MassRecycle Podcast

In this episode Waneta and Gretchen are joined by John Fischer, Deputy Division Director for Solid Waste Materials Management at MassDEP, and Delia Camacho, a Vice President at AshBritt.  A disaster management plan is something every municipality needs, but is also something that gets pushed to the bottom of the list. Delay no longer: You need a plan.  In this episode you will get guidance, resources, and the jump start you need to put together a plan for your municipality.  The post Episode 50: Disaster Debris Management [https://massrecycle.org/podcast/episode-50-disaster-debris-management/] first appeared on MassRecycle [https://massrecycle.org].

In this episode, Waneta and Gretchen sit down with Mary Ann Remolador, of the Northeast Recycling Council (NERC), to discuss her decades of experience in waste reduction and recycling. Mary Ann shares her insights on the evolution of recycling programs across the Northeast and the role of NERC in advancing sustainable materials management. Tune in for a deep dive into the intricacies of recycling with one of the field’s most experienced leaders. The post Episode 49: An Insider’s View with Mary Ann Remolador [https://massrecycle.org/podcast/episode-49-an-insiders-view-with-mary-ann-remolador/] first appeared on MassRecycle [https://massrecycle.org].

Waneta and Gretchen are joined by Jan Ameen, Executive Director of the Franklin County Solid Waste Management District to discuss her research into what to do with vape devices.  Complicated regulatory issues surround the components of these devices, from controlled substance concerns to battery disposal issues. We usually talk about recycling, but some vape devices have no end point whatsoever. When there is nowhere to put something, it goes into the waste stream and the inherent dangers are put on the waste workers.  What do we do with these devices at the end of life? The answers are not straightforward, but there are some options. Listen and learn more about this complicated, and growing issue. The post Episode 48: Vaping Device Disposal [https://massrecycle.org/podcast/episode-48-vaping-device-disposal/] first appeared on MassRecycle [https://massrecycle.org].

Waneta and Gretchen are joined by Gail Sowerder Garron, Regional Planner for MassDEP, and Alison Beucler, Sanitation and Hazardous Material Program Manager for the City of Somerville, to discuss food waste diversion in K-12 schools. Food waste contributes significantly to the overall waste generated by schools. Discover the successes and challenges of existing programs, ranging from administrative initiatives to student-led efforts. There’s no single approach to starting a program, and you will learn from their experiences and access resources for your district. If you are a volunteer or school employee, reach out to gail.garron@mass.gov [gail.garron@mass.gov] for Green SWoRD School Waste Reduction and Diversion resources. The post Episode 47: Organics Diversion in K-12 Schools [https://massrecycle.org/podcast/episode-47-organics-diversion-in-k-12-schools/] first appeared on MassRecycle [https://massrecycle.org].

11/16/22 — Boston, Massachusetts Center for Computing & Data Sciences at sundown Nov 16.Photo by Cydney Scott for Boston University Photography   Waneta and Gretchen are joined by Sarah Healey, MassRecycle Board member and Zero Waste Manager at Boston University, to discuss building your Zero Waste goals into your contracts. Sarah has been on both sides of the waste contract, previously working for Casella Waste Systems.  To work toward  90% diversion, BU has implemented Resource Management Contracting, a system that  incentivizes waste reduction over time.  Learn how to build your sustainability goals into your contracts, how to get buy-in from all parties, and look toward the future all in this invaluable episode! See Sarah’s presentation on Contracting for Zero Waste from the 2024 MassRecycle Conference, and a treasure trove of reference documents here [https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1rZdD_zuf5C13_ly44JmI5D3Td4hSO6O6?usp=drive_link]. The post Episode 46: Contracting for Zero Waste [https://massrecycle.org/podcast/episode-46-contracting-for-zero-waste/] first appeared on MassRecycle [https://massrecycle.org].