The 30th Annual Recycling Update Call for Speakers is now live!

The 30th Annual Recycling Update Call for Speakers is now live!

How to Apply: Submit your proposal by COBD – Monday, December 5, 2025.

Apply here!

For additional questions, feel free to contact the office.

The Northern California Recycling Association (NCRA) is seeking dynamic speakers for its annual Recycling Update (RU), our fast-paced, high-energy event that showcases what’s new and innovative in the world of waste reduction and Zero Waste. We welcome proposals from those who haven’t yet presented at RU, as well as from experienced speakers eager to share their cutting-edge ideas and insights.

With over 500 attendees, including local government recycling staff, policy makers, consultants, haulers, and processors from across Northern California, RU is an ideal platform to showcase your work in front of a highly engaged audience. This is your chance to highlight the latest programs, policies, and projects shaping the future of our industry.

Presentation Format:

Each speaker is allotted 10 minutes for their presentation, followed by a 2-minute Q&A session.

The event features a single-track format, ensuring that all attendees hear your presentation—no breakouts, no missed opportunities.

Timeliness is crucial. Speakers must be well-prepared and adhere to their time limits.

Key Focus Areas: We encourage proposals that reflect NCRA’s commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, incorporating these values in both the content and design of presentations. Additionally, the selection committee is especially interested in presentations that explore reuse, repair, state and local policies, edible food recovery programs/ enforcement, extender producer responsibility, and recycling markets.

DEI Salon: What is Meaningful Community Engagement? Let’s Talk About It!

Link to Recording

The Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI) Committee Presents:

Do you find it challenging to get good turnouts at public meetings?

Join us for a salon style discussion to explore non-traditional strategies to collect feedback and gain insight to diverse community perspectives on policies and projects.

This peer sharing opportunity will explore topics such as:

-What does successful engagement look like

-How to create space for overlooked communities to participate in planning processes

-Challenges and barriers to encouraging participation in public meetings

Recorded on October 21, 2025 | 12 – 1pm PDT via Zoom.

2025 Board of Directors Election – Candidate Statements

Eight NCRA members – including five incumbents, have been nominated to serve on the 2026 – 2027 Board of Directors. There are seven two-year positions to fill.

The Meet the Candidates Night will be held November 20 at 5:30pm. Voting opens Monday, November 10 and ends Monday, December 1 at 11:59pm.

Early on November 10, custom voting links will be emailed to all current members. If you do not receive a SimplyVoting email that day, please confirm your membership is up-to-date using this simple 4-step system. If there is an issue, please contact the office.

Results will be presented to the board for ratification in early December, then to the candidates via email and later to the membership via the December newsletter.

NCRA BOARD OF DIRECTOR CANDIDATES, 2025

Click each picture to access the associated candidate statement. Many include a LinkedIn link at the bottom of the page.

Emanuel Keim

I bring a frontline perspective to strengthen NCRA’s leadership in Zero Waste.

I have been an NCRA member since 2017 and am excited about the opportunity to serve on the Board. While I have only been able to attend a few meetings and events in recent years, I am eager to expand my involvement and contribute more actively to advancing NCRA’s mission.

I currently work at UC San Francisco Facilities Services as a Zero Waste Technician, where I support campus waste-reduction goals through audits, data tracking, and outreach. My 30-plus years in recycling and reuse include experience with Recology, providing the hauler’s perspective on collection and compliance, and with Urban Ore Ecopark, one of California’s pioneers in reuse. I hold professional credentials as a TRUE Zero Waste Advisor, LEED Green Associate, ESG Data Specialist (GBES), and as a ZWUSA Zero Waste Associate.

In addition to program and data experience, I bring the insight of a frontline recycling worker. I understand the challenges, creativity, and persistence required to make zero-waste goals a reality on the ground. I believe that voice is valuable on the NCRA Board, alongside policy and planning expertise.

As a Board Member, I would be committed to supporting NCRA’s leadership in zero-waste education, legislative engagement, and professional networking. I look forward to contributing my skills in outreach, program support, and data-driven analysis to strengthen the organization and serve the membership.

LinkedIn

Gwynn Mackellen

I have been a NCRA member since 2020 and am on our Advocacy Committee. Wanting NCRA to be more active politically, I launched NCRA’s Advocacy Day at the State Capitol in 2024 with Bailey Hall and other volunteers. We successfully lobbied our representatives to pass bills important to our members, something I presented on at this year’s Recycling Update. Advocacy Day has become an annual event, building our power at the state level, and creating connections with other members and elected officials.

Twenty-one years ago at the San Francisco Green Festival, I got messy sorting compost, recycle, and trash and decided I liked it enough to eventually make a career of it (after some years in politics!). I’ve lived in the Bay Area most of my adult life and am a Recycling Program Specialist for City of Oakland; I’ve also worked part-time as an event greener for Race to Zero Waste since 2017. My previous experience in the industry includes working for a hauler, consulting, leading waste reduction projects at Portland International Airport, and volunteering at SF Environment for 10 years.

As a NCRA Board Member, my plan is to co-chair Advocacy Committee and engage members in legislative actions, including continuing to grow Advocacy Day. I hope I can count on you to get involved, and on your vote!