Legislative Breakfast Event CANCELED
To ensure everyone's health and safety, this in-person event at the Iowa State Capitol scheduled for January 21 is canceled.
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January 20, 1 p.m.
Depackaging & Commercial Composting - An Integrated System for Organics Recycling
Register Here
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January 26 & 27
Virtual COMPOST 2021 Conference
Register Here
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January 27, 1 p.m.
Government Recycling Demand Champion Program - Introduction
Register Here
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January 28 1 p.m.
Recycling Markets in 2021
Register Here
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"The dumpster fire of 2020 has finally burnt its last smoldering flame, and I could not be more grateful. Coronavirus, derecho, cancelation of our fall conference, crazy campaign commercials and elections, and poor recycling markets combined have put, should I say, a “slight strain” on our normal way of doing things.
On the contrary, though, many of us have found that you really can sustain employment not having to drive into work every day, but instead, work from home. Many of us have grown our technical knowledge to help us interconnect. I can venture to say that we will never do business the way we used to. This can be good for some and an adjustment for others who rely on interacting at work physically, looking another co-worker in the eye, recognizing their body language, negotiating a new process, or gaining insight towards a new sale. The transition is here. We will continue to adapt, continue to morph out of our human cocoon and realize that we can change.
I want to thank the IRA Board of Directors and our Administrator, Shannon Meister, for carrying on the efforts of the organization in trying times. It takes a lot to process the volumes of ideas, information, processes, and different views to keep this boat sailing. Here’s to better winds in Iowa for 2021."
-Alan Schumacher, IRA President
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"Growing old in this business of sustainability in the state of Iowa, I have met some tremendous people along the way. One of my “team tremendous” was John Donahue. John was a robust energetic fella with a sly smile and a grateful heart. He welcomed me into the business when I was a greenhorn working for City Carton Recycling.
John spent some quality time on our IRA Board of Directors. Always one to take the time to visit, inspire his passion for our earth, and leave his work to show for his efforts. I, like many of us, will miss this guy tremendously. He leaves behind his immediate family, including his soulmate Teresa, our former IRA Executive Director. May peace be with you our friend." -Alan Schumacher, IRA President
John's obituary can be viewed here. (Photo source: Cedar Memorial)
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Congratulations to the newly elected Iowa Composting Council leadership! Here are the recent election results:
Director: Jennifer Trent, Iowa Waste Reduction Center
Chair: Jeff Phillips, SCS Engineers
Vice Chair: Abe Sandquist, Natural Fertilizer Product, Inc.
Secretary: Lea Hensel, Foth Infrastructure and Environment
This leadership team will work to develop and expand the Iowa Composting Council.
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Over the next few months, we will highlight the individuals that make up the IRA Board of Directors.
Kate Bartelt
Kate Bartelt is starting on her second year on the IRA Board and is a member of the Communications and Programming, Membership and Conference Committees. Kate works as a Project Manager and Environmental Scientist at Foth Infrastructure and Environment with 15 years of experience specializing in planning, designing, and implementing integrated waste management systems. She has provided environmental, socio-political, and financial expertise to design waste management strategies. Kate was born in Iowa but lived in the Twin Cities, MN, for 15-years. She is excited to be back living in Sioux City, Iowa.
Jason Evans
Jason is in his tenth year as Director of Education for the Cedar Rapids Linn County Solid Waste Agency, where he works with teachers, students, and Agency staff developing and delivering environmental education and waste management curricula. He is grateful for the work Iowans have put into their environment but knows there is much more we need to accomplish. As recycling changes, so must our habits in purchasing choices and product end-of-life decisions. We live in a beautiful state and Jason is proud to work to maintain and improve upon it. As a former elementary teacher, he firmly believes it begins with education.
Beth MacKenzie
Beth recently began her second term as an IRA Director. In that time, she has served as Secretary and Vice President, and has chaired (or co-chaired) the Communications, Membership, Nominating/Board Management, and Strategic Planning committees. Beth came to Iowa in 2016 to work in the Office of Sustainability at the University of Iowa as Recycling Coordinator. She now serves as Sustainability Program Manager at the UI.
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Meet your IWE Area Resource Specialist: Alicia Presto
Content Sourced from Iowa Waste Exchange
Alicia Presto is an Iowa Waste Exchange (IWE) Resource Specialist and Environmental Planner at the East Central Iowa Council of Governments (ECICOG) in Cedar Rapids. She has worked at ECICOG for almost eight years after working at Region 6 Resources in Marshalltown for three years.
She has a Bachelor of Science in Community and Regional Planning from Iowa State University and a Master of Science in Urban and Regional Planning from the University of Iowa. Alicia enjoys providing Iowa Waste Exchange assistance because she can get her hands dirty while building relationships and providing support to the diverse businesses, organizations, and communities throughout her region. Area 4 includes Benton, Iowa, Johnson, Jones, and Linn County.
While not at work, Alicia enjoys cooking, reading, and spending time with her family and friends.
You can contact Alicia via email at alicia.presto@ecicog.org or via phone at (319) 365-9941 ext. 121. Find your IWE Specialist at their website.
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“Reduce, Reuse, Reimagine” Event Series
Join the Recycling & Reuse Technology Transfer Center (RRTTC) for the online, no cost event series starting in February. More information here.
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