RRS hosts webinar to discuss regional approaches to move toward circular economies

During a webinar with the Council of the Great Lakes Region (CGLR) and the Solid Waste Agency of Lake County, IL (SWALCO), Resource Recycling Systems (RRS) discussed many ways to move in the direction of a more circular economy.

Speakers included Mark Fisher, CEO, CGLR, discussing waste flow trends, and the change needed to move to circularity in the Great Lakes Region. Attendees also heard from Walter Willis, Executive Director, SWALCO. Willis discussed the recycling progress the multi-municipal authority has made. Lastly, Susan Graff, VP, RRS, shared the way data can be utilized to move toward circularity, how to best leverage relationships and move local recycling in the right direction.

Fisher kicked off the webinar with CGLR’s goals to become more sustainable. As the Great Lakes region has 84 percent of North America’s fresh water and Fisher says if the region were a country, it would have the 3^rd largest economy in the world.

“Sustainable environmental management of this region is critical for the continued economic success and growth of the U.S. and Canada,” Fisher said. “We definitely see new challenges on the horizon, not just climate change.”

He said that about 80 percent of the litter along our Great Lakes is plastic. Among the hurdles to achieve circularity, Fisher said recycling infrastructure, recycling behavior, as well as policy and investment are among some of those hurdles.

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Going forward Fisher said he’s looking forward to finalizing the members of the Great Lakes Circular Economy Partnership and to launch the program. In the future, he’d like to include public, private, and non-profit collaborators to support the program.

Willis spoke next about how Lake County, Illinois is working to improve its sustainability. From greenhouse gases to controlling food waste, Willis covered a range of topics.

“Trying to make this real, and not just some economic concept,” Willis said when speaking about moving toward a more circular economy. Going forward SWALCO plans to work with Rheaply, a digital reuse platform for businesses, schools and government in Lake County.

The third and final speaker, Graff, shared her thoughts about how commodities have changed over the years. Plastic, both PET bottles and plastic bags and containers, as well as corrugated containers, have increased, while newspapers and glass containers are decreasing. 

She wrapped up her presentation by re-emphasizing the importance of 6 necessary steps to creating a circular economy. Including collection, processing, end markets, education and outreach, supporting policies and public-private partnership.