This year's Exhibit Hall is nearly full, but we have just a few spots left!  The CRA boasts one of  the best Exhibit Halls around, with vendors from all over the nation, the top companies in  the  recycling industry and 100's of attendees ready to do business.  We keep the exhibit hall buzzing with a treasure hunt, receptions, tasty meals, free stuff, a silent and live auction featuring the comedic stylings of our friend and colleague Jason Hale.  Do you want to miss this opportunity?  No, of course you don't.  Sign up today!

 

Click here for more info on exhibiting

CRA's Program Committee works hard every year to bring you the best content at the conference!  This year's program is no exception. With 13 breakout sessions, three general sessions, the Conversation Cafe networking event, and plenty of networking and fun built-in, we promise you're going to love it!  Speakers and additional information will be included in the final conference program to be released closer to the conference dates in March.   

Click here to view the 2017 Preliminary Program

View the Sea Haven Needs List Here

In February, SC Dept of Commerce and the SC Dept of Health and Environmental Control teamed up with EPA Region IV to host over 55 food recovery experts in SC for a one-day meeting at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center to advance food recovery initiatives. Representatives diverting surplus food gave examples of early successes, and discussion focused on how organizations in SC can help cut food waste in half by 2030 as part of the Don't Waste Food SC campaign.

The Convention Center has been taking the Don't Waste Food SC campaign to heart.  With a little bit of education, the right containers, and the appetite for creating a healthier environment, the Convention Center  staff jumped right into composting food scraps with  Atlas Organics last April. Atlas, who supports the Midlands and Upstate areas with hauling and composting operations, trained staff on the new system. In addition to composting, CMCC's onsite food and beverage provider, looks at preventing food waste on the front end by asking for a guaranteed number of attendees just 3 business days before the event to ensure accurate food preparation and minimal waste.  Also, focusing on donation for surplus food, using food safety guidelines, the caterer donates uneaten food to shelters in in Midlands area to combat food insecurity in Columbia, SC. 
   

The Foam Recycling Coalition, a part of the Foodservice Packaging Institute, opened its grant submission process to support increased recycling of packaging made from foam polystyrene. The FRC seeks applicants looking to start or strengthen a post-consumer foam
polystyrene recycling program.

This initiative helps fund infrastructure for the collection, processing and marketing of products made from foam polystyrene. It targets post-consumer foam polystyrene products including foodservice packaging (i.e., cups, plates, bowls, clamshells, cafeteria trays) and other types of packaging, such as egg cartons; meat trays; and protective packaging (used when shipping electronics and other fragile items). Applications must be submitted by April 17.

Check out the full press release at FPI