Author: Editor

President’s Report, March 2017

By Laura McKaughan
As my first President’s Report of 2017, I want to take the time to formally welcome to the board the newly elected directors: Hilary Near, Steven Sherman and Rebecca Jewell. At our board meeting in February, I was energized by the enthusiasm and fresh ideas the newcomers brought to their very first meeting. I imagine 2017 will be a very productive and busy year for NCRA with ever more tours, mixers, events, and classes for our members to attend, to learn from, get inspired by, and to network, network, network!

The best first example of this is in the expanded offerings of NCRA’s 5th Annual Zero Waste Week. Our flagship event, the 22nd annual Recycling Update will be on Tuesday March 21 in Berkeley’s Freight and Salvage. Recycling Update will feature more than 25 industry professionals in one, action-packed day in which each presenter will be given only 10 minutes to bring attendees up to speed on topics from recyclable commodities markets, new recycling legislation, edible food recovery, innovations in compost applications, and campaigns to promote source reduction. Featured speakers include John Wick, Co-Founder of the Marin Carbon Project, Mark Murray, Executive Director of Californians Against Waste, Adam Lowy, Co-Founder of Move for Hunger, and Heidi Sanborn, Executive Director of the California Product Stewardship Council among many others. For a glance at some of the day’s speakers, click HERE and if you haven’t yet, REGISTER HERE for Recycling Update.

As was the case last year, employers are encouraged to drop off job announcements to the NCRA booth and job seekers are encouraged to visit the booth to learn more about positions available in their industry. Please plan to pack out any leftover notices so minimize paper waste.

The evening before on Monday March 20th, NCRA joins Zero Waste Marin and Marin Sanitary Service’s (MSS) in a screening of A Plastic Ocean. The film follows two explorers traveling to remote parts of the world and documenting the plastic pollution they find. Panel discussion to follow. The event is free and light refreshments will be served. RSVP here. There is also another film screening on Friday March 24 of Dogtown Redemption, a film which follows the local impact of the closure of Alliance Recycling Center in West Oakland. A panel will follow featuring the filmmaker and the event is free. For this movie screening, please RSVP here.

Lastly the 5th annual Zero Waste Youth Convergence will be held on Sunday March 19th in San Francisco. This event brings together high school and college students as well as young professionals in a full day dedicated to learning, visioning, organizing for Zero Waste. Please check their WEBSITE for more details and to register.

These events combined with the two tours during Zero Waste Week (both are sold-out), two webinars and one workshop, there are loads of events happening all week for NCRA members to take advantage of. We look forward to seeing you during Zero Waste Week and please EMAIL US if you have questions!

Gretchen Brewer, 1945 – 2017

Please join us for a
Memorial for Gretchen Brewer
Tuesday, March 21, 2017, 5-7pm
The Impact Hub, 4th Floor at the David Brower Center
2150 Allston Way at Oxford
Berkeley, CA

 — Hosted By Mary Lou Van Deventer, Dan Knapp, Susan Kinsella, Arthur Boone

Goodbye Gretchen!

RECYCLING PIONEER – GRETCHEN  BREWER, 1946-2017
By Mary Lou Van Deventer
In San Diego on Tuesday, February 21, 2017, pioneering recycler Gretchen Brewer transitioned out of this life.  As many people know, she had been using oxygen for chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD).  Then in late 2015, while helping a friend in hospice, she seriously wrenched her back.  By 2017 she was receiving physical therapy in a rehabilitation center and recently had been hoping to move back to her apartment.  But early Monday February 20, she was taken to an emergency room and later that day had a respiratory crisis.  She lost consciousness, and at about 8:30pm on Tuesday she slipped away.

Gretchen started her recycling career in Chicago, working at the Resource Center for Ken Dunn, whom she always called her mentor. Over the years she also worked for state governments in Massachusetts and New Mexico.  For a couple of years, she worked for the plastics industry, in hopes of remolding them from the inside. But when she wanted to carry away a muffin and was upset at being presented with a styrofoam clamshell instead of a paper bag, it was clear the job was no longer a good fit. Fiercely independent and creative, Gretchen returned to being a consultant for the next fifteen years. During this time, she did stellar buy-recycled procurement projects for the US Naval Stations in San Diego, which won a White House Closing-the-Circle award, and Hawaii. Most recently, she was writing a memoir of her innovative career for Urban Ore.

Gretchen is gone much too soon and will be deeply missed.

How Gretchen Mattered 
By Nancy VandenBerg
Gretchen Brewer identified what recycling needed, then pioneered solutions. Just two early examples remind us. In the early 1980s she described her Chicago collection program at a recycling congress in New Jersey. Programs everywhere grew from her experience. Despite the plastic industry´s bland assurance that its materials were too complex to recycle, in Boston she published the seminal explanation of one-resin packaging plastics. Before long, coding was introduced to aid householders and separation lines. Many, many others worked long and hard to construct the recycling industry over the decades, and so many of us depended on Gretchen´s insights to build our own programs. Her files fed our research. Her perspective shaped our direction. Her encouragement buoyed our commitment. Gretchen was a pivotal influence who never, ever stopped working to make this a cleaner world.

How Gretchen Facilitated Zero Waste 
By Mary Lou Van Deventer
When Gretchen was working as a consultant in San Diego, she introduced Dan Knapp to some Australians from Sydney, Melbourne, and the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) in Canberra. They hired Dan to do some consulting, and on his first trip to the ACT in 1995 he brought back a governmentally endorsed plan called “No Waste by 2010.”  “No Waste” immediately became “Zero Waste” and spread across the country like a grassfire.  So Gretchen set up the contact that arguably began the Zero Waste movement in this country.

A Dear Friend  
By Susan Kinsella
I worked with Gretchen on her buy-recycled projects with the US Naval Stations in San Diego and Hawaii, and we were joyfully compatible as fellow night-owls. Often we were on the phone planning out the projects in the wee hours of the morning. So I was not surprised that she called me at 2:30 a.m. on February 20th from the ER. Over 30+ years, not only were we collaborators on ground-breaking recycling projects, but we also became close friends and trusted allies. She and her partner Wayne tried to teach me tai chi, but they were far more graceful than I in performing intricate ballet-like sequences together. Ever the researcher, Gretchen loved to watch all kinds of TV documentaries, especially on PBS. The nurses at the hospital had told us that the last sense to go is hearing, so I love knowing that Mary Lou Van Deventer was sitting by Gretchen’s bed reading stories to her about all the important and pioneering work that Gretchen had contributed to the world, up until just a few minutes before she passed.

Five Sessions On The Bottle Bill

By Arthur R. Boone, Center For Recycling Research and Total Recycling Associates

In late January and early February, the CalRecycles leaders and Graciela Castillo-Kriegs from the governor’s office held a series of meetings in the Governor’s office council room on topics related to the bottle bill.

 

The department sees it has a “structural deficit” which is paying out more than comes in and is searching for ways to change that. What is not on the table is reducing staff (grumpy looks when I suggested that), better police work on out-of-state imports (they think they’re catching lots of the crooks), improved auditing of the money in/money out chain to prevent graft and corruption in a one billion dollar cash flow operation (despite some very polite language from one person from the Can Manufacturers Institute saying that “the department has less than a 100% auditing function.” The idea of taking the $100 per day fines that the non-compliant grocery stores were paying to support CZ recyclers went unappreciated.

 

The elephants in the room, largely unnoticed (although my hearing is sufficiently poor in large rooms like this with no audio amplification that I missed a lot) were the large benefits given to curbside programs ($129 million per year) and other programs gifted by the legislature when reported redemption rates were much lower. These are now sacred cows not to be messed with.

 

There’s an old saw in Sacramento that if you’re not at the table, you will be part of the lunch. This was clear towards the end of the fifth session when everyone jumped on the idea of holding back some of the redemption fees to large collectors who sell more than 100 pounds (or some other number) of anything at a time; since they’re not the consumers of those volumes, it’s not their nickel that is being removed from the table. Interesting to me, coming from Oakland where the indigenous poor are major collectors, those folks were not at the table in any room filled with suits and white people.

 

My biggest disappointment (since I expected the suits to champion the status quo) came towards the end of the fifth session when the Pepsi spokesman asked what had become of a previous request from stakeholders (August 2016 by his reckoning) that the department assess what is going on in other states and countries with deposit legislation. Christine Hironaka, CALRECYCLES’ Assistant Director of Policy Development, who was also overseeing the speakers’ roster, said in an off-hand way that “a deposit system is a good way to get high collection rates,” and let it go at that. Six months and 700 staffers and they can’t do any better than that? Not “We have a twenty page report with ten things we’re never done here in California for consideration.” Unless staff pays attention to your input, why go to these meetings? Unless you’re paid, of course, to make sure nothing inimical to your employer’s interests is being considered. But that was, to me at least, a real kissoff to the people who care.

 

In my opinion, real reform of the bottle bill as currently practiced in California will not come from the department or the Governor’s office; it will come from the little people of the state and their advocates who like to drink covered beverages and want their nickels back. But I also thought that some of the fat cats in the room are tired of all the talk and a ready to support some major changes. As one old-timer remarked, “The bottle bill was passed in 1986; that’s a generation ago; maybe it’s time for some new ventures.” Not from the people in that room unless we start all over again.

 

Arthur R. Boone is a former NCRA president and was many years a boardmember; he was not re-elected in 2017 and did not identify himself as a NCRA spokesperson at these meetings.

Board Of Directors Candidate Statements, 2017

Eight candidates have submitted ballot statements to serve on the 2017 NCRA Board of Directors. There are six positions to fill. Voting is open from January 9 – January 18. The election results will be announced January 19 at the Annual Members Meeting. Custom voting links will be emailed to members on or after January 5. If you do not receive our email but believe you should (i.e. your membership is current as of January 11, 2017), please email the office and we will email the link again.

CANDIDATES 2017: Arthur Boone, Douglas Brooms, Rebecca Jewell, Laura McKaughan, Hilary Near, Jessica Robinson, Steven Sherman and Mary Lou Van Deventer.

ARTHUR BOONE, INCUMBENT (LinkedIn)
I became a professional recycler in 1983 and have served on the NCRA Board for most of those 34 years (no term limits here). I have served in all Board positions but am best known as founder and for 17 years director of NCRA’s well-known Recycling Update. I have taught NCRA’s Introduction to Recycling class twice a year for newcomers, and am now co-chair our Zero Waste Advocacy Committee. Your vote will assure my continued Board membership. Seventy-nine in March but going strong; a little crusty at times but usually for a good cause. Thank you.

DOUGLAS BROOMS, INCUMBENT (LinkedIn)
I’ve served on the Board for three years, and would be honored to serve another term. I look forward to Board meeting deliberations, and helping with and participating in NCRA events. I’ve represented NCRA at each annual “Oakland Green Expo” and other similar events.

I’m a co-chair of the ZW Advocacy Committee. I’ll continue with the evaluation and selection of new CA legislature Bills, and drafting of support letters. I’ll promote greater Bills support collaboration among environmental organizations in areas of common interests. I’ll continue with timely updates to the ZWAC Webpage, and work towards increasing its appeal and usefulness.

I’ll continue promoting awareness about the annual America Recycles Day, and other means to encourage greater recycling participation. I’m still the volunteer recycling coordinator at my apartment building. I enjoy work doing sorting at public fairs and events.

I have sustaining commitments to climate protection and other environmental stewardship causes. However, Zero Waste and recycling advocacy are my stronger passions, making NCRA my favorite place. I would appreciate your vote.

REBECCA JEWELL (LinkedIn)
I respectfully submit my name for your consideration for the NCRA board. My pragmatism and experience will help further NCRA’s work as I will focus on professional development and information sharing for NCRA members.

My work for the organization over the past decade has included a job-seekers series, jobs board and Recycling Update CoChair. I will continue to work on these projects and help the Board to continue its work on formalizing procedures and policies.

NCRA has made some significant strides in these past years. I look forward to helping it’s continued development.

LAURA MCKAUGHAN, INCUMBENT (LinkedIn)
I have been honored to serve on the NCRA board for the past 6 years and as President since 2012. This along with 12 years working in Zero Waste has provided me with the background to bring leadership and experience to the NCRA board. In my professional career outside of NCRA, I founded Envirolutions Consulting in 2014 to promote recycling, composting, Zero Waste and resource recovery for private industry, government and non-profits, and prior to this, I worked for nearly 8 years for the San Francisco Conservation Corps, first as Recycling Manager and then Associate Director of Green Programs.

NCRA has grown in membership and achieved much in the past few years and I believe we are now gaining momentum rather than reaching plateaus. My goal in continuing to serve would be to help build upon these successes and shepherd in new leadership. If re-elected, I would seek to accomplish this through continued initiatives and events that engage our membership, re-building our curriculum offerings and continuing to advocate for resource recovery, recycling, getting organics out of landfills and promoting resource recovery over burning or burying.

I humbly ask your vote to continue to serve on the NCRA Board of Directors.

HILARY NEAR (LinkedIn)
I am submitting my candidacy to join the NCRA board in 2017. I have worked in the Zero Waste field for a decade, primarily in program management and outreach related to municipal residential and commercial Zero Waste programs. I consider it my turn to serve. I am grateful to many past and present NCRA board members for their training and comradery over the years. I particularly recognize the legacy of NCRA’s training and conference coordination; NCRA’s Intro to Recycling course was a highlight in my early career, and the Recycling Update, of course, continues to serve my professional development and our larger community.

I currently serve the City of Oakland as a recycling specialist. I am passionate about expanding participation in our current curbside collection programs, particularly organics and bulky item collection. As a board member, I am interested in supporting the new mentorship program. I also enjoy event coordination that could benefit the tours committee and RU event. I would join the NCRA board as an experienced, passionate, creative and open servant to our NCRA membership and our aspirational goals.

JESSICA J. ROBINSON, INCUMBENT (LinkedIn)
I am a passionate environmental advocate, who would like the opportunity to continue as a board member. I have served as Treasurer for 4 years and would like to carry on as I have discovered more ways I can better serve.

NCRA has been a huge support of my endeavors and educational outreach. NCRA was the first vehicle for me to introduce, “Miss Alameda Says Compost!” to the recycling/sustainability community back in 2010. My M.A.S.C. program recruited over 150 restaurants in Alameda to compost and recycle, helping the city address it’s Zero Waste and Climate Protection Plan. NCRA funded my short film, “Recycle Woman,” which educates and inspires people to take action in helping the planet by maximizing on recycling and composting. NCRA co-produced my Resilience Climate Change Expedition documentaries, which I hope NCRA will get more exposure as the series expands.

I’m also a Climate Leader under Al Gore, educating the public about global warming and how recycling and composting are part of the solution.

I hope I will be given the opportunity to share my energy, creativity and innovative ideas with the board for many more years to come.

  • STEVEN SHERMAN (LinkedIn)
    NCRA inspires me by advocating for waste reduction, source separation and leading-edge materials management policies. I am grateful that NCRA annually hosts the best one-day conference on recycling, which features our members’ activities. I joined NCRA in 1990. It remains the heart and soul of the recycling movement. I share NCRA’s passion for its mission. My own path on the journey toward Zero Waste includes:

    • Past or current board service: California Organics Recycling Council; San Francisco League of Urban Gardeners; Cooperative Center Federal Credit Union; Upstream; Berkeley Zero Waste Commission; Alameda County Recycling Board
    • Recycling and compost consulting for 20+ years, including 14 years as managing partner and president of Applied Compost Consulting, Inc.;
      Compost program development courses taught via CRRA, UC Extension and ABAG;
    • Bridger of wastewater and recycling industries (work with EBMUD anaerobic digestion).I will advocate for environmentally sustainable approaches to organics management; product quality, end uses, and behavior change all matter tremendously. I will help NCRA to participate effectively in coalitions to address the scourge of plastics, which ends up in our oceans, our soil, and in our bodies. I will work to ensure that NCRA’s financial footing remains steady.

I respectfully ask for your vote.

MARY LOU VAN DEVENTER (LinkedIn)
I want to rejoin NCRA’s Board of Directors because I’m afraid for recycling’s future and want to participate actively in defending it. NCRA thinks big, thinks forward, and sticks to its guns. That stick-to-it-iveness will be required in the next few years.

NCRA’s job is to grow and protect the recycling industries. Recently in an email thread, an advocate for systemic replacement called today’s recyclers “the previous industry.” Some powerful forces share that view. They walk next to waste-to-energy advocates. Even President Obama’s energy plan calls WTE “sustainable.” What will the new administration say?

Some vulnerabilities are visible. In the last 18 months 850 recyclers have gone out of business in California, and pressures will soon increase.

But recovery industries have achieved so much, and the promise of Zero Waste is huge!

In this new period of uncertainty, our large creation will endure only if we defend it. I have served in every office on NCRA’s board, including three terms as president. If I can rejoin the Board I will contribute practical experiences gained in fighting off threats while maintaining a holistic, developmental vision.

If you share the fear, the hope, or both, please vote for me. Thank you.