MATERIAL MATTERS
OCTOBER 2020 NEWSLETTER
Member Spotlight on

TAILWIND FURNITURE
For twenty plus years, Tailwind Furniture, family owned business in Cortland IL, has been manufacturing earth–friendly, commercial grade, outdoor furniture & lifeguard chairs and supplying the aquatics industry, park districts, restaurants and anyone with outdoor furniture needs. These unique outdoor dining sets, benches, Adirondack Chairs, and Lifeguard Chairs are virtually maintenance free by using recycled plastic lumber derived from used & discarded milk containers and stainless-steel fasteners. Purchasing just one of their popular Adirondack Chairs diverts 450 milk containers from landfills.  Be sure to visit them at www.tailwindfurniture.com. 
Members of the Illinois Recycling Association enjoy the benefit of spotlighting their Business, Government, Educational Institution or Non-Profit entity in a future Newsletter. If you would like to be featured, please send an email to info@illinoisrecycles.org.
WELCOME TO THE ILLINOIS RECYCLING FOUNDATION

At September’s Annual Meeting, the Illinois Recycling Association announced the formation of its purely educational arm, the Illinois Recycling Foundation. The creation of the Foundation has been decades in the making.

Nearly 40 years ago, the Illinois Recycling Association was created as a 501(c)6 entity under the tax codes which gave it leeway as a not-for-profit organization to participate in lobbying activities. However, over the years, the Association spent most of its energy on recycling education and fostering dialog between non-profit, private and government organizations in the State of Illinois.

Drawbacks to the 501(c)6 status was that it was difficult to secure grants as a lobbying entity and members did not receive charitable contribution status for fees paid.  Years ago, the Association explored becoming a 501(c)3 educational charity but felt the limits on legislative action would hinder the members’ needs.  At the 2014 annual conference, members approved a plan to have a dual set of organizations. Finally, after resolving some administrative matters, we are proud to announce the birth of the Illinois Recycling Foundation!

Going forward, the Illinois Recycling Foundation will be the primary organization providing educational literature, events, tours, networking, webinars and similar content.   Membership fees will be tax deductible. Please look for your next annual renewal notice to be from the Foundation. 

The Illinois Recycling Association will continue to exist, but will focus its efforts on legislative activities. Please look for an email from the Association updating its by-laws.

Both the Association and the Foundation are seeking new Board members, so please let us know if you have an interest in joining our new team. We also welcome you to join our committees and be part of this exciting endeavor. We look forward to providing a higher level of service to all our members.

Participation and membership matter.

Marta Keane, President of IRF
Ron Tazelaar, President of IRA
PUMPKINS FOR COMPOST
 
Many of our members, such as St. Louis Composting, are gearing up to take unwanted, saggy, soggy, and even well shaped pumpkins at collections around the state. The first Saturday of November has become the major collection event day at cities, counties, parks and forest preserves throughout Illinois. This effort involves more than simple collection – there is a Catapult for Compost event in Will County, a Pumpkin Smash in many other places. This brings families together for an after Halloween event that introduces them to compost education. Our compost members welcome the pumpkins while educators across the state enjoy assisting folks with starting a backyard compost during leaf season.
RECYCLING POLICY AT THE NATIONAL LEVEL

The US EPA is working on a national strategy for recycling. Earlier this month they released a draft that builds on EPA’s 2019 National Framework for Advancing the U.S. Recycling System. The strategy organizes high-level actions around three strategic objectives to improve the U.S. recycling system:
  • Reduce contamination
  • Increase processing efficiency
  • Improve markets

This is now open for public comment through December 4, 2020, with the goal of finalizing it in early 2021. Please review and comment and let us know your concerns so we may also incorporate them as the Collective Voice from the State of Illinois.
RESULTS OF EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE ELECTIONS
Held at the first Board Meeting of the IRA and first Board Meeting of IRF
ILLINOIS RECYCLING FOUNDATION
Marta Keane, President
John Lardner, Vice President
Jon Tigchelaar, Secretary
Mary Margaret Cowhey, Treasurer
ILLINOIS RECYCLING ASSOCIATION
Ron Tazelaar, President
Luke Fikejs, Vice President
Kim Cronin, Secretary
Mary Margaret Cowhey, Treasurer
CONGRATULATIONS TO IRA MEMBERS ON THE
NRC BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The NRC held its annual elections and Marta Keane was elected to join Pete Adrian, David Keeling and Bill Turley on the NRC Board of Directors. The new board will convene October 30. We are proud to have several former IRA Board members and current Board members representing our interests on the national recycling stage.
JOIN AN IRF COMMITTEE
 
Please review this list of newly forming IRF committees. Some will meet monthly while others will meet only twice a year. Take a moment to become involved and share your talents to further reuse, recycling and composting in Illinois!
 
  • Communications Committee (meets monthly)
  • Event Committee (meets monthly most of the year)
  • Conference Committee (meets monthly beginning at least 6 months before the conference)
  • Regional Outreach Committee (expected to meet six times a year)
  • Organics Recycling Committee (expected to meet six times a year)
  • Electronics Recycling Committee (meets twice a year)
  • C&D Recycling Committee (meets twice a year)
  • College/University and School Committee (meets twice a year)
  • Textile Reuse and Recycling Committee (meets twice a year)
  • Traditional Recycling / MRF Committee (meets twice a year)
  • Grant Committee (meets six times a year)
"There are no problems we cannot solve together. There are very few that we can solve by ourselves."
Lyndon B Johnson 36th President of the United States of America
Illinois Recycling Foundation & Illinois Recycling Association, PO Box 6957, Villa Park IL 60181
708 358 0050
info@illinoisrecycles.org