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Mark your calendars for these exciting in-person events! More details, including registration and agendas, to follow in the coming months.

The National Recycling Coalition (NRC) Plastics Subcommittee, chaired by Jeremy Drake, is developing a new plastics policy and wants your input.

This effort supports NRC’s mission to share best practices and policies that advance sustainable materials management and a circular economy.

Please take a few minutes to complete the NRC Plastics Survey—your responses will directly inform future policy actions.

Thank you!
Jeremy Drake, Chair, NRC Plastics Subcommittee

Strategic Materials, Inc. (SMI) is North America's largest and most comprehensive glass recycler, with a rich history dating back to 1896. Now part of Sibelco, SMI operates numerous facilities across the continent, including processing plants in Illinois, where it plays a vital role in transforming post-consumer glass into high-quality cullet for new containers, fiberglass, and other products.

In Illinois, SMI supports local municipalities, MRFs, and redemption programs by providing reliable outlets for recycled glass, helping divert millions of pounds from landfills annually while reducing energy use and emissions in glass manufacturing.

Learn more: StrategicMaterials.com | Sibelco Glass Recycling

President's Message

Clair Ryan

President, Illinois Recycling Foundation

Dear IRF Members and Friends,

As 2025 draws to a close, I'm grateful for all that we've achieved together this year. We were very proud to co-host a very successful Illinois Circularity Conference with two other waste and recycling organizations in Illinois. The joint conference is very likely to return in a future year. In the meantime, we have our 2026 IRF Conference date on the calendar – please mark you calendar for August 19 & 20 in Tinley Park. This location will enable some very exciting field trips to sites on the forefront of recycling collection and processing in Northeastern IL.

I’m very proud of initiatives that have been advanced by my fellow Board members, including our member appreciation certificates and the transition of membership from calendar year to rolling. We are seeing success with our new approach to membership already. I’m thankful to everyone on the Board and for our Executive Director, Nathan, for helping make IRF a more vibrant and vital organization.

It has been wonderful seeing policy initiatives spearheaded by our members come to fruition. Marta Keane, former IRF President and winner of this year’s Steve Apotheker award, led the effort to develop paint legislation and the program is finally here! Robust battery recycling is coming next in January, and IRF will be hosting a conversation about the battery program in Bloomington in tandem with the annual CERA meeting at the end of January.

Wishing you a joyful, restful holiday season filled with sustainable celebrations. Here's to a greener 2026!

Best regards,
Clair Ryan

Illinois' new architectural paint stewardship program, managed by PaintCare, launched on December 1 and is now fully operational. Residents and businesses can recycle leftover paint, stain, and varnish for free at over 250 participating sites statewide, including paint retailers and local government facilities.

The program, funded by a small fee on new paint sales, aims to recover hundreds of thousands of gallons annually. Find your nearest drop-off location at paintcare.org.

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