Deep Dive Virtual Forum - Reuse Centers: Creating Local Community Connections & Benefits

Sept 7 (11:30 – 1:00 eastern, 8:30 – 10:00 pacific)

Register Here

This is the first in the series of free, quarterly Material Reuse Deep Dive Forums being presented by the Northeast Recycling Council and the national Materials Reuse Planning Committee. 

The Sept 7 Forum will focus on the power of reuse to create collaborations and bring together multiple sectors and build synergies. Three organizations across the US will show the impacts of their creative initiatives in Oregon, Maryland and Arizona.

Material Reuse Deep Dive Forums Background

This series of virtual deep dive discussions will focus on the role of material reuse organizations in working with and building the resiliency of local communities. The presenters to be featured will talk in-depth about the programs they’ve developed to provide resources and serve the needs of residents, work toward policy solutions, and create economically viable systems. 

By material reuse, we are referring to the reuse of durable goods, including: construction materials, consumer and household items, electronics, books, textiles, and fixtures and furnishings.

Presenters 

Terry McDonald, Executive Director of St. Vincent De Paul Society of Lane County,  a nonprofit in Eugene, Oregon that provides an array of social services to 80,000 people annually. Under his leadership for 38 years, “St. Vinnie’s” has developed multiple reuse and recycling businesses, generating $53 million in gross revenue for the organization. With more than 50 years of experience in waste-to-cash enterprises, McDonald also oversees St. Vincent’s mentoring arm, Cascade Alliance, which helps other nonprofits develop successful waste-based business.

Nancy J Meyer, CEO and Executive Director of Community Forklift, a successful grassroots reuse enterprise in the Port Towns Community of Prince George's County, MD (just minutes from the DC line). She researches and writes on reuse as a platform for local social and environmental justice. 

Karen Jayne is the CEO of Stardust.  While at Stardust, she has increased the diversion rates of usable building materials and launched the Gifts In Kind program, which has distributed more than $85 million worth of reusable household items to fellow nonprofit organizations. She holds a Master’s degree in Business Administration from Regis University in Denver, Colorado and servesas a board member to the Arizona Recycling Coalition.

Any questions regarding the Material Reuse Deep Dive Forums can be sent to Mary Ann Remolador, Assistant Director, NERC.