This Week in Recycling

May is recognized as Mental Health Awareness Month and ReMA has been highlighting a variety of resources that can help members and their employees create and maintain a culture of well-being in the workplace. On this episode of This Week in Recycling we chat with Megan Delp, Director of Workplace Mental Health at the National Alliance on Mental Illness. She discusses the importance of speaking up against mental health stigma and how employers can create a safe workplace where employees feel comfortable sharing their mental health concerns and using mental health resources.

On Thursday, May 7, ReMA’s New England Chapter hosted an awards ceremony for the winners of the Connecticut state JASON Learning Contest in partnership with the Boys and Girls Village. Students also received a tour of ReMA member HW Green’s recycling operation, connecting classroom learning to real-world opportunities. Now in its second year, the Connecticut state-JASON Learning Contest is an example of a successful partnership between a ReMA chapter, JASON Learning, and dedicated special education teacher Nicholas LaVecchia, who works at Charles F. Hayden School at Boys & Girls Village. On this episode of This Week in Recycling we chat with Krista Ostuno, president of HW Green, who served as a judge for the Connecticut state JASON Learning contest. She discusses how championing programs that inspire the next generation allows the recycled materials industry to not only open doors to rewarding careers but also empower students to see the vital role recycling plays in the economy, environment, and daily life.

On Wednesday, April 22, Natalie Messer Betts, ReMA’s Vice President of Sustainability and Materials Systems, attended the Baker Institute’s Center for Energy Studies’ second Annual Sustainability Summit in partnership with the University of Houston and Recycling Science Council (RSC). The summit convenes researchers, industry leaders, policymakers, and students to examine sustainability challenges through a systems-level perspective. On this episode of This Week in Recycling, Betts shares her experience participating in the summit and speaking on a panel entitled “Wildlife, Waste, and Conservation. Linking E-Waste to Species Conservation,” which highlighted the role recycling plays in preserving biodiversity, conserving wildlife, and protecting human rights through reducing mining in sensitive wildlife habitats and vulnerable communities.

May is National Electrical Safety Month, spearheaded by the Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI), which works to reduce fires, fatalities, injuries, and property loss related to electrical mishaps and negligence. ESFI and ReMA have partnered on resources to promote lithium-ion battery recycling and educate the public on how to purchase, use, and recycle these batteries safely. On this episode of This Week in Recycling we chat with Daniel Majano, Program Director at ESFI, about electrical safety month, how to stay safe when encountering overhead powerlines, safe battery handling, and the importance of the partnership between ReMA and ESFI.

ReMA has released a new Economic Impact Study on Earth Day, underscoring the essential role recycled materials play in powering American manufacturing, strengthening supply chains, and advancing environmental sustainability. On this episode of This Week in Recycling, we chat with Emily Sanchez, ReMA’s Chief Economist, about the major takeaways from the study, and how the industry has been delivering the economic story, the sustainability story, and the American jobs story for more than 100 years.

The Recycling Education and Research Foundation (RERF) is a nonprofit organization associated with ReMA. Since its founding, RERF has funded valuable industry research and has awarded more than $1.6 million scholarships to more than 1200 students across the country. By funding research and providing academic scholarships, the foundation continues to raise the profile of the recycled materials industry. Recently, the RERF Board decided to raise to get K9 service animals to veterans in need. On this episode of This Week in Recycling, we chat with Rickey Dana, RERF Program Director, and Jason Brenner, RERF Board Member and President of Brenner Recycling, all about the new fundraiser as well as the upcoming RERF silent auction at ReMA2026 in Las Vegas.

From April 13 – 16 2026, ReMA2026 – The Show, Powered by ReMatter is taking over Mandalay Bay and bringing together professionals in the recycled materials industry. To give attendees a sneak peek of what’s to come at the convention, This Week in Recycling is presenting a series featuring ReMA leaders, members, speakers, and exhibitors discussing aspects of ReMA2026. On this episode we chat with Nidhi Turakhia, CEO & Partner at Allied Alloys, who will be speaking on the ReMA2026 education session, The Family Business: Next-Gen Leading Legacy Recycling Companies. The session provides practical insights into leadership transition, modernization, stewardship, and/or transfer within multigenerational recycled materials companies. The session is hosted by ReMA’s Women in Recycling Council and sponsored by VALIS, the official Women in Recycling Council Sponsor.

Industrial Athletes, recyclers show up every day ready to perform. The ReMA2026 Safety First Stadium, Presented by Omnisource, is all about giving them the training, tools, and resources they need to stay strong, safe, and at the top of their game. On this episode of This Week in Recycling, Holly Brownell, ReMA’s Advocacy and Safety Programs Administrator discusses the new Safety-First Stadium that will be held during the ReMA2026 convention and what attendees can look forward there including mental health resources, PPE experts, boot fittings, live demos, and more.

Todd Foreman, ReMA’s Senior Director of Law Enforcement Outreach, often attends the FBI National Academy Professional Development Days, organized by the FBI National Academy Associates.  During the day, students meet with academic partners, members of law enforcement, and strategic partners for networking, specialized training, and exposure to various cutting-edge topics. Foreman uses the day to share ReMA’s suite of tools that help law enforcement combat metals thefts and to make important connections with emerging leaders. On this episode of This Week in Recycling Foreman shares what the professional development day entails and why this type of event is so important for ReMA’s law enforcement outreach efforts.

On Tuesday, February 10, more than 120 recyclers from across the country traveled to Capitol Hill in Washington, DC to meet with lawmakers and legislative staff as part of ReMA 2026 Congressional Fly-In. On this episode of This Week in Recycling we chat with Boyd Jones, Director of Business Development and Public Relations at Michael Brothers Companies about his experience participating in the Fly-In, how to approach lawmakers and staffers with asks, and why it’s important for recyclers to engage in this type of advocacy effort.