California Resource Recovery Association's 27th Annual Conference

Membership Diversity Includes Government, Business, Non-profit, Refuse/Recycling Companies

Ontario, CA— The California Resource Recovery Association (CRRA), a state affiliate to the National Recycling Coalition conducted its 27th Annual State Conference at the Ontario Convention Center July 20-23, 2003. The event is recognized as the premier recycling focused conference in the state attracted 700 professionals engaged in reuse, recycling, composting and recycling market development.

In an effort to fund CRRA’s ongoing activities, 33 sponsoring local and state agencies and private companies made contributions of money, needed products and services. Supporters have helped raised over $150,000 in 2003. “Our sponsors are essential to CRRA’s viability and the California recycling industry. Special thanks to the City of Ontario, Burrtec Waste Industries, Inc., City of Los Angeles, Riverside County Waste Management Department, Alameda County Waste Management Authority and Zero Waste Communities of San Bernardino County who are among the many partners of CRRA that made this year’s conference a big success,” Davis said.

Highlights of the conference included plenary comments from Dr. Paul Connett, a chemistry professor from St. Lawrence University and an outspoken opponent of waste incineration. Penny Newman, Director of the Center for Community Action and Environmental Justice, shared her struggles to expose and remediate the Stringfellow Acid Pitts superfund site in Glen Avon in Riverside County, California. Dr. Doug McKenzie-Mohr, an environmental psychologist, provided insight about the elements of an effective community-based social marketing program.

Conference sessions included Technical Council meetings on zero waste, college and university recycling, food diversion, construction and demolition, recycling coordinator roles, special venues recycling, and training for conservation corps and basic recycling.

Award winners recognized were: Recycler of the Year - Rick Anthony, Outstanding C & D Diversion Program – City of San Jose, Outstanding Public Outreach Program – Sonoma County Waste Management Authority, and Outstanding Organics Program – High Dessert and Mountain Master Composters.