ISRI2018: Tooting the recycling horn

A presentation and reception that followed at the ISRI2018 convention, held in Las Vegas in mid-April, explored ways the recycling industry could forge connections with the entertainment industry to broadcast critical recycling messages to the wider public.

At the session, Boston-based Berklee College of Music graduate Kanika Patawari showed video clips and offered ideas on how the two industries can work together to boost recycling best practices and the volume of materials recycled. Patawari is the daughter of Surendra Patawari Borad, who is chair of Belgium-based recycling firm Gemini Corp.

She urged session attendees, predominantly members of the Washington-based Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries (ISRI), the convention organizer, to draw upon friends, family and professional connections to “gather star power” to create short films or YouTube clips to promote recycling.

Patawari referred to the ISRI2018 MusicRecycle session as “the first step through the door” in making such connections happen. “Making recycling cool is in everyone’s best interest,” she stated.

Patawari and fellow Berklee College alumnus Clint Valladares said the Berklee community of alumni and faculty is a place to start for the MusicRecycle project, but they urged those in the audience to consider whether they had any entertainment connections in Southern California, since ISRI2019 will be hosted in Los Angeles.

“We want to make recycling hip,” said Valladares, adding that next year’s convention in Los Angeles provided “an opportunity to work with really incredible people.”

In a news release leading up to the MusicRecycle session and reception, ISRI states, “We are looking for recycling industry professionals with existing connections in the music and entertainment industries and/or a commitment to more and better public education on the need and the process of recycling.”

In that same news release, ISRI indicates those who wish to connect with the RecycleMusic project or who want more information can contact ISRI staff member Bob Ensinger at bensinger@isri.org.

ISRI2018 was April 16-19 at the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino in Las Vegas.