In This Issue:

1 | Private sector sounds off on Minnesota recycling overhaul options

In the wake of a pair of studies recommending bold methods to jump start recycling in Minnesota, private-sector waste and recycling representatives are adding their voice to the discussion and warning against a bottle bill or widespread producer-responsibility program in the state.

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2 | Plastics Recycling 2014: The Other Side of Green Fence

No single recycling market story dominated the past year the same way as China's crackdown on the import of scrap materials. Operation Green Fence upended the traditional flow of scrap materials, highlighted significant quality control abuses among some scrap exporters and provided a window of opportunity for domestic plastic reclaimers.

At Plastics Recycling 2014, brokers, processors and recycling professionals will share their experiences in adjusting to these challenges. They'll also explain how business has changed since the official end of the Chinese enforcement action last fall.

Don't miss Plastics Recycling 2014, to be held March 11-12 at Rosen Shingle Creek in Orlando, Florida. For more information, visit www.plasticsrecycling.com.

Attendees are also invited to come early and stay late for some great additional events. On the afternoon of March 10, the Society of the Plastics Industry (SPI) will host a technical forum. The Association of Postconsumer Plastic Recyclers (APR) will hold its winter membership meeting on March 13. And the Society of Plastics Engineers (SPE) Environmental Division will hold the Global Plastics Environmental Conference March 12-14. Go to www.plasticsrecycling.com for more information.

3 | SF recycling center closures raise eyebrows

A number of recycling centers in San Francisco have closed, drawing criticism from advocates for the poor and raising questions about whether the city is fulfilling its recycling obligations.

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4 | EPR debate shifts to batteries in Ontario

A proposal to alter the battery recycling system in Ontario — and hand it over to producers — has become a lightning rod for debate in Canada's most populous province.

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5 | Phoenix to get recycling lift through incubator

Entrepreneurs looking to make it big in Phoenix may turn to recycling for their next businesses venture.

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6 | Landfill-free? Certification program will be the judge

Responding to the growing number of companies making waste diversion claims, a landfill-free verification program has been formed to put facilities to the test.

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7 | Wisconsin recycling continues apace

The state of Wisconsin, known for its cheese and its football, is making a name for itself as a leader in recycling as well.

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8 | Rhode Island considers food waste ban

A bill to radically reduce food waste in Rhode Island has been submitted to the state legislature.

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9 | NewsBits

We've got loads of West Coast developments in our weekly headline roundup: CalRecycle rolls out another regulation to battle container deposit fraud, major brands lend a hand to reduce textile landfilling in the Bay Area and a $30 million MRF is announced for British Columbia.

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10 | Industry & supplier news

Charlie Appleby announced he is retiring from his post as CEO of ADS Waste Holdings, Inc., which uses the brand name Advanced Disposal. Appleby will be replaced by the company's current president, Richard Burke, when the retirement takes effect on July 1. The company also announced its chief operating officer, Walter Hall, is leaving the firm to pursue other opportunities. Advanced Disposal offers waste and recycling services in 18 states. More information can be found here.

Glass recycling firm Strategic Materials has tapped Richard Abramowitz to serve as the company's vice president of government affairs. With more than 35 years of experience within the recycling industry, Abramowitz previously ran his own consulting business after working for 17 years at Waste Management. Abramowitz has also worked for the American Beverage Association, HDR Engineering, and the City of Austin, Texas. He will be based at the corporate headquarters of Strategic Materials in Houston. For more, visit www.strategicmaterials.com.

The American Forest & Paper Association is accepting submissions for it annual Recycling Awards to recognize outstanding paper recycling programs in the U.S. Entries are being accepted until March 7. A total of 12 awards will be given out in 2014 and winners will receive a cash prize in addition to being featured in local and national media paper recycling campaigns. For more, visit www.paperrecycles.org.

11 | Upcoming conferences & 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.

12 | Jobs available & sought

Environmental Specialist, City of Ventura (Ventura, California).
Details are available here.

Manager of Sanitation and Recycling & Public Works Administration, City of Nanaimo (Nanaimo, British Columbia).
Details are available here.

Industrial Development Representative, North Carolina Department of Environment & Natural Resources (Raleigh, North Carolina).
Details are available here.

Product Sales Manager, Synagro (Central Valley/Southern California).
Details are available here.

Environmental Specialist, Mecklenburg County (Charlotte, North Carolina).
Details are available here.

Executive Director, MedWish (Cleveland, Ohio).
Details are available here.

Environmental Scientist, State of Delaware (Dover, Delaware).
Details are available here.

Education & Outreach Coordinator, Santa Fe Solid Waste Management Agency (Santa Fe, New Mexico).
Details are available here.

Midwest Region Recycling General Manager; Integrated paper, recycling and converting packaging company.
Details are available here.

Sales Personnel, American Reclamation, Inc. (Los Angeles, California).
Details are available here.

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

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

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

Various Positions Highlighted by the Northern California Recycling Association (Northern California Area).
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, send an email to associate editor Dan Leif at [email protected].