2018 WRED Events

What’s Happened in 2018: 

February 9, 2018 | Tour of Nucor Steel Seattle
Seattle, WA

March 29, 2018 |  ContaminationFest 2018 – From Consumer to Bin to Truck to MRF
LeMay Pierce County Refuse, Tacoma WA

We kicked off the 2018 event calendar with a sold-out, swim down the commingled recycle stream as we follow the flow of materials from consumer, to bin, to truck and MRF. In the wake of China’s National Sword, we explored the reality of recycling contamination, how bad it is, and potential solutions to clean our act up. Attendees took some time to see first-hand, how automated collection works, what comes out of the truck and what sorted bales look like with the help of our hosts, LeMay Pierce County Refuse and Pioneer Recycling Services. Attendees also learned about tagging programs, education and enforcement tactics at the consumer level, as well as how the MRF is looking at reducing contamination. The attendees then participated in a group discussion on how Washington can better message to consumers, and how to focus efforts on communicating and collaboration.

Presentations

• Recycling at the Curb – A Brief History – Candy Castellanos, Radiant Consulting
  • Candy is willing to come and present this information at SWAC and other stakeholder meetings. If you are interested please contact her directly at cvc@ignitepositivechange.com.)
• Evolution of Recycle Collection for the City of Olympia – Ron Jones, City of Olympia Waste ReSources
• Clark County Recycling Done Right Campaign – Kim Harless, Clark County Public Health
• Multifamily Outreach in Pierce County – Sheryl Rhinehart, Pierce County Planning and Public Works
• Enforcement Tactics at the Curb – Abby Hart, Republic Services
• Tactics to Reduce Contamination – Scott Seward, City of Olympia Waste ReSources
• What can a MRF Do? – Dave Claugus, Pioneer Recycling Services
• Communicating Recycling in Washington – Justin Gast, The Recycling Partnership
  • Additional Resources from The Recycling Partnership
    • Contamination Reduction Kit – Will be available soon on The Recycling Partnership website  
    • 6 Steps to Fight Contamination
    • Cart Tagging Training Video
• Cleaning up the Recycling Stream Through Education and Outreach – Alli Kingfisher, WA Dept. of Ecology

Sponsors and Hosts

June 28, 2018 | Tour – Repurpose, Reuse and Recycle; the Washington State Surplus Operation
Washington State Surplus | 7511 New Market St SW, Tumwater, WA 98501

July 25 & 26th, 2011 | Tour – Sort, Melt, Repeat: How Glass Gets Recycled
Tour of Strategic Materials and Ardagh Group | Seattle, WA

View photos on our Facebook Page and find out more about Ardagh’s products HERE. 

September 11, 2018 | The Paper Chase – The Ins and Outs of Paper Recycling
Lacey Community Center | Lacey, WA

We continued our 2018 events with an all day forum on the Ins and Outs of Paper Recycling. Over 75 attendees learned about the various types of paper mills located in Washington state, the mechanics of how paper is recycled, the types of paper that are accepted for recycling, and why certain materials are contaminants at one type of paper mill and not at the other.The panel of experts provided an overview of challenges involved with recycling paper, including a description of the regulatory landscape, the impacts of the China National Sword policies, the new economics of paper recycling, and how local mills are adapting to these changes.

Presentations

• Deep Cuts: The Evolution and Impacts of China’s National Sword Policy – Dan Leif, managing editor, Resource Recycling Magazine
• Catalog of Paper Mills in WA and OR – Eric Elliott, Seattle University
  • Download the Catalog of Paper Mills HERE
  • Download the full report by Eric Elliott and Matt Morgano for King County HERE
• NORPAC Operations Overview – Jay Simmons, NORPAC
• WestRock Operations Overview – Patrick Hartnett, WestRock
• Buying Fiber for Paper Mills – Charley Hathaway, Northwest Procurement Solutions, LLC
• Mission Possible – Paper Recycling at MRFs – Dave Claugus, Pioneer Recycling Services
• Global Challenges and Local Opportunity – Terry Webber, American Forest & Paper Association

Sponsors 

October 30, 2018 | The Shirt Off Your Back – The State of Textile Recycling, Reuse, and Repair Today
REI Flagship Store | Seattle, WA

Through this joint event of WSRA and Zero Waste Washington, we explored the impact of textiles on the waste stream, consumer behavior related to buying clothing and other products, the reuse and recycling of textiles, as well as looking upstream to designers and brands who are weaving durability and sustainability into their products. 100 attendees heard from a number of experts from local and national leaders in clothing and gear reuse, fast fashion impacts, repair, and innovative design. Hosted by REI Co-Op at their flagship store we heard about the challenges, innovations, and solutions that are available when it comes to the shirt on your back getting another life!

Presentations from the Event:

• The Impact of Textiles on the Waste Stream and Where are We Going from Here – David Stitzhal, President, Full Circle Environmental
• Designing for the Circular Economy -Kamal Patel, Digital Product Designer, Circular Economy Designer
• Research Perspective: The Role of Consumer Behavior – April Atwood, PhD, Faculty, Seattle University
• REI’s Approach: Reuse, Repair, Reselling – Sue Long, Sustainability Initiative Manager, REI Co-op
• Repair and Reuse Approaches
  • Shannon Conrad, Manager, Rainy Pass Repair
  • Michelle Flores, Director of Sales and Merchandising, Renewal Workshop
  • Shan Sparling, Program Manager, Ragfinery
• Panel Discussion – Designing for the Circular Economy, Durability, and Upcycling
  • Lilah Horwitz, RENEW Designer, Eileen Fisher Renew
  • Ciel Kullman-Glover, Zumiez
  • Lindsay Lawrence, Metamorphic Gear
  • Casey Sagisi, Program Manager, NW Sewn
  • Ruth True, Nube9
  • Gabriel-Bello Diaz, Channel Sales Manager, Efficio
  • Sue Long, Sustainability Initiative Manager, REI Co-op

December 5, 2018 | WSRA Fall Policy Forum
City of Federal Way City Hall | Federal Way, WA

We gathered for our annual forum to hear about policies and legislation, including discussion of the impacts of the China National Sword policy on our state’s recycling infrastructure. The 2019 Washington legislature begins in January, so we heard from industry experts and legislators about bills that will be introduced and the impact they may have on the recycling and solid waste industry.

Presentations from the event:

• WUTC China Sword Update – Kyle Murphy, Legislative and Policy Advisor, Utilities and Transportation Commission.
• Sustainable Recycling bill – Julie Robertson, WA State Department of Ecology
• Recyclable Materials Bill – Vicki Christophersen, Washington Refuse & Recycling Association (WRRA) lobbyist
• Plastic Bag bill – Representative Strom Peterson
• Plastic Packaging Stewardship Bill – Representative Strom Peterson, Sego Jackson, Seattle Public Utilities
• Paint Stewardship bill – Representative Strom Peterson
• Compostability labeling bill – Michele Riggs, President, Washington Organic Recycling Council (WORC)
• Litter Tax – Jan Gee, CEO/President, Washington Food Industry Association (WFIA)