ISRI2021: ISRI chair highlights the association’s work in the last year

Gary Champlin, general manager of Champlin Tire Recycling Inc., Concordia, Kansas, and the chair of the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries (ISRI), provided the State of the Association Address prior to the Opening Keynote with Chef José Andrés to kick off ISRI’s 2021 virtual conference.

“The war on COVID-19 has changed our lives in ways we may not even know yet,” Champlin said, expressing that he hoped the end of the pandemic was within sight.

He noted that recyclers always have been part of the war effort, and the war on COVID-19 has been no exception. “Our industry and people are vital to the health of our world in many ways,” Champlin added, noting the important role recyclers play in the supply chain. He said recycled materials are used even in the needles that are being used to administer the vaccines that will have a role in bringing the pandemic to an end.    

ISRI has helped the industry navigate the pandemic, Champlin said, offering COVID-19 resources on its website at www.isri.org/covid-19. This information includes a state and local policy dashboard, resources and assistance available at the state and federal level, mental health resources and environmental, health and safety guidance on operating safely in the pandemic.

Champlin also said ISRI fought for the industry to be designated as essential by the Department of Homeland Security, “allowing all of us to remain in operation” throughout the pandemic.

Another success he noted the Washington-based association achieved in the last year was its victory before the Surface Transportation Board regarding railroad demurrage charges, which culminated in the adoption of the Final Rule Establishing Minimum Information Requirements for Class I Demurrage Invoices.

When the rule was adopted, ISRI President Robin Wiener said, “This Supplemental Rule from the STB includes information necessary for accurate and effective communication between shippers and our rail carrier partners. Rail invoices will now include accurate and accessible information, so both rail carriers and rail shippers are on the same page. The STB’s rule recognizes that the communication of correct information can help prevent many misunderstandings between rail shippers and carriers.”

Other work the association has engaged in over the last year included creating a fire prevention and management plan for recycling facilities, a hazard recognition resource and a workforce development kit with marketing pieces designed to help ISRI members attract qualified applicants to their businesses.

“Work to protect our members and industry doesn’t come from one place or to serve one commodity,” Champlin said.

To that end, the One ISRI Working Group seeks to identify challenges that might affect one commodity today but has the potential to affect “all of recycling tomorrow,” he said, adding that the industry has to “get better at identifying challenges of the future.”

Champlin also mentioned the topic of environmental justice (EJ), saying the concept is “here to stay.” The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency defines EJ as the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people, regardless of race, color, national origin or income, with respect to the development, implementation and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations and policies.

“As recyclers, we play a critical role in environmental protection. We are invested in communities where we operate,” Champlin said, adding that it is “critical” for recyclers to work with their neighbors when EJ issues arise. “Learn about environmental justice,” he advised attendees. “Make an assessment in your own company with your employees … get neighbors in on the conversation, tell your story to local and state reps, work with other ISRI members. Now is the time to get ahead on this issue.”

Champlin also mentioned that ISRI has done work on product recyclability, starting with its development of recyclability protocol for paper-based product packaging. The association also has formed its Brand Council, which is designed to bring the supply chain together to address issues around product design and recyclability. Champlin added that Colgate-Palmolive and Unilever are the council’s first members.  

“No industry is stronger than its trade association,” he said. “Join me in being ISRI strong.”

After his comments, Champlin interviewed the keynote speaker, chef Andrés, whose World Central Kitchen nonprofit uses food to nourish communities and strengthen economies through times of crisis and beyond.

Andrés advised against overplanning, saying it “puts your teams on the path of failure.” Instead, he said, leaders should teach their teams to adapt and enable them to make decisions in adversity. “You have to simplify the mission.”

His approach to leading, Andrés said, was to be a “person of action with boots on the ground.” He added, “Sometimes, I lead from the front, sometimes I lead from the back.”

ISRI2021 is taking place April 20-22 and April 27-29 online.