Learn more about recycling at Oklahoma Recycling Conference Oct. 20

Thursday, October 1, 2015

Those interested in learning more about recycling can do so at the 2015 Oklahoma Recycling Conference. The conference, hosted by the Oklahoma Recycling Association, will take place Oct. 20 at the University of Oklahoma-Tulsa Schusterman Center.

The theme for this year’s conference is Taking It Back: Making Recycling Work for Oklahoma.

The conference is geared toward all Oklahoma residents, including Extension educators, municipal and county officials, recycling professionals, rural community members, K-12 and college educators and students interested in recycling or improving local programs, said Lynn Malley, assistant Oklahoma State University Cooperative Extension specialist, solid waste management programs, and chair of this year’s OKRA Conference.

“We’re really excited to be a part of this conference and hope participants will go home with many new ideas that can be implemented in their communities,” Malley said.

This one-day conference will take place from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and will feature Scott Cassel, chief executive officer and founder of the Product Stewardship Institute, as the keynote speaker. The PSI is a national, member-based nonprofit committed to reducing the health, safety and environmental impacts of consumer products across their lifecycles with a strong focus on sustainable end-of-life management.

“Oklahoma is a member of PSI and has been working with the organization to develop product take-back programs and fact sheets that focus on the economic and financial benefits of recycling,” Malley said.

Kate Worley, senior manager for Walmart’s Solid Waste and Recycling program, also will be on hand to share information about recycling organic materials. Other industry specialists will be sharing their knowledge with participants on topics such as recycling in schools, recycling organic materials and recycling challenges faced by rural communities.

Participants also will have an opportunity to take part in one of two post-conference tours. One tour will take place at Natural Evolution, an electronics recycling facility that follows the guidelines set by the Product Stewardship Council. It will be led by owner and avid recycler, Traci Phillips, who also is president of OKRA. The other tour will occur at Tulsa Recycle and Transfer Station, led by Robert Pickens. If you have ever wanted to see what happens to your recycling after it leaves your home, these tours will be real eye openers.

This conference counts as an in-service for Extension educators. It is number 72284. Up to seven Continuing Education Credits will be offered to members of the Solid Waste Association of North America certification who attend the conference. For more information, contact Malley at lynn.malley@okstate or info@recycleok.org.

Participants may register online now at http://www.eventbrite.com/e/oklahoma-recycling-conference-tickets-17361054381. Early registration is $60 until Oct.13. After that date it is $75. OKRA members may register early for $40 or $55 after Oct. 13. The student early registration rate is $15, or $20 after Oct. 13. Registration includes all local foods for the continental breakfast, lunch and break refreshments. Parking is free. For more information about the conference, please visit http://www.recycleok.org/okra/oklahoma-events-activities/.

A block of hotel rooms has been reserved at the Hilton Garden Inn. Reservations may be made at http://hiltongardeninn.hilton.com/en/gi/groups/personalized/T/TULMDGI-OKRA-20151019/index.jhtml.

OKRA is a nonprofit corporation established to improve the business of recycling by providing education and referral services about integrated solid waste management, including reduction, reuse and recycling.