ReMA Elevates Recycled Materials Industry to Policymakers at NCSL
For Eds Harding, Vice President of Operations at Harding Metals and ReMA’s New England Chapter President, attending the 2025 National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) Summit in Boston was a full-circle moment. The last time the Summit was in Boston was 2017 and Harding was looking to get involved with volunteering for the association.
“Our chapter president told me a great way to get involved was through attending NCSL, and that was the first time I volunteered [for ReMA],” he said.
The NCSL Summit provides direct access to state lawmakers, legislative staff, and policy influencers from all 50 states. It offers a unique opportunity to raise the visibility of the recycled materials industry and engage on key issues critical to its success.
The first year Harding participated in NCSL the association brought in recycling equipment and hosted a luncheon for the attendees. This year was a bit different.
“This year we had our own booth and I think it was pretty effective,” Harding said. “We had a barista at the booth so attendees who walked by wanted to stop at the booth. While they were waiting in line for coffee, we had a great opportunity to talk with them.”
Those attendees included over 1,600 state legislators, 1,600 state legislative staff, and 8,000 total attendees for NCSL’s 50th anniversary and biggest Summit to date.
In addition to coffee with latte art featuring ReMA’s new logo, the booth showcased the America is Made of Recycled Materials messaging campaign and let members and staff interact with state policymakers from across the country in the only reverse fly-in of its type. ReMA highlighted iconic products made from recycled metals, plastics, glass, and more.
The booth featured a contest where attendees could participate to win items made of recycled materials including a handbag, dog toys, yoga mat, Skullcandy headphones, t-shirts, and home goods like spatulas and skillets. There were also local candies in containers and packaging made from recycled materials. The goal was to show policymakers the tangible presence of recycled materials in daily life.
“We had great conversations with attendees and there were volunteers who represented all parts of the country,” Harding said. “So, when a legislator from a certain region came by with questions, we could direct them to a ReMA member from that region to engage with them. It was great to see everyone work so well together.”
Attending NCSL gives ReMA and its members an important opportunity to make meaningful connections with lawmakers outside of legislative sessions. The booth volunteers shared valuable insight with legislators and their staff regarding the economic impact of the recycled materials industry and its essential contributions to a circular supply chain.
“We had people coming by who had a lot of questions for us about recycling and the industry,” Harding said. “We were able to illustrate how the industry extends beyond household recycling and its important impact on employment and the environment.”
In addition to the booth, ReMA staff and members led a volunteer activity at the Edgerley Boys and Girls Club on Monday, August 4. Volunteers assembled backpacks with back-to-school supplies to help students get a good start to their school year.
The community service project evolved from the backpack initiative that ReMA member Krista Ostuno, President of Cheshire, Connecticut-based Heavy Weight, Inc. and Plainville, Connecticut-based H.W. Green Company, does in her local community.
“The South Boston Boys and Girls Club is doing some incredible work in the community! We were given a fantastic tour by two counselors that once were students at the club. They provided our team with firsthand highlights of the program and facility,” Ostuno said. “The students and staff were so grateful for our time and donations. The backpacks were all made from recycled materials as were all the school supplies packed inside, so this was a fitting example of the America is Made with Recycled Materials campaign. The ReMA staff and member volunteers who participated were wonderful to work with!”
Ostuno’s companies have always been involved in giving back to the local community. Providing donations for back-to-school season is no different. The backpacks come with a card that explains what each of the items in the backpack is.
“These types of programs and initiatives are a great way for our industry to connect with our communities on an important level,” Ostuno said. “We not only learned about the incredible work being done at B&G Club, but we were also able to share the essential work we do every day in our industry. Giving back and educating these kids simultaneously is extremely rewarding.”