Marty Metro, Founder and CEO of UsedCardboardBoxes, is a firm believer in learning from your mistakes. In 2002, he launched Boomerang Boxes, a chain of eco-friendly retail stores that bought and sold used moving boxes, but after three years it became clear his attempt was premature, undercapitalized, and had major logistic flaws. “I was a…
ISRI and the Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA) hosted a briefing in conjunction with the U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works Committee on Tuesday, examining the safe handling, transportation and recycling of lithium-ion batteries. Senators Tom Carper (D-Del.) and John Boozman (R-AR), co-chairs of the Senate Recycling Caucus, gave opening remarks. Legislative efforts…
In September 2022, the Securities and Exchange Commission announced charges against Morgan Stanley stemming from the company’s failures, over a five-year period, to protect the personal identifying information of approximately 15 million customers. “The real crux of the problem was a misunderstanding between the information technology asset disposition (ITAD) company and Morgan Stanley,” says Matthew Young, founder…
The first of three fall 2022 ISRI Safety and Environmental Conference (ISEC) sessions will feature a panel discussion on a major concern to recyclers: lithium-ion batteries. “We had a very productive fall board meeting [in October],” explains Cheryl Coleman, ISRI vice president of sustainability. “During several of the sessions, members expressed concerns about lithium-ion battery…
ISRI’s Safety and Environmental Conference (ISEC) is coming back for fall 2022 with updated information related to environmental, health, and safety (EHS) issues facing recyclers. The 2022 fall ISEC will be held consecutive Thursdays: Nov. 3, 10, and 17. Some of the topics will be familiar to recyclers who attended the 2022 spring ISEC in…
The U.S. has the second-largest number of Spanish speakers in the world, behind Mexico. Five states (Arizona, California, Florida, Texas, and New York) recommend postings in both English and Spanish to enhance the workplace. ISRI has long recognized that helping workers in recycling do their best to supply high quality renewable, sustainable materials means translating…
ISRI’s cooperation with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) goes back decades but was formalized in October 2015 with ISRI’s entrance into OSHA’s Alliance program. ISRI and OSHA collaborate on events such as ISRI Safety and Environmental Council (ISEC) meetings, ISRI’s Safety Stand-Down Day, and ISRI’s annual convention to provide compliance assistance for attendees,…
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) continues to recognize ISRI for the association’s efforts to promote fire safety in the recycling industry and overall best practices in environmental, health, and safety (EHS). On Sept. 22, OSHA included a $160,000 grant for ISRI in its announcement of more than $11.7 million in grants to 90…
Each year the E-Scrap Conference and Trade Show brings together electronics recyclers, information technology asset disposition (ITAD) firms, electronics manufacturers, buyers and brokers of recycled commodities, device repair businesses, government officials, potential investors, and other players in the growing sector. This year, ISRI rebounds from COVID with a big presence Sept. 19-21 at the Hyatt…
It’s back to the future for ISRI’s Superfund Recycling Equity Act (SREA) Reasonable Care Compliance Program. After two years of offering SREA Reports at the member price year-round, the trade association is returning to an “Open Season” ordering model. SREA Subcommittee Chair Jim Wiseman of Smart Recycling Management explains the change will benefit members and the…
The Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) presented automotive recycler Pull-A-Part’s Indianapolis facility with their seventh Indiana Clean Yard-Gold Level award in recognition of the company’s efforts to protect the environment. Hani Sharaya, IDEM Senior Environmental Engineer, presented a commemorative certificate to Pull-A-Part’s Gabriel Boateng, chief of production operations, and Steve Jones, retail manager, during…
Digitalization is a useful tool for recyclers with a wide variety of benefits. But while it’s had a presence in the industry for years, not everyone has adopted it. “There are facilities that still write paper receipts or have certain payment systems that require a lot of man-work,” says Virginia Buechel, marketing director at Rockaway…