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• 2020 STAR North Texas Environmental Leadership Awards

  • Start
    Fri, May 08, 2020
  •  
    9:00 AM (CDT)
  • End
    Mon, June 29, 2020
  •  
    5:00 PM (CDT)
  • Location
    online

  

  STAR North Texas is pleased to announce the call for entries for the 2020 Environmental Leadership Awards.

  The STAR North Texas Environmental Leadership Awards annually recognize the outstanding contributions of individuals, communities, and businesses for developing or maintaining programs involving recycling and other sustainability efforts in North Texas. 

  This year we are excited to announce a new category - The All-STAR Elected Official - which will highlight someone in local, regional, state, or federal level politics who is advancing sustainability and protecting the Texas environment.

  Online applications are due on Monday, June 29th, and winners will be notified the week of July 15th. Please take this opportunity to let everyone know about your awesome programs and innovative sustainable efforts.

  Winners of the STAR North Texas awards will progress to the state-level awards judging process and have a chance at being honored at the Annual STAR Recycling and Composting Summit: Texas Environmental Leadership Awards Ceremony to be held in Austin, October 6th, 2020 if selected as winners.

  For more information about the STAR Recycling and Composting Summit, please visit: https://www.recyclingstar.org

  Download the awards description packet here:

  2020 STAR NTx Awards Packet

  Submit your awards nomination here:

  Submit Your Nomination
  

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• 2020 Texas Environmental Leadership Awards

  • Start
    Fri, May 29, 2020
  •  
    12:00 PM (CDT)
  • End
    Fri, July 10, 2020
  •  
    5:00 PM (CDT)

  
  

  The call for nominations for the 2020 Texas Environmental Leadership Awards is open!

  The Awards annually recognize the outstanding contributions of individuals, communities, and businesses for developing or maintaining programs involving recycling and other sustainability efforts across Texas.

  Nominations close July 10th at 5 pm CST, so nominate your most recognition-deserving recycling colleagues now!

  Apply here!

  
  

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• Texas Recycling Market Development Plan Survey Launch

  • Start
    Mon, June 01, 2020
  •  
    (CDT)
  • End
    Mon, August 31, 2020
  •  
    (CDT)
  • Location
    online

  

  
  

  Download Press Release

  
  

  Study and Plan Will Examine Current Recycling Economy in Texas, Discover Opportunities for Growth & Propose Action

  Recycling Market Development Plan creates comprehensive educational campaign to cover economics of recycling in Texas, highlight businesses involved, and reduce contamination.

  AUSTIN, TEXAS – A statewide survey will be launched on June 1^st, 2020, that seeks to document recycling and the use of recyclables in manufacturing in Texas, as well as evaluate multiple recycling economic issues in greater detail. Survey results will be used to develop a Recycling Market Development Plan, which will provide recommendations for Texas policy makers to utilize the economic, environmental and policy issues of interest to Texas businesses, citizens, and governmental agencies.

  The effort is the result of a bill passed in the 86^th Texas legislative session (Senate Bill 649), which requires the creation of a Recycling Market Development Plan to take an updated look at the economics of the recycling industry in Texas and provide details about the current and needed infrastructure to manage the state’s recyclables. The Plan will also provide various recommendations on how to support and grow the Texas recycling industry. An educational campaign will also be developed to highlight the economic benefits of recycling, the companies in Texas utilizing recycled feedstock, and contamination reduction messaging.

  "Senate Bill 649 is an important step toward fostering the continued growth of recycling in Texas. The new law will help promote and expand markets for recyclable materials in our state, protect and create jobs in the industry, and educate consumers to recycle properly and reduce contamination," said Senator Judith Zaffirini, D-Laredo, the bill's author. "This survey will ensure the Recycling Market Development Plan is grounded in fact, not supposition, and I highly encourage all interested stakeholders to participate."

  Through a competitive bidding process, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) retained engineering and environmental consulting firm Burns and McDonnell to complete the project.

  Burns and McDonnell previously worked to complete and release the Study on the Economic Impacts of Recycling (SEIR) in 2017. The Recycling Market Development Plan will utilize the methodology of SEIR, with a focus on the economic impacts of the recycling industry in Texas, and additionally develop a plan to stimulate the use of recycled materials, as well as a comprehensive educational campaign about recycling and contamination reduction.

  “The Recycling Market Development Plan will build on the successful foundation of the Study on the Economic Impacts of Recycling. We invite recyclers and manufacturers from throughout the supply chain to participate in this year’s effort, as their help will be essential to develop resilient, future-looking recycling markets for Texas-generated materials,” said Scott Pasternak, Burns & McDonnell Senior Project Manager, who led the SEIR effort and is now managing the Recycling Market Development Plan.

  The survey released on June 1^st, 2020, will be a collaborative and voluntary process with recycling processors and end markets to collect information on recyclable materials diverted from the municipal solid waste (MSW) and industrial solid waste streams. The Study and Plan seek to assess current recycling efforts, identify methods to increase recycling, and recommend state-level mechanisms to support infrastructure needs that will result in increased job creation and a more robust materials recovery industry in Texas.

  Since the Recycling Market Development Plan will request recycling and economic data from private recycling companies, Burns and McDonnell will take every measure allowed by law to protect confidentiality and will have non-disclosure agreements available for survey participants.

  “The data we gather is imperative to the construction of the recycling market development plan. The resulting plan will help us build a stronger, more circular materials management system in Texas, and that means more jobs and revenue for Texas cities and businesses,” said STAR Executive Director Jordan Fengel.

  The confidential online survey released on June 1^st, 2020, will allow participants to report their recycling data for the 2019 calendar year. The survey closes August 31^st, 2020. The results will be included in the TCEQ report, “Municipal Solid Waste in Texas: A Year in Review.” Participation is crucial for the Plan to be successful. Burns and McDonnell encourages industry representatives and recyclers across Texas to contribute to this effort and to help spread the word through their various professional networks.

  For more information about the project, please visit www.txrecyclingstudy.org.

  ###

  Want to know how you can help? Head to www.txrecyclingstudy.org to learn more about this effort and to see how your company can participate!

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• A Final Toast: A Tribute to Kim Mote

  • When
    Wed, June 10, 2020
  •  
    5:30 PM (CDT)
  • Location
    Zoom Video Conferencing
  • Registered
    21 registrants

  Register

  

  Come and celebrate the life of Kim Mote with us on Wednesday, June 10th, 2020, starting at 5:30 p.m. CST. 

  Friends and colleagues will gather virtually to share memories, photos, and we'll grab our favorite beverage and raise a final toast to a wonderful person.   

  If you have a photo(s) of Kim that you want to share with everyone, please send it to Jordan Fengel, STAR ED, at jordan.fengel@recyclingstar.org by June 9th to be included in the slide show. 

  RSVP and use the information below to join us on Wednesday, June 10th, at 5:30 p.m. CST. 

  Join Zoom Video Meeting

  https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82188616728?pwd=V2xKdlphMkw2em8wWEdHVG5CYk1GUT09

  Meeting ID: 821 8861 6728

  Password: 609979

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  Dial by your location

          +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)

          +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)

  Meeting ID: 821 8861 6728

  Password: 609979

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• 3rd Annual Texas Reuse Tour—VIRTUAL

  • When
    Tue, June 16, 2020
  •  
    1:00 PM - 2:30 PM (CDT)
  • Location
    Online

  

  The 2020 Texas Reuse Tour is going virtual! Join the STAR Reuse Council for this year's exciting online event.

  Register Here

  
  

  On Tuesday, June 16, we will be live online with local San Antonio reuse businesses, sharing knowledge and networking among reuse professionals from across the state. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, STAR had decided to cancel the in-person Texas Reuse Tour previously scheduled in San Antonio for April 30 - May 1, 2020. 
  
  At the first Texas Reuse Tour, we checked out amazing businesses and buildings in Houston, and last year we had a great time visiting multiple locations involved in reuse in Ft. Worth. This year, we focus on San Antonio, home of the Alamo, to scope out the fantastic people and places involved in material reuse!
  
  WHO SHOULD ATTEND? Professionals in the reuse, circular economy, or zero waste field; students, or any other individuals interested in expanding their reuse knowledge.
  
  WHY ATTEND? Last year we had over 20 professionals from across the state gather in Ft. Worth. Discover what San Antonio has to offer and gather ideas you may be able to use in your home town!
  

  • HEAR 6 + reuse businesses of varying size, function, and mission share their challenges, successes, and operating processes.
  • EXCHANGE ideas and network with professionals from private and public sectors involved with reuse activities.
  • BRAINSTORM with industry professionals on adaptive reuse, growing reuse and art, and other topics.

  
  SPEAKERS:

  • Project MEND warehouse
  • San Antonio River Foundation
  • Spare Parts + Mini Art Museum
  • Goodwill San Antonio
  • Pearl Brewery Complex (tentative)
  • H-E-B Recycling & Redistribution Center (tentative)

  
  REGISTRATION INFO:
  This webinar is offered free of charge by STAR. Please sign up at button link above.

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• STAR Central Texas Council member virtual meeting

  • When
    Thu, June 18, 2020
  •  
    10:00 AM - 11:30 AM (CDT)
  • Location
    Online!

  Register

  
  

  

  Join STAR Central Texas for an interactive Zoom presentation and discussion to: meet the new STAR Central Texas Steering Committee and discuss the Impacts of COVID-19 on Recycling in Central Texas.

  We’ll be taking a look at how the pandemic has affected recycling in different parts of our region. We’ll have presenters from across Central Texas including: Rachel Hering - Keep Texas Recycling | Gena McKinley - Austin Resource Recycling | Jordan Fengel - STAR, and then break into small groups to collaboratively discuss topics such as: plans for reopening, lessons learned, changes in operations, and overcoming the growing disposable culture and general anxiety.

  We look forward to you joining us! Please use the video conference ability if you are able to for a more interactive experience. Thanks!

  Join the Zoom Meeting:

  https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81835243531 

  Meeting ID: 818 3524 3531

  One tap mobile

  +13462487799,,81835243531# US (Houston)

  +16699006833,,81835243531# US (San Jose)

  Dial by your location

  +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)

  +1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)

  Meeting ID: 818 3524 3531

  Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kdr32CGVMu

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• Alamo Area Council of Governments | Glass Recycling Coalition | STAR Glass Recycling Workshop

  • When
    Wed, July 15, 2020
  •  
    10:00 AM - 12:30 PM (CDT)
  • Location
    online

  

  The Alamo Area Council of Governments is partnering with the State of Texas Alliance for Recycling and the Glass Recycling Coalition to host a 2.5 hour webinar about glass recycling in South Central Texas.

  Join us virtually on July 15th, 2020, from 10 am – 12:30 pm for a regional discussion to advance glass recycling across South Central Texas. Industry experts will explore existing glass collection/recycling infrastructure in the region and highlight successful regional glass recycling programs from across the nation.

  We’ll end with a discussion about how the South Central Texas region can accelerate glass recycling in a cost effective manner by adopting, and where needed, modifying other successful regional glass recycling efforts to fit our region’s unique needs.

  This webinar is open to the public at large and is intended for city/county staff, elected officials, solid waste industry professional, and other stakeholders from across the South Central Texas region. 

  REGISTER HERE
  

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• Texas Recycling & Compost Summit 2020

  • Start
    Mon, October 05, 2020
  •  
    (CDT)
  • End
    Wed, October 07, 2020
  •  
    (CDT)
  • Location
    Austin, TX

  

  SAVE THE DATE! This year's Summit will be hosted in Austin on Oct. 5–7th!

  This will be the biggest and best Summit yet, as we are — for the first time ever — combining our two annual conferences: Recycling Summit and Compost Summit!

  ⭐ Check back here for more information and registration details in the coming months. ⭐

  We look forward to seeing you there!

  
  

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