We are hiring!

March 2023

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Welcome New NRC Board Members

We are excited to share that three new members have joined our Board of Directors!

Rich Woodson is a steward of sustainable solutions and committed to pioneering innovative approaches that connect sustainability and energy goals from design to execution. For more than twenty years, he has provided oversite on design solutions and enhanced the quality of complex commercial buildings. He is a registered Professional Engineer with a Bachelor of Science degree in Architectural Engineering from Kansas State University.

Rich is the Manager of Design Build and Sustainability at MCL Construction. He manages MCL’s commitment to sustainable practices and led the firm to become the 19th contractor in the country to accept Building Green’s – Contractor’s Commitment to Sustainable Construction. A pledge to reduce the industry’s carbon footprint and manage waste diversion.

Melissa Mercier is the Director of Organics & Sustainability for Uribe Refuse Services, where she oversees Waste to Energy Lincoln, LLC. Melissa is working to develop and implement new and innovative sustainable waste management solutions. She focuses on growing waste diversion programs in the community and developing infrastructure for the recovery of energy and nutrients from organic waste. Melissa has a degree in Marine Biology from the University of Rhode Island and a master’s degree in Biological Oceanography with molecular biology from the Graduate School of Oceanography. After graduating, she worked in genetics for five years before leaving to pursue her passion for sustainability.

Melissa grew up in Baltimore, Maryland, where she attended science camps and family trips on the Chesapeake Bay that fostered her love for the natural environment. She was passionate about recycling from a young age, which ultimately led her to a career in sustainable waste management. She lives in Lincoln with her fiancé Brent and their two dogs and guinea pig. She loves to travel, camp, and spend as much time outdoors with her dogs as possible in her free time.

Jack MacLean joined the Board in 2023 after years of membership with the NRC. Jack works for Casella Resource Solutions as a National Account Manager as part of the Healthcare Solutions line of business. In this role, Jack works directly with large scale waste generators to design sustainable resource management programs, providing comprehensive services driving zero waste and ESG goals for their customers, while also generating cost-saving initiatives that ensure the economic, as well as environmental, viability of the resource program. Jack works with customers across North America, integrating with their operation to implement innovative solutions to complex waste challenges to drive higher value from their byproducts, increase recyclability, reduce overall waste, and maintain higher quality materials cycling in the circular economy. Within the state of Nebraska, Jack and his team work collaboratively with partners and customers to recycle over 25,000 tons of post-industrial scrap materials every year.

We’re hiring a full time Program Director!

NRC is looking for an organized self-starter who is passionate about sustainable materials management with an emphasis on organics. This position involves grant management, education & outreach, and project coordination regarding compost, food waste diversion, agriculture, and/or soil science.

More information about NRC and the full job description can be found here.

If interested please send a resume and cover letter to Haley at [email protected]. The deadline to apply is 3/15/2023.

NECC Updates!

Last month the NE Chapter of the US Composting Council voted on a leadership committee, MOU, and Chapter Agreement to remain in compliance with USCC regulations. Committee members are:

Nash Leef: City of Lincoln (President)

Suzanne Gates: Novozymes (Vice President and NRC Board Liaison)

Jean Waters: Independent Consultant (Secretary)

NRC staff (Treasurer and Staff Support)

The purpose of the Nebraska Compost Council is to exist as a Affiliate State Chapter of the United States Compost Council dedicated to the development, expansion, and promotion of the composting industry using science, principles of sustainability, and economic viability. The Chapter is an active committee of members, compost operators, stakeholders, and NRC staff. The Chapter meets bi-monthly and all interested composters are welcome to join.

Get Connected

Recycling Equipment Grant Award Increased

Funded by the Nebraska Environmental Trust, our recycling equipment grant program has been going strong for many years. Recently, we requested to increased the maximum grant award amount from $20,000 to $25,000 and the NET board members approved our request! You can now apply for grant funding for recycling and composting equipment for up to $25,000 in grant funds, with a required cash match.

For more information about this grant program, check out our website or email [email protected]. Thanks!

Promotional Opportunity

on NRC website

We have a great opportunity for businesses and companies interested in promotion their services on the Nebraska Recycling Council website. You can promote your business with a banner graphic on our Online Recycling Guide homepage for $100/year. In 2022, 1,474 visitors came to this webpage to search in our online recycling guide.

If you are interested, please contact Program Director Allison Majerus for more information and to sign up.

Thank you Lifetime Members!

We want to sincerely thank lifetime members for their past and continued support of NRC! It means so much to us.

Rozz Beckman

Julie Diegel

Carrie Hakenkamp

Gene Hanlon

Tyler Mainquist

Adam Prochaska

Joshua Skov

Patricia Stear

Constance Zehr

Tidbit: Business Mailings

If you send out regular mailings, we encourage you to reach out to subscribers, to reduce waste and stop sending materials to people who have moved, no longer work at that address and to streamline your contact list. It'll save you money and reduce your paper usage!

Lower Platte South NRD Survey

The Lower Platte South Natural Resource District is conducting a short survey on the public's views on natural resources and their work in the Salt Creek Watershed. Please complete the survey if you live in the Lower Platte South NRD. Thank you!