The Latest News from Your Favorite Carolina Recycling Crew!

Special Thanks to Our 2023 Sponsors!

Check out the CRA Sponsors

Early Bird Deadline is TOMORROW!

Are you registered for CRA's 33rd Annual Conference & Trade Show?

The best discounts of the year about about to disappear - Don't miss your opportunity to swoop in on the early bird discounts and secure your spot with us at the Wilmington Convention Center March 27 - 30. Be sure to secure your registration and hotel by February 1st!

Sponsor Info

Exhibitor Info

Attendee Info

If you have any questions or need assistance, please do not hesitate to reach out to staff@cra-recycle.org or call the office at 877.972.0007.

Stay With Us!

CRA is pleased to partner with the Wilmington Convention Center for our 2023 Conference. WCC's complex structure is reminiscent of Wilmington as an old “Port City.” The interior and exterior reflect the designers usage of angles and lines similar to that of a ship’s sail and hull, giving the WCC a classic, yet unique look true to our city’s historical beginnings. The WCC building site is on the north edge of the city and adjacent to the Cape Fear River.

We have also partnered with several nearby hotels to secure discounted group rate rooms for your conference stay.

UNCW Expands Foam Recycling Program!

New Grant from the Foam Recycling Coalition Helps Wilmington Communities

The University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW) received a $9,627 grant from the Foodservice Packaging Institute’s Foam Recycling Coalition (FRC) to purchase four containers to collect their increased volume of polystyrene foam. They will also add a second densifier, donated to the university, that will double the capacity to process foam, including packing blocks, coolers, peanuts, foodservice containers, egg crates and meat trays.

UNCW is the 27th grant recipient to receive this funding since 2015. Over 8 million additional residents in the U.S. and Canada can recycle foam polystyrene as a result of FRC grants. Visit www.RecycleFoam.org to learn more about foam recycling and the grant program to see how you can apply for these resources that are available to help more communities increase their foam recycling capabilities.

Read more at Recycling Today

The Breakdown of Compostable Packaging

Atlas Organics to Participate in New Study

The Composting Consortium, a collaboration of industry partners managed by Closed Loop Partners, has announced the launch of its Compostable Packaging Degradation Pilot. The group says the initiative is the most comprehensive collaborative study of real-world compostable packaging disintegration in the United States to date.

South Carolina's very own Atlas Organics will be participating in this milestone project as it aims to improve available data on how certified, food-contact compostable foodware and packaging is breaking down at various types of composting facilities. This pilot project will evaluate the disintegration of more than 30 types of certified compostable products and packaging at facilities operating with varying climates, composting methods and equipment. Products evaluated include compostable cutlery, molded fiber bowls, bioplastic cups and snack packaging. Data gathered from the assessment will help guide the consortium’s effort to align the growth of compostable packaging with on-the-ground operational and business needs of large-scale composting operations.

Read the full story at Waste Today

NC Hopes to Adopt EV Truck Rules in 2023

It's Electric! Executive Order 271 Meets NC Roads

North Carolina Environmental officials are working hard to prepare a draft of new clean truck rules by May in order to meet the new standards by the end of the year. Gov. Roy Cooper's Executive Order 271, issued in October, calls for North Carolina to adopt Advanced Clean Truck rules, or ACT rules. These new rules would order manufacturers to meet sales targets for electric trucks and buses, to help the state cut the pollution that causes global warming. Trucks and buses are known to make up to over 3% of vehicles on state roads, but they emit more than one-quarter of all the smog-forming pollutants from vehicles. The rules would apply to any truck over 6,001 pounds — basically, pickups up to tractor-trailers, with the goal of eventually 40%-75% of trucks sold in NC being zero-emission vehicles.

Transportation is North Carolina's largest source of carbon emissions. "It's imperative that we clean up this sector, these medium- and heavy-duty vehicles, if we want to achieve our climate and environmental justice goals," said Gov. Roy Cooper's climate adviser Zach Pierce during Monday's meeting.

Read the full story at WFAE

Mecklenburg County Recycling Gets an Upgrade

Enhanced Drop-Off Program Now Includes Textiles

Mecklenburg County has some exciting news for residents as they have enhanced their list of accepted products for full-service recycling centers. This new program includes items such as hard and soft back books, textiles such as clothing and shoes, shredded paper and even white rigid foam. This is a huge step up for customers as there is a strong desire from many to avoid tossing items in the landfill. "We understand our customers and residents want to avoid placing items in the landfill. Now, we have expanded our recycling services to meet that demand,” said Jeff Smithberger, director of the Solid Waste Management Program. “Our textile recycling donation bins are new this month."

Read more at Carolina Public Press

2023 Awards Nominations are Due by Feb 7!

Only One Week Left to Submit Your Nominations

Each year, the Carolina Recycling Association honors top performers that advance waste reduction and recycling in the Carolinas. Nominations and self-applications will be accepted until February 7, 2023 and recipients will be honored at the Annual Conference. Continuing this year, the award categories have all been consolidated into a general pool and a panel of judges will select a set of outstanding people, projects, and programs to recognize at the 2023 Annual Conference. CRA will accept nominations that address all aspects of the industry as before, but will streamline the process to recognize the new and innovative projects that are changing the way recycling happens in the Carolinas.

The awards are open to individuals, companies, governments, schools, organizations, non-profits, and councils – projects and programs large and small. If you’re recycling or reducing waste, you’re eligible! See below for application recommendations and requirements.

The 2023 Annual Awards seek to recognize:

Projects that are innovative, cutting edge, and impactful to waste reduction in the Carolinas
Work that has been successful in addressing current challenges of the recycling industry
People who have demonstrated leadership and made a significant contribution to recycling
Programs that are diverting new waste streams or using new technology to recover more materials
Programs, education, or events that demonstrate creativity in promoting or increasing recycling
Projects were difficult to execute but were ultimately successful and replicable in the Carolinas
Projects that address the work of the CRA Councils: Collegiate Recycling, Household Hazardous Waste Management, and Litter Reduction and Beautification
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Projects

Don't Miss Your Chance to Network & Connect with Your Lawmakers

The South Carolina legislative event of the year is coming up - are you registered yet? CRA, together with the South Carolina Department of Commerce (SC DOC), The Recycling Market Development Advisory Council (RMDAC), and the Southeast Recycling Development Council (SERDC) will be hosting Recycling Day at the Statehouse on February 21, 2023 in Columbia, SC at the Palmetto Club.

Recycling Day at the Statehouse is a unique opportunity to meet with your South Carolina law makers one-on-one. Businesses, industry players, non-profits, and individuals interested in getting to know their representatives and ensuring a healthy recycling industry in South Carolina are encouraged to attend and sponsor. Sponsoring Recycling Day at the Statehouse is a fantastic way to show support and get your name in front of key decision makers.

An afternoon program for attendees will begin at 3pm followed by a reception and networking with legislators from 4:30-7:00 pm on Tuesday, February 21. CRA will host an informational webinar on Friday, February 3 from 10:00 am-10:30 am for registrants to learn how to participate, learn details of the event, get familiar with the tools you need to invite your representatives to the reception, and the best approach to discuss recycling with your representatives in-person. Webinar invitations will be sent directly to registrants. Click here to learn more.

Registration Fee:

CRA & SERDC* Members - Complimentary (member benefit)
Non-Members - $35/person
Sponsors - Attendance is included for representatives of your organization

*SERDC members will receive a discount code via email from SERDC

EPA Recycling Grants - 411

How to Apply and Key Deadlines for Funding - Deadline Feb 13 2023

The U.S. EPA has opened the application process for new, long-awaited recycling grants and said the first round will disburse $100 million to states, municipalities, and other entities. Applications are due Feb. 13, 2023, following an extension.

The agency will host a series of webinars in late November through early January to provide more information on how to apply. The information sessions could also help clear up questions about whether specific types of projects will be eligible for funding.

The application process is open for the Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling grant, which aims to build, expand and upgrade waste management systems. The application process is also available for the Recycling Education and Outreach grant, meant to improve public information on recycling.

More info at EPA.gov

Are You a CRA Member?

Join Us Today!

With over 300 member organizations (over 800 individuals), the CRA is a robust and dynamic association that supports our members and the recycling industry. The CRA membership represents all aspects of the recycling industry in the Carolinas and beyond, including generators, collectors, processors and end- users of recycled materials.

Have questions? Go to our membership information page today or contact us at staff@cra-recycle.org!