Who is at the Table? 2020 DEI Webinar Recording

WHO IS AT THE TABLE?

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
in Waste and Recycling
August 27, 2020

Presented by: The National Recycling Coalition (NRC) and the Northern California Recycling Association (NCRA) in coordination with the NRC Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Council, the NCRA DEI Committee and the Ohio Recycling Coalition. Produced by Portia Sinnott, NCRA Vice President and Zero Waste USA Program Director.

Recording              Speaker Bios

This webinar’s objectives are to motivate the waste and recycling industry to actively explore and discuss DEI issues and initiatives, and inspire individuals and organizations to create their own mandates. We will address the issues via succinct introductory presentations with commentary, hold a robust intra-panel discussion and follow that with a lively Q&A session!

What does Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) mean in the Waste and Recycling Industry?

Are we leading the way or stumbling behind? Does anyone have a handle on the statistics? Has your business, agency or non-profit adopted DEI initiatives? Are they actively being implemented and tracked? Are the benefits clear to all involved? What factors are being addressed – age, race, gender identity, sexual orientation, class, ability, language and/or cultural background? Does your actual workforce reflect these commitments – in front of the house: management/decision makers, as well as the back of the house: workforce/membership? Are there efforts underway to stimulate workforce training and advancement?

PANEL

  • INITIAL SLIDES
  • Moderator and Commentator, Arley Owens, Executive Director, Ohio Recycling Coalition, former NRC Board Member, organizing member of the NRC DEI Council, and former Chair of the NRC Communications Committee and the Minorities Recycling Council
  • DEI Introduction and Industry Situational Report, Sophia Huda, Vice President, Ohio Recycling Coalition, member of the Manhattan Solid Waste Advisory Board and Adjunct Sustainability Professor, The New School, New York SLIDES
  • Developing Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Mandates, Faye Christoforo, Executive Director, Post-Landfill Action Network (PLAN) SLIDES
  • Sustainable And Safe Recycling, Alina Bekkerman, NCRA Board Member and San Francisco Conservation Corps, Program Manager and
    Felisia Castañeda, NCRA Member and Recology San Francisco
    Environmental Learning Center Supervisor SLIDES
  • Moving Forward Together, Abrilla Robinson, Vice President, Ohio Recycling Coalition’s and Chair of the Ohio Recycling Coalition’s newly created Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Council. Past President of the National Recycling Coalition Minorities Recycling Council and organizing member of the new NRC DEI Council.

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August Legislative Report

By Doug Brooms, ZWAC Co-Chair
NCRA Letters of support for the following 13 State Bills have been re-addressed and sent to the Appropriations Committee Chairs, via the online CA Legislature Position Letter Portal, (FYI, individuals are also welcome to submit letters.) Generic versions of the NCRA support letters are available at the website.

AB 142 Garcia, Cristina D Lead-acid Battery Recycling
AB 161 Ting D “Skip the Slip” paper receipts on request
AB 187 Garcia, Cristina D Used Mattress Recovery and Recycling Act
AB 614 Eggman D “Farm to Food Bank” tax credit
AB 729 Chu D Carpet recycling: Carpet stewardship
AB 792 Ting D Recycling: Plastic beverage containers: Minimum recycled content
AB 827 McCarty D Solid waste: Commercial and organic waste: Recycling bins
AB 1080 Gonzalez D (SB 54) CA Circular Economy and Plastic Pollution Reduction Act
AB 1162 Kalra D Lodging establishments: Personal care products: Small plastic bottles
AB 1583 Eggman D The California Recycling Market Development Act
AB 1718 Levine (SB 8) Smoking Ban for State Parks and Beaches
SB 8 Glazer (AB 1718) Smoking Ban for State Parks and Beaches
SB 54 Allen D (AB 1080) CA Circular Economy and Plastic Pollution Reduction Act

Remaining key dates:

Aug 12 – Legislature reconvenes
Aug 30 – Last day for bills to pass Appropriations
Sept 6 – Last day to amend on the floor
Sept 13 – Last day for each house to pass bills, final recess upon adjournment
Oct 13 – Last day for Governor to sign or veto bills
Jan 1 – Statutes take effect
Jan 6 – Legislature reconvenes

Your comments are welcome!