WSRA's 41st Annual Conference, Sunny Days Ahead! |
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I know what you're thinking "Didn't we just have conference?"
We did! But 2021's about getting back on track and so much has happened over the past year that we felt there was more than enough material to bring you another conference that you wouldn't want to miss!
We Heard You - More Networking!
This year's conference schedule is modified to meet our member's needs: High quality sessions and content with more networking. We are so grateful to all your to your feedback from our last virtual conference and from that, we are building an even better conference.
Program Schedule:
The WSRA Conference Committee has been hard at work putting together another outstanding program for this year's Conference. Details and Sessions will be announced soon! Check out the general Conference Schedule and remember to check back as we continue to update!
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2021 Conference Logo Graphic Design Winner |
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Please join us in congratulating Kisha Baggs for winning out 2021 Conference Logo Contest! Kisha's logo was selected by the Conference Committee out of several incredible submissions because it met and exceeded all our criteria!
We want to thank the other talented Graphic Design artists for their submissions and making this such difficult choice! We will recognize several other submissions in next week's digest!
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Contact Kisha for your graphic design needs at:
Buddy-Girl Greetings
360.362.5257
Buddy-Girl Greetings Design Services offer a variety of graphic design services to help get your business off the ground, rebrand, or help you expand your clientele. We can work at an hourly rate or we offer a few flat rates depending on the project. Contact us today with any and all question and for a free project estimate!
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Conference Marketing Opportunities |
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The WSRA Conference attracts the Northwest’s leading recyclers; solid waste reduction specialists; city, county and state administrators; and environmentally-conscious private sector businesses. The exhibit hall at WSRA's Virtual Conference offers a unique opportunity to reach customers and clients, create new market relationships and enhance existing relationships, and showcase your programs. You can upload photos and videos, chat one-on-one with interested customers and clients, and will have the opportunity to participate in an exhibitor speed networking event!
Click the link below to view exhibitor opportunities.
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Our sponsorship's, which range from $100 to $5,000, are offered to businesses and organizations who would like visibility at the conference, on our website, and in our organization’s publications. Sponsoring the WSRA Conference is your opportunity to reach the WSRA membership and conference attendees while showing your commitment to the recycling industry in Washington state. If you're a Precious Metal Partner, please refer to your email with your promotional code prior to making your selections!
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Recycler of the Year and Hall of Fame Awards |
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The Recycler of the Year awards spotlight individuals, businesses, government agencies and community organizations that are making outstanding contributions to expanding and strengthening recycling and waste prevention. WSRA welcomes nominations of individuals and organizations that have demonstrated noteworthy dedication, innovation and success in recycling initiatives across the state.
Be sure to nominate a business or individual making strides to improve the recycling/waste reduction industry so they get the recognition they deserve!
A committee of recycling professionals and community members will review 2021 Recycler of the Year nominations and select recipients, whose accomplishments will be featured at our Annual Conference, to be held virtually on May 24 - 25, 2021.
Nominations are due by 5:00 PM on Friday, March 26, 2021.
To submit a nomination, simply download and fill out the form then email the completed form to recycle@wsra.net. |
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Student Guest Applications Now Being Accepted
WSRA is proud to offer student scholarships for our Annual Conference available to undergraduate and graduate students in Washington and AmeriCorps volunteers. These scholarships provide an outstanding opportunity for future leaders in the industry to network with leading industry professionals, expand their knowledge of recycling and waste reduction, and prepare themselves for a career in a rewarding and innovative field. Click here to view or download our informational flyer.
WSRA welcomes college students to apply for a scholarship to attend our Annual Conference and Trade Show.
We highly encourage WSRA members to share this opportunity through your own networks, alumni associations, and to students you think would be interested in attending the 2021 Conference and becoming more engaged in the recycling industry.
Application deadline is 5:00 PM on Friday, April 30, 2021
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The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 10 has issued a Request for Applications (RFA) from eligible entities to improve community health, resilience, and/or sustainability through pollution prevention and/or sustainable materials management implementation.
EPA Region 10 anticipates awarding approximately $120,000 under this announcement. Awards will be issued and managed through EPA’s Region 10 Office. EPA anticipates awarding 2-4 grants, ranging from $30,000 to $60,000. Electronic applications are due by Friday, April 30, 11:59 p.m. (EDT), submitted through grants.gov.
Eligible applicants include:
- Federally recognized tribes and intertribal consortia
- Region 10 states, local governments, city or township governments
- Independent school district governments
- State-controlled institutions of higher education
- Non-profit organizations
- Community-based grassroots organizations
Eligible projects must take place within EPA Region 10, which includes the states of Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Alaska.
If you have any questions about this grant program, please feel free to reach out to us:
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Methow Recycles Announces their next Executive Director!
On behalf of the Methow Recycles board of directors, I'm excited to let you know that Sarah Jo Lightner will succeed retiring Executive Director Betsy Cushman in leading the organization. Sarah Jo’s non-profit leadership experience, her many years of business ownership, and her enthusiasm for our mission made her the stand-out candidate in a strong field of applicants.
If you know Sarah Jo, you know what a great job she's done at Confluence Gallery. What you may not know is that she was born in Missouri, raised in Nebraska, studied agricultural economics at the University of Nebraska and silversmithing at Oregon College of Art and Craft. She worked in the restaurant business for 23 years, including owning and operating her own restaurant in Portland, OR for 12 years. Following her move to the Valley in 2010, she built a silversmithing studio at TwispWorks and became the mom of twin girls. In 2015 Sarah Jo joined the staff of Confluence Gallery and in 2018 she became its executive director.
Sarah Jo’s impressive work at Confluence Gallery and her energetic vision for the future of Methow Recycles really won us over. The board, staff, and I are very eager to work with Sarah Jo to expand our mission in the coming years.
As you know, we've been preparing for a leadership change for many months. Sarah Jo's selection followed a rigorous process and included feedback from staff, board, and community volunteers passionate about our work for a healthier planet.
We are working closely with Sarah Jo to ensure a smooth transition for both Methow Recycles and Confluence Gallery. We are right on track to meet Betsy's goal of a spring retirement too!
Please join us in congratulating Sarah Jo and welcoming her to Methow Recycles!
We're excited about the future!
Missy LeDuc
Methow Recycles board president
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NWRA's Revisiting the Lock Down: New Strategies Your Business Should Take to Get Workers Vaccinated & Tackle New COVID Laws
TODAY! March 17, 2021 from 8:00 AM - 9:30 AM It’s been a year after the Coronavirus lockdown. Vaccines are here and things are finally starting to return to normal! Yet, new COVID laws & getting vaccines to workers make pre-COVID business operations seem like a thing of the past. We will hear from NWRA’s workplace safety gurus: attorney and safety professional Adele Abrams Esq. and our very own Kirk Sander & Jim Riley. They will give you crucial information on how we can start getting our businesses back to normal. Click here to register.
NEBC Webinar: Expedited Voluntary Cleanup Program with the Washington State Department of Ecology. On Tuesday, March 23rd from 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM. Ecology’s Expedited VCP process The Washington State Department of Ecology developed a new expedited process within the Voluntary Cleanup Program (VCP) which launched in July 2020. We developed the new process as another independent cleanup option to further encourage cleanup and redevelopment in Washington State. The Expedited VCP process allows Ecology to respond to the needs of developers working under compressed schedules within predictable timeframes. Please join us to learn more about this new process, find out how Expedited VCP cleanups are progressing, and hear from a recent Expedited VCP customer. Fill Materials – A Growing Challenge in 2021 Properties with significant amounts of fill materials may have been skipped for development in past years since they can offer both geotechnical and environmental challenges. Now, as fewer properties may be available for new development, properties that were once passed on may become prime targets for new developments. This presentation summarizes the environmental challenges that can be presented at properties where fill materials are present. COST: NEBC Members: $25.00, Non-Members: $45.00 *Municipalities & state agencies may register at the member rate. Click here to register!
NERC: Reframing Recycling 2021
NERC’s Spring '21 Conference is a virtual two-day event on March 30 - 31 (1 p.m. – 5 p.m. daily). The Reframing Recycling in 2021 Conference provides the opportunity to discuss the industry's most pertinent issues, including: Canada's EPR programs, setting post-consumer recycling requirements, rPET markets, secondary sorting facilities, compostable packaging, refillable bottle programs, and US EPR programs. View the conference Agenda Here. Click here to register.
Law Seminars International: Ecosystems Restoration Webinar
April 14, 2021 from 9:00 AM - 5:30 PM. The country’s leading Environmental Restoration Experts to speak at this seminar. This intensive live/online seminar brings you critical information on new developments in restoration regulation and litigation. We are pleased to have the following renowned experts from around the country on the faculty to provide the latest updates. Click here for more details and to register.
WSRA's 41st Annual Conference and Trade Show: Sunny Days Ahead!
Join us on Monday and Tuesday May 24 - 25, 2021 for our 2nd virtual and 41st Annual Conference and Trade Show. Our two-day program will offer thought provoking keynotes, educational breakout sessions, and fun & interactive networking events! Visit wsra.net for more information!
WasteEXPO Conference
June 28-30, 2021 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Whether you are from the private sector, a small, medium or large public sector waste management company, organics management, or food waste management company, or a manufacturer or supplier from the U.S. or abroad, count on WasteExpo to bring the entire industry together under one roof. Click here to view event website. Click here to register.
If you have an upcoming event you would like included in an upcoming weekly digest, please email recycle@wsra.net.
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Waste Management
Kirkland, WA
WA State Department of Ecology
Lacey, WA
WA State Department of Ecology
Shoreline, WA
Cascadia Consulting Group
Seattle, WA
Seattle Public Utilities
Seattle, WA
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Seattle, WA
Southwest, WA
Seattle, WA
Edgewood, WA
Kirkland, WA
If you're looking for a career in the Recycling, Solid Waste, or Zero Waste industry email your resume to Recycle@wsra.net
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Thank you, Precious Metal Partners |
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WSRA's ability to connect, educate, and support our members is funded by memberships, sponsorships, and special events. Similar to many non-profits, COVID-19 has forced us to cancel our in-person events for the foreseeable future. This has drastically impacted our operating budget. In order to continue our mission in education and outreach, we need your support now more than ever.
We would greatly appreciate any contribution to help continue our programming.
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WSRA is a 501(c)(6) nonprofit. As such Contributions to section 501(c)(6) organizations are not deductible as charitable contributions on the donor's federal income tax return. They may be deductible as trade or business expenses if ordinary and necessary in the conduct of the taxpayer's business |
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Washington State Recycling Association | PO Box 2299, Port Orchard WA 98366
Recycle@WSRA.net | 206-622-8425 | wsra.net
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