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Lunch & Learn Recap from the Queen City
Highlights from CRA's July Networking Event
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Earlier this month we were honored to host an event, sponsored by Coca-Cola Consolidated, at the astounding Innovation Barn in Charlotte, NC! The Innovation Barn is truly a one-of-a-kind facility that promotes a sustainable future through responsible recycling. Those who were able to join us at the Queen City’s center for circular innovation enjoyed a delicious lunch from Giddy Goat, incredible opportunities to learn about the creations for the circular economy that the Innovation Barn is feeding in to, and irreplaceable networking experiences with those in attendance.
Attendees took a deeper dive into the differences between Linear and Circular Economies. In a "linear economy", traditional businesses take raw materials and turn them into products that eventually wind up in landfills at the end of their useful life. In the "circular economy," the goal is zero waste, with everything being reused, either by the business itself or by others rather than going to the landfill. The goal of the Innovation Barn is no waste and is a local example of what a circular economy could look like. "If you can keep stuff out of the landfill, you can turn it into innovations, which turns into jobs," Executive Director Amy Aussieker said. The circular economy concept was even used in the renovation process for the building. The doors there are made from construction waste taken from other sites, the concrete they used had high recycled content, and even the art is upcycled and repurposed items. Everything in the building is created from recycling or repurposing.
Read more of the Innovation Barn here/View Presentations and Event Info
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Columbia Youth are "Mixing It Up"
SC Summer Camp Teaches Importance of Recycling
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Campers at the City of Columbia Arts Center have been using recycled materials this summer to fuel their art projects and learn more about sustainability. Bohumila Augustinova, the program coordinator for Columbia Art Center says using these materials helps kids get creative and think about the environment. "Reusing the materials that are already there instead of buying new things is always a good idea,” Augustinova said. “And I think it also teaches children to be a little more mindful and, you know, more caring for our planet."
Larry Cook, USC's Director of the Office of Sustainability also weighed in on this amazing camp activity by saying that introducing children to recycling, reusing, and thinking about the materials they interact with builds the habit of recycling young, inspiring them to recycle and advocate for recycling bins or reusing of materials in their daily lives. It can also be a starting point for the campers and other kids to focus on other green practices that can have a larger impact.
Read more at WLTX
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Clemson Students Help Design Sustainable Orchard
CU Landscape Architects are Growing More than Fruit!
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In a groundbreaking initiative, Clemson University has teamed up with its students to create an extraordinary sustainable orchard, breaking away from conventional park designs. This ambitious project embodies the university's commitment to environmental sustainability and student involvement in meaningful, hands-on experiences. Situated on a meadow at the intersection of Berkeley Drive and Issaqueena Trail, Berkeley Orchard will be a different type of park than what most people are used to, said Tony Tidwell, director of the city’s Urban and Park Land Management department. The park will be a sustainable green space, meaning the land will be developed to sustain itself with natural pollination and wildlife access, while also featuring possible improvements like a pecan grove, fig trees and blueberries bushes. For a park that will be nestled in between neighborhoods on the east side of town, the focus is on creating a space that is both accessible for people while also a part of the natural environment. It will be a hub for the Green Crescent Trail, a network of trails and pathways across Clemson, Central and Pendleton.
Although the park is still in the early stages of design, residents can enjoy the meadow on the site since it is being maintained by the parks department. Paul Russell, a landscape design architect and professor at Clemson, led 10 students in an 8-week course to design the park with vegetation as “the star of the show." Russell was quoted as saying, "We’re looking at it not just for its ornamental value,” Russell said of plants in the park, “but for how it can contribute within an ecosystem, but also within the park and public space, as well."
Read more at Post and Courier
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A Leap Towards Sustainable Waste Management
Coastal Waste Acquires SC Based Pro-Disposal
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Coastal Waste & Recycling has made strides by acquiring South Carolina based Pro-Disposal expanding their operations in South Carolina and Georgia. This strategic move signals a commitment to innovation and environmental responsibility in the waste industry. By leveraging funding partner Macquarie's expertise and resources, Coastal Waste aims to optimize waste handling processes, increase recycling efforts, and minimize the environmental impact of waste disposal.
The Coastal Waste acquisition of Pro-Disposal holds significant implications for the local communities as well. It is expected to create employment opportunities, bolster regional economies, and contribute to cleaner, healthier surroundings. Additionally, proactive waste management initiatives can positively impact tourism by enhancing the area's appeal and ecological integrity.
Read more from Waste Dive
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OBX Oyster Shell Recycling Program Expands!
Preserving Coastal Ecosystems with Innovative Recycling
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Carteret County, Coastal Environmental Partnership, and GFL Environmental are working with the NC Coastal Federation to help ramp up oyster shell recycling throughout Carteret County. Rather than tossing shells in the trash, which is banned, there are three new shell recycling drop-off sites in Carteret County for public use. Carteret County has teamed up with the federation to host the shell drop-off sites at three of its facilities, and Coastal Environmental Partnership and GFL Environmental will haul off the dumpsters once full.
The three new shell recycling sites are at:
● Hibbs Road Convenience, Site 800 Hibbs Road, Newport
● Otway Convenience Site, 485 Harkers Island Road, Otway
● West Firetower Road/Highway 58 Convenience Site, 1250 West Firetower Road, Swansboro
The federation’s Recycling for Reefs Program collects recycled oyster shells and uses them to build oyster reefs and living shorelines. Oyster reefs play a vital role in mitigating erosion, providing essential habitat for various marine species, and improving water quality by filtering pollutants. Oyster populations have decreased by 90% along the Crystal Coast over the last 100 years. Community engagement plays a pivotal role in the success of the program. Local volunteers actively participate in shell collection and restoration efforts, forging a sense of environmental stewardship and collective responsibility among residents and businesses alike.
Read more from Carolina Coast Online
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NC's Bridgestone is Leading the Sustainability Drive
Tire Plant Achieves Global Recognition for Sustainability and Carbon Leadership
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Bridgestone's Wilson, NC tire manufacturing facility is celebrating a remarkable achievement by earning international recognition for its commitment to sustainability and carbon reduction. The plant received the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC) PLUS recognition for its transparency and traceability of sustainable raw materials. The certification showcases Bridgestone's dedication to environmental responsibility and innovative practices within the tire industry. The tire plant has successfully and continually met stringent global sustainability standards, highlighting the company's efforts to minimize its environmental footprint throughout the production process.
By adopting cutting-edge technologies and implementing sustainable practices, Bridgestone's North Carolina plant has significantly reduced carbon emissions and energy consumption. This achievement aligns with the company's broader goals of promoting eco-friendly operations and driving positive change in the tire manufacturing sector. As Bridgestone garners international acclaim for its sustainability and carbon reduction efforts, it serves as a beacon of inspiration for other manufacturers and stakeholders in the tire industry in the Carolinas and beyond.
Read more at Tire Technology International
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CRA Committees & Councils Need You
Don't Forget to Sign Up Using Our Online Interest Form
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CRA has 7 committees and 5 councils that need your voice and help. Bonus, you get to make new friends, add some muscle to your resume, and be part of the magic. What are you waiting for? | |
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Membership Renewal Time is Here!
BOLO for your Renewal Email
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Be On the Look Out (BOLO) for your membership renewal in an email inbox near you! Your membership is vital to the Carolina Recycling Association and to the success of the recycling community as a whole. Be sure to renew your membership on time to take advantage of all of our great member benefits. Your benefits include: Discounts on CRA conference registration, annual professional headshot updates at the Conference, eligibility to run for our board of directors, the right to vote in annual elections and membership meetings, discounts for other events, full access to CRA’s membership directory, priority registration, members-only special activities, and more!
Have questions? Go to our membership information page today or contact us at staff@cra-recycle.org!
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Please send all correspondence, membership payments, and event registration to:
Carolina Recycling Association
PO Box 1296
Greenville, SC 29602
Carolina Recycling Association | 877.972.0007 | www.cra-recycle.org
© 2023 Carolina Recycling Association. All Rights Reserved
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