INDIANAPOLIS – The Indiana Recycling Coalition (IRC) is gearing up to host its 2021 Annual Conference, virtually, on June 8-10. The event will feature five pre-recorded and nine live sessions—including exhibit hall events and networking sessions—and over 30 experts from across the country. The virtual format provides easy access and multiple pass options to attendees, from Indiana and beyond. Prices range from $25 to $279 and IRC members receive a 35% discount.
The Keynote speaker is Cheryl T. Coleman, Vice President for Sustainability at the Institute for Scrap Recycling Industries (ISRI). In this role, she leads efforts with ISRI members and other stakeholders to strengthen the industry’s voice in domestic and global policy sustainability discussions including climate change, the circular economy and environmental justice. Ms. Coleman’s keynote address is titled All IN this Together: Now is the Critical Time for Collaboration and will underscore Indiana’s time-sensitive opportunity to leverage knowledge and capital for the highest and best investments into our recycling infrastructure.
“Three sessions of the event will focus on circular economy initiatives,” states Allyson Mitchell, IRC’s Executive Director. “This is the concept of embracing the principles of designing out waste and pollution, keeping materials in use, and regenerating natural systems; it goes way beyond recycling and aligns with the evolving focus of the IRC.”
One session (live on June 9) highlights the efforts of four major US cities pursuing circularity, and a second session (pre-recorded) features a panel discussion of partners in the IRC’s Indianapolis Circular Economy Initiative (ICEI). A third session is a virtual tour of the Innovation Barn in Charlotte, North Carolina – a dedicated space for entrepreneurs and city leaders to collaborate on waste-related challenges with the goal of increasing that City’s diversion from landfills.
Other topics include:
- a session dedicated to Understanding Environmental Racism
- a panel discussion on current and proposed policies to support recycling and the circular economy at the state and federal levels
- a session on glass recovery.
Unique to this year’s event is a focus on the IRC’s upcoming environmental education program for Indiana residents. A live session on Thursday, June 10 will explain Indiana’s poor ranking among other US states for environmental quality and the urgent need to invest in education to improve environmental outcomes. The session will include a brief demonstration of the IRC’s forthcoming Master Recycler Program, which aims to address this need by providing dynamic information, unique to Indiana, to increase awareness, drive sustainable behaviors, and improve environmental ethics.
This new online education program uses an interactive platform to encourage individuals to learn at their own pace while connecting them to resources in their local communities. By providing this free resource to all Hoosiers, the IRC’s goal is to dramatically improve information accessibility and environmental outcomes in Indiana. The IRC will conclude the Conference by recognizing the Master Recycler Program’s newest funding partner and providing information on new sponsorships available for the program.
