As 2023 makes way for 2024, let’s take a look back at the past year and at a glimpse into the future.
The Legislative Committee continued to be a force: Our legislative committee
got to work in September 2022 on a wish list including e-cycling and EPR for packaging. The committee met and worked with respective legislators on drafting pending legislation for the 2023 MD General Assembly 90-day session. The group also participated in a workgroup call on organics and AD systems.
As a whole, we provided statements on eight bills, two of which were eventually passed including a scaled-back version of the
EPR bill. We also provided in-person testimonies on six bills (
here and
here), and written testimonies on two other bills. MRN president Kitty McIlroy
testified before the U.S. Senate Committee on E-cycling.
Read a recap of the session.
Events continued to bring relevant topics to our members: We hosted 6
FREE webinars on topics ranging from recycling market updates, reuse options in MD, innovative programs in glass recycling and reuse initiatives, and labor shortage solutions. The 2023 calendar also included two tours:
Repurpose Aggregates Tour (9/14) and
TurboHaul Mattress Recycling Tour (12/15).
The 2023 MRN/SWANA Mid-Atlantic Conference exceeded all expectations: More than 180 recycling and solid waste pros gathered at Turf Valley on
June 12 to hear the latest industry news and to hobnob with their peers – and make some new contacts along the way. The
program was a packed lineup featuring the hottest – and some mildly hot – topics relevant to both the recycling and solid waste industries.
p.s. Planning for the
2024 MRN/SWANA Mid-Atlantic Annual Conference (6/10/24) has begun. If you have a topic related to solid waste and recycling operations, education/outreach, trends, technology, etc. that you would like to share,
submit your ideas by 1/5/24.
Registration and sign-up for exhibit space and sponsorship are open.
MRN Sponsored the 2023 Maryland Department of the Environment “Rethink Recycling” Sculpture Contest: As part of our annual sponsorship, MRN
presented a $250 check to the winner during the November 17th event. The contest, which is held in celebration of America Recycles Day (11/15), challenges Maryland high school students to create works of art using recyclable materials.
Kitty McIlroy Elected as 2023-2024 MRN President: In June,
members voted on the 2023-24 Board of Directors Slate electing
Kitty McIlroy, Northeast Maryland Waste Disposal Authority, as president and to a two-year director term position. Also elected were
Michele Blair, City of Laurel Office of the City Administrator, as vice president, and
Anthony Drury, Washington County Department of Public Works, as secretary/treasurer.
And what’s next…
The 2023-2024 Board of Directors gathered to talk strategy: On November 14, the BOD met for the first of several strategic meetings focusing on 2024-2026 goals. The discussion included advocacy efforts, educational and social events planning, and membership development. The strategic planning will continue at subsequent monthly meetings.
MRN strives to be a connection point, a resource, and a voice for the recycling and solid waste community. We accomplish this through our
education & events by providing learning opportunities, creative solutions, and networking; and our
legislative efforts by working with legislators and stakeholders on relevant bills and regulatory initiatives that may affect (positively and negatively) our industry and community.
As always, thank you to our wonderful sponsors below and … as PBS says … “members like you.”
For those of you who are not members, please take this opportunity to join today and support the association that supports you!
Have a safe and wonderful holiday season and New Year. We’ll be back in action in January.