In This Issue:

1 | Rhode Island mulls EPR for packaging

Two bills introduced by Rhode Island lawmakers suggest the possibility of the state putting end-of-life product management duties onto the shoulders of packaging producers.

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2 | Ohio county hits mixed-waste processing crossroads

A suburban Ohio county is being pushed to depart from its long-established mixed-waste processing recycling system, after a report indicated the method was producing a recycling rate below 4 percent.

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3 | NPR shines light on recycling struggles

A string of public radio reports last week informed the masses of a fact recycling professionals already know all too well: It's become hard to make a buck via recovered materials.

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4 | Key EPA official to keynote SMM Summit

The National Recycling Coalition (NRC) announced this week U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Assistant Administrator Mathy Stanislaus will provide the keynote address for the upcoming National Sustainable Materials Management (SMM) Summit, to be held May 12 and 13, at the University of Maryland, College Park.

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5 | Grant watch

California has awarded $2.86 million in grants to various organizations to support beverage container recycling, and a plastic recycling company in Missouri will expand its business with a loan from the USDA Rural Development program.

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6 | NewsBits

A natural products company and a recycling company have teamed up to launch a recycle-by-mail toy recycling program. Meanwhile, recycling advocates in Wisconsin are pushing back against proposed cuts to a state program providing recycling funds to local governments.

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7 | Requests for proposals

Fort Collins, Colorado is conducting a project to develop a Universal Recycling Ordinance, which would update the pay-as-you-throw service requirements for single family homes, consider options to apply to commercial and multi-family sectors, and look at factors for a successful residential curbside organics collection program. The City is seeking consultants to assist with the project. Details are available here (search under City of Fort Collins, 8103 URO Development Consulting). Proposals are due by 5 p.m. on April 24, 2015.

Chittenden Solid Waste District in Vermont is seeking proposals for a residential waste composition study. Proposals must be received by April 24, 2015. Details are available here.

The Mattress Recycling Council (MRC) is accepting bids for the transportation and recycling of mattresses. An RFP has been created to help MRC assess costs and capabilities to comply with the California Used Mattress Recovery and Recycling Act. Submissions are due on April 22, 2015. All questions should be submitted in writing to Managing Director Mike O'Donnell by April 3, 2015. Details are available here and RFP forms are available here.

Omaha, Nebraska is accepting bids on the processing of recyclables collected in Omaha's single stream (no glass) curbside collection program and the operation of Omaha's recycling drop-off sites. Omaha currently collects over 16,000 tons of recyclables annually. The contract is for a five-year term with the option for two additional five-year terms. Bids close April 29, 2015. Details are available here and here (at the second link, search for QuestCDN eBidDoc Number 3778471 to obtain the bid documents).

Phoenix, Arizona is asking for input from innovators with manufacturing processes and technologies that create new products or energy from items found in the trash. The responses from this call for innovators will be used to craft future economic development opportunities for companies interested in growing in Phoenix. Details are available here.

Phoenix, Arizona is seeking innovators to repurpose/recycle the following items: carpeting and carpet foam, furniture, latex paint, mattresses, non-rechargeable batteries, palm fronds, and residential food waste. With the Transforming Trash into Resources Pilot Program Request for Proposals, the City is looking to contract with businesses and nonprofits for creative alternatives that divert these items from the landfill. Details are available here.

The Recycling Partnership, an initiative of the Curbside Value Partnership (CVP), has announced its 2015 funding opportunity for counties, municipalities and solid waste authorities seeking to improve residential curbside recycling infrastructures. Specifically, the grants will provide funding for cart procurement and education and outreach programs. CVP will also provide successful applicants with tailored recycling education campaign materials to support the cart rollout, along with technical assistance for community recycling operations. Final proposals must be received by 5 p.m. EST on April 15, 2015. Details are available here.

8 | Upcoming conferences and webinars

Click here for a complete directory of upcoming conferences and webinars!

If you have a conference or webinar that you would like listed, please send an email to [email protected] for consideration.

9 | Jobs available and sought

Zero Waste Field Manager, Eco-Cycle (Boulder County, Colorado).
Details are available here.

Statewide Resources Section Manager, Washington Department of Ecology (Lacey, Washington).
Details are available here.

Environmental Associate, Residential and Special Projects Zero Waste Associate, City and County of San Francisco (San Francisco, California).
Details are available here.

Plant Manager, QRS (Baltimore, Maryland).
Details are available here.

Resource Management Coordinator and Supervisor, City of Dubuque, Iowa (Dubuque, Iowa).
Details are available here.

Director of Sustainability, Keene State College (Keene, New Hampshire).
Details are available here.

Staff Writer, Recycling & Materials Management, Cascadia Consulting Group (Seattle, Washington).
Details are available here.

Senior Associate, Inclusion and Service Equity Director, Cascadia Consulting Group (Seattle, Washington).
Details are available here.

Marketing and Customer Service Executive, BlackBridge (Huntington, New York).
Details are available here.

Senior Commodities Trader, BlackBridge (Remote-based position).
Details are available here.

Environmental Planner, City of Fort Collins (Fort Collins, Colorado).
Details are available here.

Account Representative, East-Terra Supply (Indianapolis, Indiana).
Details are available here.

Plant Maintenance Technician, Newell Recycling (San Antonio, Texas).
Details are available here.

Project Manager, Full Circle Environmental (Seattle, Washington).
Details are available here.

Sales Engineer, Ameri-Shred Corp. (Alpena, Michigan).
Details are available here.

Account Executive, Liquid Technology (New York City).
Details are available here.

Plastic Sales & Marketing Rep, AMI Trading Inc. (Miami, Florida).
Details are available here.

Executive Director, Professional Recyclers of Pennsylvania (Harrisburg, Pennsylvania).
Details are available here.

Product Development Manager, PRP Recycling (Chicago, Illinois).
Details are available here.

Various Positions, Bulk Handling Systems (Eugene, Oregon).
Details are available here.

Various Positions, NRT (Nationwide).
Details are available here.

Various Positions, Newark Recycled Paperboard Solutions (Nationwide).
Details are available here.

Various Positions, Waste Management (Nationwide).
Details are available here.

Various Positions, Product Stewardship Institute (Boston, Massachusetts).
Details are available here.

Various Positions Highlighted by the Northern California Recycling Association (Northern California).
Details are available here.

Jobs Sought
Database of job seekers available here.

If you would like to submit a job available or job sought listing, contact Jared Paben at [email protected].