Oak Brook, IL – Last week the Illinois Recycling Association kicked off their annual conference held this year in Oak Brook, IL.  This year’s conference “Greening Illinois Together” was a joint venture with the Illinois Chapter of SWANA.

RRS consultants Anna Collinson and Katy Duggan-Haas were stationed at the RRS/Carton Council booths where attendees learned about adding aseptic packaging to their program, had an opportunity to win a basket of goodies, and completed the  State of Illinois Recycling Opportunities Survey 2010.

The  State of Illinois Recycling Opportunities Survey 2010 is a joint project with the Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity (DCEO) designed to help analyze the scope and direction of their future recycling related initiatives.  The data will be used as a tool for local recycling officials to more accurately respond to recycling opportunities in the State.  Ms. Collinson also be shared what had been collected so far during a breakout session on Wednesday June 9^th.

Collinson says “the survey is an important step in determining recycling opportunities in the State.  I encourage anyone who works in the recycling industry in Illinois, whether you are a government official, hauler or processor, to fill out the survey.”

On Tuesday June 8^th at 10am Anna also presented on ReTRAC during the “Measuring Waste Generation” break out session.  ReTRAC is an online tool for municipalities to track their waste generation and is a part of the Emerge tracking products.

RRS was the “carbon sponsor” helping to make this event carbon neutral.

Detroit, MI –After months of traveling to other states for conferences, RRS is pleased to be attending the Michigan Recycling Coalition’s (MRC) annual conference in our own backyard.  The “Recycling Renaissance” conference is being held at the beautiful Renaissance Center in Detroit Sunday May16th thru Wednesday May 19^th.

Conference attendees will have a wide range of activities, plenary sessions and educational sessions from which to choose.  Top activities include a tour of the new Great Lakes Recycling single stream facility in New Boston, Michigan, tour of the Greater Detroit Resource Recovery Facility, Master Business Recycler training, Ford Rouge Plant tour and a good old Detroit Tigers baseball game. 

Read the whole story…

Ann Arbor, MI – Biomass, biomass fuel, biomass power, carbon neutral electricity – what does it all mean? Biomass is simply organic waste, normally in the form of urban wood waste, forest and wood processing debris or food processing and agricultural crop residues, which is used to generate power instead of being dumped in the landfill.  On May 4^th, professionals from across the world will gather in Minneapolis, Minnesota to discuss developments in biomass energy and attend the 3^rd annual  International Biomass Conference and Expo. Read the whole story…

Indianapolis, IN – Visitors to Indianapolis, Indiana will have a lot of activities to choose from during the week of May 4^th.  They can check out Bob the Builder at the Children’s Museum, tour the Indy 500 speedway, or attend the Indiana Recycling Coalition 21^st annual conference.  Even Bob the Builder will be pleased to see professionals from throughout Indiana and the Midwest choosing to attend the IRC conference to network and discuss key recycling issues with community leaders, vendors, consultants, and peers. Read the whole story…

Lansing, MI – We grow up hearing slow down, don’t run with scissors, look both ways before crossing the street, and don’t jump on the bed.  These messages of safety first stay ingrained within all of us throughout our lives and are just as important in the workplace.  Since 1929, the Michigan Safety Conference has held an annual conference with the goal of providing quality workplace safety training that all employees can afford. Read the whole story…

Detroit, MI –On May, 17, 2010, America’s past time and recycling will combine as RRS hosts a special ‘home game’ event for the members of the Michigan Recycling Coalition(MRC) at Comerica Park as the Detroit Tigers take on the Chicago White Sox.   The game will be in conjunction with the MRC’s 29^th annual conference. This year’s conference, “A Recycling Renaissance” will take place May 17^th thru the 19^th at the Renaissance Center in downtown Detroit. Read the whole story…

Lansing, MI—  Want to turn your garbage into gold? For the people who attended the Michigan Composting Council’s (MCC) conference on March 31, 2010, that statement doesn’t bring up images of garage sales but of compost.  Known as gardener’s gold, compost can help produce healthier flowers, plants, and vegetables.  Read the whole story…

Arlington, VA—  As federal legislatures worked towards signing the health care bill, another government agency, The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) hosted composting professionals at a two day training workshop as part of the Resource Conservation Challenge (RCC) .  The workshop was held in Arlington, VA on March 24^th and 25^th.

In its fourth year, the RCC workshop is an annual event sponsored by the EPA to give environmental and conservation professionals an opportunity to have an open dialogue on issues facing our natural resources. This year’s focus was around life cycle materials management.

As a part of the life cycle materials management focus, a half day problem solving “round table” was held on March 24^, 2010 to discuss food waste in the United States.

Food waste is the third largest waste stream in this Country behind paper and yard waste. Much of what goes into a landfill can either be used to feed the hungry or can be composted to create nutrient rich soil.

RRS is proud to announce that Principal Nicole Chardoul, who is among the nation’s leading experts on food waste and composting, participated in the round table.  Chardoul says “It was an honor to participate in this year’s RCC workshop.  Recycling and reusing organics like food waste is a vital step in conserving our natural resources. I value the opportunity to educate others on the benefit of composting and participate in an open discussion on how to reduce the amount of food waste being landfilled.”

Chicago, IL— Windy City, here we come! RRS Principal Jim Frey and Anna Collinson will head out to Chicago, Illinois to attend the  new national business and technology Residential Recycling Conference (RRC) hosted by Waste & Recycling News and Republic Services on March 23,  and 24, 2010.

Over 200 hundred waste and recycling professionals including processors, vendors and government recycling managers and public works directors will gather at the Hyatt Regency O’Hare in Chicago to attend educational sessions on collection technologies, commodity markets, recycling safety, measuring program goals and success, and increasing participation in your recycling program.  Attendees will have the opportunity to learn about how to grow their recycling program as well as network with an extensive group of recycling professionals.

Jim and Anna will be on hand to talk with you about tangible ways to improve your residential recycling program through positive revenue business solutions, technology and incentive upgrades, best practices for sound contracting as well as essential community education and outreach avenues to maximize the best bang for your municipal buck.  Additionally, they will be sharing information on the Carton Council’s initiative to increase recycling efforts for aseptic packaging like cartons and juice boxes.  Look forward to seeing you in Chicago!

Wisconsin Dells, WI— The self proclaimed “Waterpark Capital of the World”, Wisconsin Dells, will be invaded this week by more than just families with cabin fever.  The City will be the host of the annual Wisconsin Integrated Resource Management Conference.

Read the whole story…