A Word About Recycling with Ollie Maier
With protest marches, riots, and racism still in the news, an article in the Resource Recycling newsletter showed racism is also affecting recycling programs.
The article started, “Recycling organizations, environmental advocacy groups and municipal programs are joining the call to oppose racism and work for systemic change.”
The article mentioned several major recycling companies have commented on the current situation. For example, the CEO of the Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA), gave his opinion on the deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and Ahmaud Arbery.
He wrote, “These deaths reinforce ‘the unfair and obvious truth that African Americans throughout the United States remain too vulnerable to senseless violence and racism.’”
He mentioned, “Because we are all intricately connected by our common humanity, when one segment of our community is hurting, we must all respond.”
He noted that there are many African Americans in the waste and recycling industry. In fact, in a lot of areas, African American employees are vast majority of the front-line personnel. Thus, he implored the SWANA members to do what is necessary to overcome all racial, economic and other barriers that divide society.
And in New York, the New York Department of Sanitation (DSNY), noted “people in every neighborhood are speaking out loudly against racism, inequity and inequality.” As spokesperson for the department mentioned, after the burning and looting in some neighborhoods, many DSNY workers were involved in the required cleaning up after these events. (As if they didn’t have enough work already.)
Going across the country to the west coast, we find the Oregon Refuse and Recycling Association (ORRA) is also condemning any racism that exists in their ranks.
It a statement it said, “We know that this moment in history calls for self-reflection and for committing to doing things differently. No person should live in fear – we stand united with all people of color in calling for justice and accountability.”
They continued, “To this end, we commit ourselves to doing our own hard and intentional work to be more inclusive, to assessing our own biases, to listening and to fostering an industry where people of color can thrive.”
The CEO of The Recycling Partnership organization stated, “We at The Recycling Partnership stand with Black people and people of color: We stand against racism.”
He added, “Today, and in all the days to come, our mission to advance recycling will carry with it a flag of social justice including the right to pursue a healthier and more sustainable life. We call on our community, company and industry partners to listen, learn and do more to uphold equality. We pledge to do the same.”
Other organizations, with a similar message were: The Product Stewardship Institute (PSI); The Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives (GAIA); Green California; and As You Sow.
The article ended with a statement from As You Sow: “We must recognize the imperative to listen to and amplify the voices of all those who live under a constant threat of violence and intolerance, and who lack basic freedoms. Only through addressing these problems can we build a stronger whole.” (And we totally agree.)
