Category: Newsletter

Announcing Recycling Update 2026 (Media Release)

Northern California Recycling Association to host 30th Annual Recycling Update at San Francisco State University

San Francisco, CA – February 2026 – The Northern California Recycling Association (NCRA) is proud to host the 30th Annual Recycling Update (RU), the premier event for resource recovery professionals in Northern California. This year’s milestone conference will take place on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, at San Francisco State University’s McKenna Theater, in San Francisco, CA. In person registration includes catered lunch at the Cesar Chavez Student Center and entrance to the highly popular networking event, Green Drinks. 

About RU

Recycling Update is widely recognized as the leading one day Zero Waste conference in Northern California. Known for its fast-paced, speed-dating presentation format, featuring 20 speakers from across California and the West Coast each presenting for 10 minutes on the latest innovations, programs, policies on more than just recycling; topics will cover reuse, repair, composting, outreach, extended producer responsibility (EPR), and edible food recovery. 

Since 2023, over 500 register to attend RU each year, attendees include municipal employees, refuse service providers, local and state policy makers, business leaders, university professors and facility staff, students, plastic-free and anti-incineration advocates, consultants, among many other sustainability professionals. 

Event Details

  • March 25, 2026
  • San Francisco State University – San Francisco, CA
  • Presentations: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM at McKenna Theatre
  • Lunch at Cesar Chavez Student Center
  • After-hours Green Drinks Reception at Seven Hills Conference Center

About San Francisco State

San Francisco State University has a long-standing tradition of student-led activism and leadership in sustainability. From the historic 1968 student strike that created the nation’s first College of Ethnic Studies, to becoming the first public university to divest from fossil fuels in 2013, and most recently committing to divest from arms dealers in 2025, SF State continues to champion racial and environmental justice.

Most notably the campus is committed to Zero Waste, achieving 72% landfill diversion in 2023 through adoption of recycling and composting across the campus, an edible food recovery program, student-led clothing swaps, and Sustainable Move Out programs. 

Registration

Early Bird ends Feb 14: $250 (in-person or virtual). Discounts for students, educators, and advocates start at $125. Scholarships and volunteer opportunities available. Registration includes a 6 or 12-month NCRA membership. Register here.

Quote from NCRA Leadership

“For 30 years, Recycling Update has been the hub for innovation and collaboration in resource recovery in Northern California,” said Freddy Coronado, NCRA President “This milestone event is more than just recycling, it’s a celebration and sharing of proven and implemented Zero Waste solutions in California and beyond that have and continue to prevent landfilling, incineration, and the exploitation of Earth’s natural resources.”

Program Highlights?

RU delivers actionable insights and networking opportunities for advancing Zero Waste goals.

To learn more and register, visit our event website. 

Media Contact: Freddy Coronado via the NCRA Office.

NCRA Media Release, 2026 02 04 (pdf)

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!