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MATERIAL MATTERS
JUNE 2022 NEWSLETTER
Member Spotlight: LRS
(formerly Lakeshore Recycling Systems)

LRS has been a member for many years and given their continued growth in both geographic and service arenas, along with their reputation for above average material diversion, we are proud to highlight them. LRS is among the nation’s leading privately-held waste diversion, recycling and portable services providers. Since their formation in 2012, LRS has specialized in providing fully integrated waste diversion services for residents and businesses. They currently serve millions of customers across nine states: Illinois, Wisconsin, Iowa, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Tennessee, Arkansas and Kansas; operating more than 60 facilities, and "thrive on the passion and innovation of more than 2,000 full-time employees." LRS is involved in hauling refuse, traditional curbside recyclables, collecting and processing landscape materials, as well as providing full Construction and Demolition services. To learn more about LRS, click this link!
Members of the Illinois Recycling Foundation enjoy the benefit of spotlighting their Business, Government, Educational Institution or Non-Profit entity in a future Newsletter. If you would like to be featured, please send an email to info@illinoisrecycles.org.
CALL FOR SPONSORS / EXHIBITORS / ATTENDEES
CONFERENCE REGISTRATION NOW OPEN - JOIN US!
Joliet - August 30-31
Keynote Address & Awards Luncheon
18 Information Sessions
3 Tours to choose from: Compost, Recycling, Site Sustainability
Discounted Hotel Rate at Holiday Inn
Registration Fees at 2014 Rates
*****
THANK YOU TO OUR FIRST FIVE SPONSORS
Illinois Packaging EPR Webinar

This is your opportunity to hear a presentation on the draft legislation that has been in development by the Illinois Product Stewardship Council for the past six months. With calls for more recycling service, improvements in product recyclability and use of recycled content; there is plenty to consider and your feedback is strongly encouraged. PSI's Policy and Program Manager, Syndey Harris will be presenting. She has been involved in Packaging EPR efforts in several states.

Tuesday - June 28 - 10:00 am
ReThinking Waste Webinar

Get your imagination flowing in July!
Join us as we explore the various ways in which "trash" has been re-examined and waste diverted through out-of-the box creativity. Three unique approaches to tackle a myriad of materials.

Tuesday - July 26 - 10:00 am

BOTTLE BILL IMPACT ON MRFs CONTINUES TO BE DEBATED

Let's face some facts: We began as a statewide organization on the foundation of drop-off and curbside collection of bottles, cans and paper. Illinois has never been a Bottle Bill state but many attempts have been made to pass such legislation. There is no debate that there is less litter in Bottle Bill states and the glass, aluminum and plastic recovered is higher quality than items taken in a commingled collection. Still, convenience and taxes on the poor make Bottle Bills difficult to justify in Illinois. Couple it with the investment in MRFs and fear of the amount of material that would be lost to the MRFs, and it may not be worth the digital footprint writing the legislation takes each year in Springfield. However, the Container Recycling Institute, along with others, maintain that we will never reach the recovery numbers we seek and corporate sustainability plans ascribe to, without a deposit on bottles. Read the latest argument (courtesy of Resource Recycling), based on studies, that indicates MRFs won't lose much if they embrace Bottle Bills.
WELCOME ABOARD: Allessandra Kummelehne

The Illinois Recycling Foundation (IRF) Board of Directors and legislative affiliate, the Illinois Recycling Association (IRA) Board of Directors, have named Allessandra A. Kummelehne their new Executive Director. Kummelehne’s background as an executive director and sustainability professional, combined with a passion for driving sustainability initiatives within higher education, non-profits, and municipalities, will help further advance the mission of the IRF and IRA to encourage the responsible use of resources by promoting Waste Reduction, Re-Use and Recycling.
 
Under the leadership and direction of Ms. Kummelehne, the IRF and IRA will continue to:
·      Provide educational leadership through forums and programs to encourage the exchange of information and ideas between members and national organizations;
·      Promote waste reduction, re-use and recycling through public education; and
·      Promote market development that encourages sound recycling and composting initiatives.
·      Be the voice for the recycling community on state legislative and policy matters.

Please join the Board in welcoming Allessendra and be sure to call or email her about our August Conference!
BECOME A BOARD MEMBER

We encourage all of our members to be involved in committees. It is a great way to learn some of the tasks our Board Members undertake. Even if you haven't been on a Committee, you are still welcome to let us know if you are interested in becoming a Board Member. We strive to include a variety of skills from around the State so please submit a nomination form for consideration by July 10.
Legislative Update from IRA

As mentioned last month, legislators are busy with campaigning. The primary is coming up on June 28 and we encourage all members to vote. One of the demands placed on IRA this year was following the Rule Making process based on passage of a C&D bill last year. If you are interested in learning more about this process, click on this link to the Citizens Guide to Illinois Rulemaking.
Gov. J.B. Pritzker just signed Senate Bill 1915 banning single-use plastic in Illinois state parks. With most single-use plastic viewed as neither biodegradable nor recyclable, it is a serious concern in natural areas, threatening wild life as well as being an eye sore to visitors.. In 2023, the state has to offer either compostable or recyclable foodware in state parks and natural areas. Many may not see the real impact until 2024 when contracted vendors will be held to the standard. Bill sponsor, State Sen. Julie Morrison, was recently quoted by Axios, saying, "By implementing more biodegradable and reusable alternatives to plastic, we can put our communities on a path toward sustainability."
A Note from the President, Marta Keane
As the heat of summer hits early, it isn't slowing us down. We are moving full speed ahead hiring an exceptional new Executive Director, Allessandra Kummelehne with a deep understanding of sustainability and an interest in learning more about each of our members. Gloria McDonald has continued to go above and beyond to meet member needs while working diligently on our first in-person conference in two years. Chock full with 18 informative sessions on a variety of market conditions, EPR efforts, educational approaches and a choice of 3 tours, plus much more. Also, be sure to keep us on your press release list so we can cover your news in our social media and upcoming newsletter. Remember, Membership Matters!
AWARD NOMINATIONS

Recognize a deserving Recycling Industry Person or Organization. If you know someone who deserves special recognition for their work in the recycling industry, click here to submit an Awards Nomination Form. Winner(s) will be honored on August 30 at the Awards Luncheon as part of the 2022 Annual Conference.
SEND US YOUR POSTINGS

Nearly every business member and many government and institutional members have job openings. They are actually too numerous to list all, so please visit the IRF Membership Directory and find member's websites to see the jobs currently awaiting interested applicants.
YOUR PHOTOS REVEAL OUR ECONOMIC IMPACT

In an effort to do more on social media and make our website more reflective of our members, we are asking IRF Members to send photos of their recycling and collection operations. Pictures can be of office collection, residential drop-off, MRF sorting lines, curbside service, someone placing items in recycle bins, reuse events, compost operations, etc. Please send jpeg/jpg pictures to info@illinoisrecycles.org.
THANK YOU TO ALL WHO HAVE JOINED THE
ILLINOIS RECYCLING FOUNDATION FOR 2022
(It's not too late to add your name)
SPECIAL THANK YOU TO OUR 2022 IRF BENEFACTORS
Consider adding your logo here. Become a 2022 BENEFACTOR for $1000.
If you have already joined and would like to upgrade to this status, send an email to info@illinoisrecycles.org.
Why Membership is Important
As much as we appreciate everyone's interest in waste reduction, reuse, recycling and composting; our organization can only provide the educational and networking opportunities needed to bring private business, government, educational institutions and non-profits together if we have paying members. So, please, if you are an avid reader of this newsletter, which we know hundreds are each month, then become a member today. Click to JOIN or RENEW!

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@illinoisrecycles
"Men and nature must work hand in hand.
"The throwing out of balance of the resources of nature throws out of balance also the lives of men."
Franklin Delano Roosevelt, January 24, 1935
Illinois Recycling Foundation / Illinois Recycling Association, PO Box 411, Geneva IL 60134
708 358 0050
info@illinoisrecycles.org