to serve on the NCRA board; I would be honored if you would vote for me.

# # #

Edible Food Recovery Technical Council, 4/21

Join the CRRA Edible Food Recovery Technical Council for their upcoming webinar about the Food Industry and Edible Food Generators. Join in on Tuesday, April 6 from 1 pm – 2:30 pm for an afternoon webinar and learn more about:

  • Generator awareness of 1383
  • Outreach and education to generators
  • Barriers and benefits from the food industry perspective
  • Strategies for engagement & guidance for implementation

Register here: https://crra.wildapricot.org/event-4242232