As many of us in environmentally-related work know, April is usually the busiest time of the year as we celebrate Earth Day. But for NYSAR3, November is proving to surpass that season and I want to thank Board members, staff and our members that have taken responsibility to make it all happen. As you may know or will see in the newsletter there are two related conferences in November that you won’t want to miss and much, much more!
NYSAR3’s hybrid annual conference will be held November 9 & 10 in both virtual and in-person formats at the Otesaga in Cooperstown! We are monitoring the Covid-related data and will make any changes that are deemed necessary, but the conference will go on either way, so make sure you don’t miss out and sign up today! As many know, the conference usually features a ‘pre-conference’ day which focuses on a specific issue. However this year, instead of a day, we have partnered with the National Recycling Coalition (NRC) to co-sponsor the National Recycling Congress on November 3-4. Please note, the NRC conference is fully virtual. As a member, if you attend both conferences, not only will you get the member discount, but an additional discount as well. All NYSAR3 members are also members of NRC, so this is a perfect time to check out their work which reaches across the country.
Both programs will provide cutting-edge sessions and opportunities to interface with vendors and attendees, either in person or virtually. Because of this collaboration, NYSAR3 has been able to subscribe to a dynamic on-line hosting platform that will almost make if feel like you are there! Look for more details on these conferences below in this newsletter.
Additionally, NYSAR3 will be presenting the Annual Recycling Awards on November 10 as well as awarding a NEW grant dedicated to Community Reuse Projects at the Conference! We are extremely excited to support work at the top of the waste hierarchy and look forward to sharing with you the creative project(s) that will be funded.
I’d also like to especially thank NYSAR3’s Single Use Plastics Committee for working with NYSDEC on information that will help businesses and related groups as NY’s Expanded Polystyrene Foam Container and Polystyrene Loose Fill Packaging Ban goes into effect in January. You can find a bit more information on the ban below as well.
And finally, NYSAR 3 has several active committees and councils that are always looking for additional members. For more information check out our website or click here.
Looking forward to seeing you online and in Cooperstown!
Yours in waste reduction, reuse and recycling,
Gary Carrel
NYSAR3 President
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NYSAR3 is Putting Safety First at Our Annual Conference
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Hybrid Conference | November 9 & 10, 2021
The Otesaga - 60 Lake St, Cooperstown, NY 13326
For much of the past year, NYSAR3’s Conference Committee has been hard at work planning a Hybrid Conference featuring both in-person and virtual formats. NYSAR3 will host in-person sessions and networking events, such as the Exhibitor Show and Trivia Night, and has partnered with Hopin, a dynamic event management platform for our virtual participants.
NYSAR3 has the additional benefit of being selected as the state recycling organization host for the National Recycling Coalition’s Congress (November 3 & 4), which will be 100% online. As host, the Congress will have a NY and Northeast-centered track on November 4th. This will take the place of the traditional pre-conference day, and registrants for both will get a discount! For more info on registering to attend the virtual Congress, see below.
NYSAR3 is taking additional safety precautions to ensure the in-person event is as safe as possible.
FAQs as well as the full list of additional precautions will be posted on the NYSAR3 website. Some of these precautions for in-person attendees include:
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Attendees should follow the CDC Guidelines for travel as well as for Community and work.
- A mandatory mask requirement will be in place during all indoor conference activities outside of eating and drinking.
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NYSAR3 has worked with the Otesaga to accommodate additional spacing between chairs in session rooms.
- Conference attendees are asked to please stay home/switch to virtual if they are experiencing any Covid-19 symptoms, and/or have recently been exposed to anyone who has tested positive.
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Testing for Covid-19 is available throughout NYS and available to all NYS residents. To view testing locations available near you, please visit the NYS Coronavirus website.
The Otesaga has a Commitment to Care for their guests so you can feel safe and welcome. NYSAR3 also encourages those planning the Annual Conference in-person to take all the necessary precautions, including those recommended by the CDC guidelines above. Together, we can all work to keep everyone safe.
Registration information is available below. Remember: NYSAR3 members receive a discount for attending the NRC Congress.
Book your reservation for the Otesaga Hotel in Cooperstown, NY. Please call the hotel directly at 800-348-6222 to book your room at the special NYSAR3 rate. Please note: The hotel does have a cost-based cancellation policy and, Monday night rooms are completely booked. Close alternative accommodations can be found at The Cooperstown Inn.
You have the opportunity to change registration from in-person to virtual until November 1, 2021. Please contact Lisa Ruggero, to update your registration.
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The National Recycling Congress |
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NYSAR3 is proud to partner with the National Recycling Coalition (NRC) in hosting the virtual National Recycling Congress. Together, NYSAR3 and NRC will provide attendees with an in-depth look and expert discussions focused on best practices and the latest developments on national legislation, climate change, market development, circularity, buy recycled, justice, equity, diversity and inclusion.
Virtual Pre-Conference| November 3-4, 2021
We look forward to seeing you in November 2022!
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New York’s Expanded Polystyrene Foam Container and Polystyrene Loose Fill Packaging Ban and Proposed Part 353 Regulations
Effective January 1st, 2022, no covered food service provider or store (retail or wholesale) will be allowed to sell, offer for sale, or distribute disposable food service containers that contain expanded polystyrene foam in New York State. In addition, no manufacturer or store will be allowed to sell, offer for sale, or distribute polystyrene loose fill packaging (commonly referred to as packing peanuts) in the state.
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is proposing a new 6 NYCRR Part 353 to implement the prohibition on the sale and distribution of expanded polystyrene foam containers and loose fill “packing peanuts.” The public is invited to review and submit written comments on the proposed Part 353 rulemaking through November 22, 2021. A virtual public hearing will be held on November 15, 2021 at 1PM.
The DEC will provide interpreter services for hearing impaired persons, and language interpreter services for individuals with difficulty understanding or reading English, at no charge upon written request submitted no later than October 25, 2021.
For full text and more information about the proposed regulations, how to submit public comments, register for the virtual public hearing or submit a request for interpreter services at the hearing visit: https://www.dec.ny.gov/regulations/123704.html
Sign up to receive Expanded Polystyrene Foam Container and Polystyrene Loose Fill Packaging Ban announcements.
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Virtual Hearing Proposed Part 353 Expanded Polystyrene Foam Container and Loose Fill Packaging Reduction
Date: November 15, 2021
Time: 1:00 PM- 3:00PM
Location: Virtual
The electronic format is reasonably accessible to persons with impaired mobility. Interpreter services for hearing impaired persons, and language interpreter services for individuals with difficulty understanding or reading English are available upon request.
Register or submit a request for interpreter services here.
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NYS Assn for Reduction, Reuse & Recycling
1971 Western Ave, #1180
Albany, NY 12203-5066
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