The Cologne, Germany-based Interseroh business unit of the Berlin-based Alba Group has formed Interseroh+ GmbH, which it says “is aimed at all companies that not only want to meet their legal obligation for packaging licensing but also want to take responsibility themselves for closing recycling and raw material loops.” Many of the services offered by the Interseroh Dienstleistungs GmbH (ISD) business unit will be transferred to Interseroh+.

“Consumers are demanding products and packaging that are not only recyclable but are made from an ever-higher share of recyclates,” says Markus Müller-Drexel, managing director of Interseroh+. “For manufacturers and distributors, but also for retailers with [their] own brands, this means they must secure access to the material loop to have sufficient recycling raw materials for their production in future.”

Interseroh+ predicts a “huge shortage” in recycled-content materials after the EU Commission introduces its minimum recycled-content quota for packaging and products in Europe. “A contract with Interseroh+ not only meets the licensing obligations but is more like an entry ticket to the entire raw material loop,” states Müller-Drexel.

According to the firm, companies that sign up to the Interseroh+ dual system can “also take advantage of other services in addition to access to recycling raw materials – from the research laboratory in Maribor, Slovenia, to the ‘Made for Recycling’ testing procedure, which evaluates the recyclability of packaging and provides advice on packaging design.”

Additionally, Interseroh+ offers what it calls a complete recyclable loop beyond the licensing business from one single source, with its in-house partners from the Alba Group. “With Alba Recycling, Germany’s market leader in sorting plants, and its own plastics processing as well as national and international partners in specialized recycling processes, Interseroh+ has a comprehensive production of recycled plastics at its disposal,” states the firm.

Brand owners and product distributors have the option of being “a silent partner in the start-up,” says Interseroh+. “Outwardly, this doesn't have to be done silently at all. Our partners can advertise this and make it clear to their customers that they go far beyond meeting the normal legal obligation with their commitment,” adds Müller-Drexel. “They are no longer commissioning a service provider but getting involved themselves and taking responsibility.”

Interseroh says it is “spinning off all competencies relating to the recycling cycle from the previous company ISD and bundling them in the new company, Interseroh+.” Müller-Drexel says the company is working to transfer previous ISD arrangements with German states to Interseroh+ and says “all old contracts as well as all experts for this business area are to be transferred to the new company.”

Adds Müller Drexel, “Together with our customers and partners, we want to focus on the important issues of the future: the further development and closing of the loop as well as the secure supply of recyclates, in the long term too: transparency throughout the system is the absolute maxim in the new ‘recycling alliance.’”

Athens Services has announced that Rondi Guthrie has been named vice president of government affairs for the waste and recycling services provider based out of City of Industry, California. Guthrie will assume a newly created role responsible for managing Athens’ government, community and civic outreach activities in Ventura County.

Guthrie comes to Athens from Rosemead, California-based Southern California Edison (SCE), where she held leadership roles in government relations.

“We are fortunate to have someone of Rondi’s caliber and experience to lead our outreach in this important region,” Athens Services Executive Vice President Gary Clifford says. 

Athens currently serves the Ventura County city of Santa Paula, California. The company will begin exclusive waste collection and recycling service for Thousand Oaks, the second-largest city in the county, Jan. 1, 2022.

“We are at a critical moment in preparing for the transition of services in eight months,” Clifford says. “Rondi has exceptional credentials with a proven track record of execution. Her work with Ventura County community organizations, elected officials, environmental groups and residents gives her a solid understanding of the region and its needs.”

“I am honored and excited to lead governmental affairs for Athens Services,” Guthrie says. “I believe Athens will be a positive force for environmental sustainability for Thousand Oaks, Ventura County and Southern California as a whole.”

Guthrie is no stranger to Ventura County governmental and community affairs. She represented SCE in Santa Barbara and Ventura County, served as the district director for two former California state assemblymembers representing Ventura County and was recognized as one of the Top 50 Women in Business by the Pacific Coast Business Times in 2020.

She also directed government affairs for the Building Industry Association of Greater Los Angeles/Ventura County, where she was the key spokesperson in Ventura County.

The National Waste & Recycling Association (NWRA) announced its 2021 Membership Award recipients for three categories. The recipients were selected for their contributions in support of the waste and recycling industry and the association. 

The 2021 honorees are:

• Services Member of the Year Award: Andrea Calarco of Casella Waste Systems for her work on the extended producer responsibility issue in New York.
• Suppliers Member of the Year Award: Zach Martin of Big Truck Rental for his commitment and leadership.
• Chapter Leadership Award: Dean Matts, Ferguson Environmental Resources Inc., for attracting new members and representing the industry before legislators and regulators.
• Services Distinguished Service Award: Bill Keegan of Dem-Con for his service to the association.
• Suppliers Distinguished Service Award: Chris Hawn, Machinex Technologies Inc., for his contributions to the association that helped make NWRA a stronger voice for the waste and recycling industry.

Members of the Year are selected based on their service to the industry over the past year. Chapter Leadership awards are given to members whose contributions to an NWRA chapter were particularly meritorious. Distinguished Service awards are presented to longstanding members of NWRA who render service in pursuit of the association’s mission and goals. These awards recognize the highest spirit of volunteerism, personal integrity, professionalism and performance in an honorable and ethical manner.

“Our member companies and their employees are the strength of NWRA,” says NWRA President and CEO Darrell Smith. “Without these individuals’ leadership and contribution, NWRA would not be the leading association in the waste industry. I congratulate them on their achievement.” 

In addition, NWRA announced that Richard Burke is the Class of 2021 inductee to its hall of fame. Burke is the former chairman and CEO of Advanced Disposal Services. His career spans more than 30 years, recently leading Advanced Disposal through its merger with Waste Management. 

“I am honored to be inducted into the NWRA Hall of Fame,” says Burke. “It is humbling to join a group consisting of the founders and leaders of our industry, and I look forward to celebrating with family and friends during WasteExpo 2022.”

Hall of Fame inductees are selected based on scores in five categories, including the impact of contributions to the industry for a minimum of 25 years, values, leadership on issues important to NWRA at the national, state, or local level and active association engagement and service as an ambassador of the industry.

“Richard has personified every qualification of the Hall of Fame during his 34 years in the industry as a founder, pioneer and icon. He is universally recognized for his integrity, expertise, vision and passion for the industry,” says John Spegal, independent director for Interstate Waste Services Inc. “He is also universally respected by his peers, stakeholders, regulators, community and, most importantly, the people he leads. He is a rare talent. I congratulate him on his induction into the NWRA Hall of Fame.”

Virginia-based recycler C2 Management has announced it is joining The Electronics Reuse & Recycling Alliance (TERRA). The company says it hopes to unite with other businesses to create a voice that advocates for certification and looks forward to collaborating with other members.

TERRA is a network of e-Stewards and Responsible Recycling (R2) certified e-scrap recycling and information technology asset disposition (ITAD) solution providers with secure destruction facilities across North America. 

"We know joining an organization like TERRA will continue to bring much needed attention to the issue of recycler certification," says Chris Hansen, CEO of C2 Management. "Profitable collaborative efforts will result from initiating communications with TERRA members in a very clear way about what we do and what we don't do." 

Hansen says he has built a company that prides itself on responsible reuse and recycling and has been R2 certified a decade ago. Lending advocacy to certification was key to the formation of TERRA, and membership requires either an R2 or e-Stewards certification. 

TERRA President and CEO Steve Napoli says the unified message of responsible recycling is central for companies that are doing the right thing to compete for business. "Raising awareness of certification will eventually force government and the private sector to pay more attention to responsible recycling," Napoli says. "This will start to put the business in the hands of companies that are actually looking out for the planet. R2 and e-Stewards certified companies go through a rigorous annual auditing process that ensures environmental responsibility."

"The days of going it alone and protecting client lists at all costs are gone," Hansen says. "Transparency regarding best practices, environmental efficiency and the willingness to work with others are the types of strengths that are helping us grow today."