| In this Issue: NRC's Campus Council Sets Monthly Meetings Starting Wed 6/25. Lessons From the Future Project Underway Nominations Open for Higher Education, Emerging Leader Awards Recycling in the Hearland this October! Sponsorships Sought Surveys to Solicit Your Input
apologies for cross posting
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National Recycling Coalition's Campus Group Sets Monthly Meetings- Starting this Wednesday The public is invited to attend monthly meetings to advance the work of the NRC’s Campus Council. Hour-long zoom gatherings are now scheduled for every last Wednesday of each month, beginning Wednesday, June 25th, 12-1pm Eastern time.
The NRC’s Campus Council creates stronger linkages between higher ed and the sustainable materials management industry and is guided in part by recommendations in a 2015 White Paper to the EPA’s Sustainable Materials Management Summit. The Council’s most current report is available at its website.
Commenting on the future of the group, Campus Council manager, Jack DeBell stated: ‘We’re fortunate the NRC has invested in staffing with an Executive Director. Charles Kamenides is passionate about developing future leadership in sustainable materials management.” DeBell will continue to advise the group and hopes these meetings will infuse new ideas and strengthen opportunities for higher education and industry to work more closely.
The next meeting is scheduled for 12-1pm Eastern time, Wednesday, June 25th. The standing link to join meetings is here. For more information about the Campus Council, visit nrcrecycles.org/campus or contact Jack DeBell: debe...@gmail.com
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Lessons From the Future Project Underway:What Students, Educators, Trainees, and Employers Need to Know… NowA team of students, faculty, and professionals in the sustainable materials management field, have begun a research project that tests connections between higher education and the job market. Surveys and literature reviews are underway for which the public is invited to participate. Initial results and recommendations will be discussed at the National Recycling Congress in October. A portion of the project abstract follows. The full project description and stakeholder surveys to participate in are available at the Campus Council website.
Lessons from the Future: What Students, Educators, Trainees, and Employers Need to Know… Now
We know that for behavior change to endure and become a new cultural norm, education and outreach needs to be accurate, consistent, and actionable. Currently, there is very little collaboration between collegiate educators, professional trainers, and employers to provide vertically aligned programs. What if collegiate, and professional levels knew each others’ abilities and needs so as to meet these objectives together. Are there shared opportunities being missed if we only knew each other better? This session explores these possibilities with results of initial research, survey findings, and dialogue. Follow-up discussion at the Congress will focus on practical recommendations for participation.Organics recycling is used as a practical filter, both to narrow to a more manageable project level and to complement Congress themes, which Mid-Western schools and other stakeholders in America’s heartland could find useful. This novel and dynamic approach: strategizing among higher education, professional training and certification, and the job market, meets the circularity theme of this year’s NRC Congress, and could contribute to future leadership in SMM.
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NRC 2025 Award Nominations OpenTwo awards relating to the mission of the Campus Council are offered annually by the NRC. The higher ed community is encouraged to nominate or apply.
Bill Heenan Emerging Leader Award – is awarded to an outstanding individual under 35 who has emerged as leader in field.
Outstanding Higher Education – recognizes an exceptional program in connecting higher education and the industry (the criteria for this award focus on tech development/transfer, student training, and workforce links, and not exclusively campus collection programs).
Click on this link to submit nominations.
Awards will be presented at the in person NRC Recycling Congress Reception on October 2, 2025, in Wichita, KS.
If you have questions, contact Ann Gibbs (NRC Awards Committee Chair): a...@serainc.com.
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Recycling Congress in the Heartland this October!The National Recycling Congress is scheduled for October 1, 2, and 3, 2025 at Wichita State University in Wichita KS. This year’s National Recycling Congress will be hybrid to be as accessible as possible. For those attending in person, registration fees will include registration, food, and the reception. Our partnership and collaboration with the WSU Environmental Finance Center is incredible. We are thrilled to bring the National Recycling Congress to the Heartland and to share all the good work happening in this part of our country. The theme for this year’s National Recycling Congress is “Strategies for Circularity”. It will include a number of special guest presentations, learning sessions, workshops, and CEUs. In addition, we will host our annual reception, awards, scholarship presentations, vendor expo, and tours. Campus Sessions Slated for Don't miss the networking opportunities and social events!
Early Registration coming soon
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Sponsorships SoughtThe need has never been greater to invest now in a sound future where materials are managed more sustainably. Two immediate opportunities to support these future leaders include:
The National Recycling Coalition’s Scholarships
Sponsorship of additional student scholarships are welcomed. These competitively-selected students have committed to making a difference with their degree.
National Recycling Coalition Congress Sponsorships
Sponsor a student to attend the National Recycling Congress, Octover 1-3, 2025.
HigherEd ZeroWaste Industry Newsletters
Sponsorship of future newsletters will increase their timeliness- reaching an estimated twelve thousand readers.
Contact Jack DeBell for more information: debe...@gmail.com
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Interest SurveyColleges and universities have unique, even decisive roles in the long-term success of the recycling and sustainable resource management industry. This survey helps gauge interest from different stakeholders on and off campus and enlists potential involvement. Please take a moment to help advance this effort by taking this short survey.
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| | About the Higher Ed Zero Waste Research Newsletter
Editor, Jack DeBell, (University of Colorado at Boulder-retired), compiles and periodically shares accomplishments and opportunities with the objective of better connecting collegiate programs and the sustainable resource management industry. Contributions are always welcomed. Previous newsletters and subscription information at his website, including access to online training, as well as his emerging vermicomposting business. Contact DeBell at debe...@gmail.com or visit: https://debellp3.mailchimpsites.com/newsletters |
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