The mission of SIRI, an Indiana Recycling Coalition sponsored Committee, is to seek and develop opportunities to reuse recyclable materials to the benefit of the regional economy and the goals of proper waste management and reduction. Promotion of cooperative efforts among public and private entities will emphasize regional pollution prevention and management of recyclable materials as valued resources. The objective is to divert maximum volumes from final disposal to viable economical reuse systems.
The Indiana Recycling Coalition (IRC), acts as an umbrella organization for SIRI. The IRC is a non-profit organization, covering the entire state of Indiana. Our members include businesses, government units, and individuals.
SIRI is made up of people interested in cultivating the practices of waste reduction, reuse, and recycling, to improve our local and regional economies in Southern Indiana.
SIRI participants come from a wide variety of backgrounds and workforces. Regular participants include employees of Southern Indiana’s Solid Waste Management Districts, city recycling officials, business and industry professionals, and leaders of non-profit groups.
SIRI participants strive to share their knowledge and experiences with others, with the belief that better waste management practices will not only promote a healthier environment, but also a healthier economy. One focus of SIRI is bringing informational resources to the Southern Indiana business community, enabling them to initiate or to improve existing waste reduction programs. Everyone is welcome to participate in SIRI.
SIRI participants have a variety of resources and expertise and many can provide local assistance as follows:
• Provide information about waste management programs for households, schools, organizations, businesses, and industry.
• Supply real life examples of successful programs that keep valuable resources from being wasted, while reducing disposal costs and increasing profit margins. See the next section for one of these success stories!
• Assist businesses, organizations, and industry by providing waste assessments.
• Connect businesses, organizations, and industry with other entities for waste exchange and information sharing opportunities.
Start thinking about the materials that you use. Ask yourself questions like:
• Are these materials used only once, then thrown away?
• Could a less wasteful material be used as a substitute?
• Could a lighter weight material be used?
• Could a less toxic material be used?
• Could you reuse waste products or could they be used by someone else? Could they be recycled?
Are you are a business or organization who already recycles? If so, we want to recognize your efforts! Local solid waste management districts who participate in SIRI are offering a Recycling Recognition Program. Just contact the solid waste management district covering your county to see if this program is available in your area.
SIRI regularly meets every other month on the second Wednesday of the month. Typically, meetings are conducted in the morning, followed by a lunch. SIRI meeting months are: January, March, May, July, September, and November. Meetings locations vary throughout southern Indiana. Anyone is welcome to attend SIRI meetings.
To find out more about participating in an upcoming meeting, getting on the SIRI email distribution list, or finding out who is a SIRI participant in your area, contact SIRI chairperson Tommy Thomason of the Dubois County Solid Waste Management District at [email protected] or (812) 481-7040.