HomeMy WebLinkAboutWA_RMDC_JeffCoSWACRecycling Market Development Center
Jefferson County SWAC Presentation July 2024
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Presented By: Megan Davis, WA State Department of Ecology
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Meet our Team
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Background
Washington Legislature (Chapter 70A.240 RCW) - July 2019
Research, market development, marketing, and policy analysis on Washington’s recycling commodity market.
Partnership with Ecology & Commerce
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Core Pillars
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Convening
Research
Innovation
Assistance
The RMDC’s work falls into four general categories: Convening discussions, conducting Research, providing business Assistance, and supporting business Innovations:
In the past 4 years, the RMDC has invested in and supported work that falls into these four categories – what we’ve come to call our four pillars (or Mya calls our north stars). We regularly
convene discussions on specific topics and provide regular updatec to our advisory board (CONVENE) (image is the Glass Summit last summer, which we will have our second annual this
May).
The RMDC has posted three analyses into the markets focused on specific topics, initially that focus was on paper, plastic packaging, and container glass. Our team is currently digging
into issues and data on textiles and agricultural plastics.
Our partners at Commerce, hey Kirk!, provide support to businesses. Kirk’s gonna talk here in a minute more about that and you can find more info at their website, ChooseWashingtonState.com.
It seems obvious my favorite pillar is focused on innovations since that’s what NextCycle Washington is all about and why you’re all here today. Thanks to a grant from the US EPA, we
were able to take over NCWA from King Co and continue to support this accelerator work. Connections, outreach but nextcycle is where we’ve built a true community of innovators.
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Advisory Board:
14-members from public, private, academic and non-profit agencies. Provides guidance to explore state policies and market development activities.
Recyclable Commodities Stakeholder Engagement:
Glass Packaging Summits – 2023 & 2024
Textile Series (Spring 2025)
Attend City/County Meetings
Committee Chairs
Facility Tours
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Convening
The RMDC hosts a quarterly Advisory Board meeting where we provide updates and host expert presentations on topics like recycling of plastics or textiles – anyone is welcome to join,
meeting details go out in an email newsletter.
We’ve also hosted a few topic specific events, specifically on recycling challenges for glass containers in eastern Washington
We are in the planning stages for a series of webinars on textiles for this fall or next spring.
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Innovation
Established in 2023
Offers a 6-month training (accelerator) for innovators focused on waste prevention, repair, reuse, recycling
Currently in the second round of accelerator team training
www.nextcyclewashington.com
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Commodity Research
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Glass
Plastic
Paper
Textiles
Ag Plastic
Mattresses
RESEARCH
The RCMD team also dives into materials specifics and writes up an analysis of markets in our state –
we have research papers posted on recycling of paper, glass, and plastic packaging.
We are currently digging into information on textiles and agricultural plastics.
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Business Assistance
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Choose Washington State - Washington State - Where the Next Big Thing Begins
ASSITANCE
Our partners at Commerce provide assistance, support, and tools to help businesses.
Their website is at ChooseWashingtonState.com
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SWAC & SWMPs
RCW 70A.205.045 (7)(c) require solid waste management plans to include “a description of markets for recyclables”:
(7)(c) Recycling strategies, including a description of markets for recyclables, a review of waste generation trends, a description of waste composition, a discussion and description
of existing programs and any additional programs needed to assist public and private sector recycling, and an implementation schedule for the designation of specific materials to be
collected for recycling, and for the provision of recycling collection services.
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Putting it all together
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Join our Mailing List
Attend a Quarterly Board Meeting
NextCycle: LinkedIn
Department of Ecology Social Media Channels
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Let’s Stay Connected!
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Thank you!
megan.davis@ecy.wa.gov
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