P.O. Box 20444 Indianapolis, IN 46220-0444 Not-For-Profit Corporation Phone & Fax: 317-283-6226 e-mail address: [email protected] May/June 1998 Newsletter Co-Editors: Diane Mellinger, Jeff Myers, and Rudy Osenbaugh

• NRC Corner
  

  ARD News
  

In response to zero waste and other initiatives, the National Recycling Coalition is considering broadening the organization's mission. On April 18th, a one page questionnaire with three multiple-choice questions was mailed to 1,400 randomly selected NRC members.

The following is excerpted from an open letter to NRC membership from Bill Sheehan, Bobbi Tousey and Eric Lombardi. Sheehan and Tousey are current NRC board members and Lombardi is a past board member. Sheehan is national coordinator of the GrassRoots Recycling Network, Tousey is executive director of the North Carolina Env. Technologies Consortium, and Lombardi is executive director of Eco-Cycle, Inc. in Boulder.

Open letter to members of the National Recycling Coalition: Need for a holistic mission We see at least three reasons why NRC should embrace a holistic, full-system mission towards recycling.

First and foremost, most of the membership is there. We'll wager that most NRC members have chosen professions in this industry for reasons that transcend the purely economic. Just as most Americans recycle for larger environmental reasons, we believe that most NRC members fundamentally do so as well.

Second, our planet's life support systems are in danger. The public understands and supports recycling as an activity whose purpose is to both conserve resources and reduce wasting. As recycling technicians and professionals, we are in large part beneficiaries of this public trust. We have a responsibility to ask and measure how our efforts are actually reducing waste and contributing to a sustainable materials economy in other words to define our industry in relation to the big picture.

Third, NRC has an exciting opportunity to take a leadership role and be on the 'cutting edge.' As an NRC staff analysis noted "[P]olitical, fiscal and professional attention is turning away from recycling and toward upstream issues like remanufacturing, reuse and source reduction." Because of our professional expertise, we are well positioned to lead. But we can only be on the cutting edge if we adopt a holistic mission statement that acknowledges the larger picture. A bold goal such as eliminating waste is needed, and we are well positioned to develop and supply many of the details.

NRC must take clear stands on resource conservation, wasting and virgin material use if we are to stay on the cutting edge. By doing so, we will increase market share and profitability of recycling. And we may possibly make a difference in solving problems that go beyond the bottom line. For a copy of the full version of this email letter, contact Janet Fox Neltner, Executive Director, IRC at 317-283-6226 or by email at [email protected]

Plans are already underway for Indiana's 1998 celebration of America Recycles Day this November 15. While some things will stay the same, there are many new facets of this year's campaign. With a year of experience under the proverbial belt, this year's celebration promises to be even bigger and better.

The Indiana Recycling Coalition will again be the Sponsoring Organization for Indiana's ARD Campaign. The theme will again focus on closing the loop by "Buying Recycled", and there will also be national and state prize drawings. State sponsorships will be solicited, and organizations and businesses all around the state will be encouraged to plan events to celebrate the day.

New to the campaign are this year's Co-Chairs. Cathy Bastin, Education Coordinator from the West Central Indiana Solid Waste Management District, and Bobbi Steiff, Senior Environmental Manager from Indiana Department of Environmental Management's Office of Pollution Prevention and Technical Assistance, have been handed the reigns, and are already hard at work with their Executive Committee to plan and organize this year's activities. The Executive Committee consists of several people who will each oversee a segment of the statewide campaign.

Coordinating School Education will be Kristin Brier from the Wildcat Creek SWMD and Matt Frazer from the Fountain County SWMD. They will work with the committee to oversee a statewide effort to involve schools in the celebration through a contest or competition yet to be decided. Overseeing Media and Publicity will be Julie Frink of Johnson County SWMD and Cheryl Coverdale of Monroe County SWMD. Both will also be heard and seen from across the state on television interviews, radio spots, and articles/press releases.

Soliciting State Sponsors will be Kay Hayes from the Mideast Indiana SWMD and Jim Parker from Planergy/Home Appliance Recycling Center. Both cash and in-kind donations will be accepted, and state sponsors will receive a large amount of publicity throughout the next several months. The North Contact for the ARD committee will be Lisa Ashby of Lake County SWMD, and the South Contact will be Theresa Mahoney from Floyd County SWMD. If you have ideas or information on any of these topics, please contact these people who would LOVE your input! Two spots are still vacant on the Executive committee: Statewide Prize Chair and Statewide Events Coordinator. If you or someone you know would like to work with the committee in one of these areas, or want more information, please contact Cathy or Bobbi.

Also new this year will be an attempt to bring the "Buy Recycled" message to the malls across the state. A proposal has been submitted to the DeBartolo Group to create quality displays and encourage participation by stores within the malls. It is envisioned that organizations and groups near the malls will be able to hold presentations, skits, and award ceremonies near these display areas, and pledge cards will be distributed from these locations.

With this addition to the other events to be planned around the state, it is hoped to reach a large percentage of the state's population! The IRC will again be supporting a WEB page, as well as a new toll-free number to make it easier to get ARD information throughout the state. (Both are forthcoming). A Statewide Steering Committee will also meet in June to offer support and ideas for organizing events and receiving merchandise throughout the state.

Throughout the next several months you will undoubtedly be hearing more about America Recycles Day 1998! Take time now to challenge yourself and others to begin to expand your buy-recycled efforts, and see if you can make a new habit in time for the November celebration! For more information, call Cathy Bastin at 317-745-2491 or Bobbi Steiff at 317-233-5622.