ReMA Heads to the 2025 National Conference of State Legislatures Summit in Boston

This year, from August 4-6, members and staff of the Recycled Materials Industry (ReMA) will be traveling to Boston, Massachusetts for the annual National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL).

The annual convention brings together legislative representatives from all 50 states and U.S. territories, including legislative staff, state and federal executive branch officials, industry representatives, and others interested in public policy. Each year, ReMA staff and members attend the Summit to show policymakers and other stakeholders the intricacies of the recycled materials industry.

“We typically lobby to legislators when they are in the height of their legislative sessions,” said Krista Ostuno, president of Cheshire, Connecticut-based Heavy Weight, Inc. and Plainville, Connecticut-based H.W. Green Company. “This is a great opportunity to have one-on-one time with the legislators and discuss issues without the pressure of being in session. Making these personal connections is important for us.”

Recycled Materials Showcase

At this year’s Summit, ReMA will highlight every day and iconic products made from recycled metals, plastics, glass, and more. The goal is to show policymakers the tangible presence of recycled materials in daily life.

ReMA’s booth will hold a contest where attendees can participate to win relatable items made of recycled materials including a handbag, dog toys, yoga mat, Skullcandy headphones, t-shirts, and home goods like spatulas and skillets. There will also be local candies exhibits in containers and packaging made from recycled materials.

Community Engagement

ReMA members and staff will be leading a volunteer activity at the Edgerley Boys and Girls Club on Monday, Aug. 4. Volunteers will assemble 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 Ostuno does locally in Connecticut.

“We reached out and explained that in the past we’ve donated backpacks and back-to-school supplies for students and all the items, including the backpacks, are made with recycled materials,” she said.

Ostuno’s companies have always been involved in giving back to the local communities. Providing donations for back-to-school season is no different. The backpacks come with a card that explains each item from crayons to colored pencils.

“We’re fulfilling an important need,” she said. “And it became important to me to feature supplies that were made from recycled materials. Every year we’re expanding this program. I don’t know where it will go in the future but as long as we put our best foot forward as an industry and spread the word about how recycled materials are essential to our everyday lives, then that’s a win.”

Photo by jacob Licht on Unsplash.