This Week in Recycling

What Goes Into a Successful ReMA-JASON Learning Partnership

On Thursday, May 7, ReMA’s New England Chapter hosted an awards ceremony for the winners of the Connecticut state JASON Learning Contest in partnership with the Boys and Girls Village. Students also received a tour of ReMA member HW Green’s recycling operation, connecting classroom learning to real-world opportunities. Now in its second year, the Connecticut state-JASON Learning Contest is an example of a successful partnership between a ReMA chapter, JASON Learning, and dedicated special education teacher Nicholas LaVecchia, who works at Charles F. Hayden School at Boys & Girls Village. On this episode of This Week in Recycling we chat with Krista Ostuno, president of HW Green, who served as a judge for the Connecticut state JASON Learning contest. She discusses how championing programs that inspire the next generation allows the recycled materials industry to not only open doors to rewarding careers but also empower students to see the vital role recycling plays in the economy, environment, and daily life.

Connecting Habitat Conservation, Human Rights, and Electronics Recycling

On Wednesday, April 22, Natalie Messer Betts, ReMA’s Vice President of Sustainability and Materials Systems, attended the Baker Institute’s Center for Energy Studies’ second Annual Sustainability Summit in partnership with the University of Houston and Recycling Science Council (RSC). The summit convenes researchers, industry leaders, policymakers, and students to examine sustainability challenges through a systems-level perspective. On this episode of This Week in Recycling, Betts shares her experience participating in the summit and speaking on a panel entitled “Wildlife, Waste, and Conservation. Linking E-Waste to Species Conservation,” which highlighted the role recycling plays in preserving biodiversity, conserving wildlife, and protecting human rights through reducing mining in sensitive wildlife habitats and vulnerable communities.

Safety Tips and Tools for National Electrical Safety Month

May is National Electrical Safety Month, spearheaded by the Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI), which works to reduce fires, fatalities, injuries, and property loss related to electrical mishaps and negligence. ESFI and ReMA have partnered on resources to promote lithium-ion battery recycling and educate the public on how to purchase, use, and recycle these batteries safely. On this episode of This Week in Recycling we chat with Daniel Majano, Program Director at ESFI, about electrical safety month, how to stay safe when encountering overhead powerlines, safe battery handling, and the importance of the partnership between ReMA and ESFI.

The Economic and Sustainability Stories Go Hand in Hand: An Inside Look at ReMA’s New Economic Impact Study

ReMA has released a new Economic Impact Study on Earth Day, underscoring the essential role recycled materials play in powering American manufacturing, strengthening supply chains, and advancing environmental sustainability. On this episode of This Week in Recycling, we chat with Emily Sanchez, ReMA’s Chief Economist, about the major takeaways from the study, and how the industry has been delivering the economic story, the sustainability story, and the American jobs story for more than 100 years.

The Road to ReMA2026: RERF's New Fundraiser and Silent Auction

The Recycling Education and Research Foundation (RERF) is a nonprofit organization associated with ReMA. Since its founding, RERF has funded valuable industry research and has awarded more than $1.6 million scholarships to more than 1200 students across the country. By funding research and providing academic scholarships, the foundation continues to raise the profile of the recycled materials industry. Recently, the RERF Board decided to raise to get K9 service animals to veterans in need. On this episode of This Week in Recycling, we chat with Rickey Dana, RERF Program Director, and Jason Brenner, RERF Board Member and President of Brenner Recycling, all about the new fundraiser as well as the upcoming RERF silent auction at ReMA2026 in Las Vegas.