MISSOURI RECYCLING ASSOCIATION

​MORA Mission Statement:
To lead Missouri toward environmental sustainability through waste reduction and recycling. 

MORA provides value by connecting people, offering industry insights, and influencing policy to support our economy and business in extracting the highest and best use of materials at end of life. ​

MORA is a forum for sharing information to assist with reducing demand on natural resources and developing waste reduction and diversion methods for the health and safety of all Missourians.

Together we can create a greener future for our state and set an example for others to follow. 
Missouri Solid Waste Districts https://dnr.mo.gov/waste-recycling/reduce-reuse-recycle
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
November - December:
  Holiday Recycling suggestions at this link. 

Grant Opportunity from Missouri State Parks.

The Missouri Department of Natural Resources’ Division of State Parks is now accepting applications for the seventh round of the Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership Program.  For 2024, a total of $224 million nationwide is available for outdoor recreation projects.

Eligible applicants include other state agencies and local governments, such as cities and counties. Also included are special purpose districts, such as park districts, located within or abutting a city with a population of at least 30,000 residents and located within a community that has been determined to be disadvantaged according to the federal Climate and Environmental Justice Screening Tool.

​The maximum project request amount is $15 million and the minimum request $300,000. The deadline to submit a project application for this round is Feb. 16, 2024.

For more information follow the link below.    
https://mostateparks.com/page/55065/ outdoor-recreation-grants

​Recycling Contamination Brochure Templates
MORA's Printable Recycling & Contamination Brochure - Click here!
Example: City of Waynesville's Contamination Brochure - Click here!
Targeted Material Resource Guides
Strive for 75% commodities lists below
Excel spreadsheets listing locations to recycle the following commodities
are now available to view on the Strive for 75% tab on the above main menu. Or you may link directly through the buttons below.  
​This information was current as of 2015. ​
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Spread the Word!
Help Missouri Set A New 75% Waste Diversion Goal!
​JOIN US AS WE MOVE TOWARD EXPANDING OUR ECONOMY
Zero Waste Connection - Click the button to join an online zero waste community. 
COVID19 INFORMATION & RESOURCES
Help Us Continue Our Mission
Make a tax-deductible donation today
                          Ways to Give
  • Donate easily and securely through pay-pal. Or you can simply mail a check to:  
        Missouri Recycling Association, 
        P.O. Box 2144,                    
        Jefferson City, MO  65102
  • Gift of Giving - skip the wrapping and contact MORA about giving a gift in someone's name. We'll send them a beautiful recycled card acknowledging your gift. ​
  • IN-KIND - Contact MORA as we can always use office supplies/equipment and VOLUNTEER help!

Thank you to everyone for your contributions to your communities, and to this organization!
 - MORA Board of Directors

Missouri 20 year progress report on recycling!​​​

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Recycling and reuse are real economic generators for our state.   In 2012, Missouri exports of waste and  scrap totaled $451 million.   A conservative estimate  is that more than 25,000 jobs are related directly to recycling activities in Missouri.  There is tremendous growth potential if we raise our state recycling goal from 40% to 75%, which is more in line with US trends. A national study by the Institute of Local Self-Reliance calculated that every 10,000 tons of additional waste diverted from landfills can create 10 recycling jobs or 75 materials reuse jobs. 

Find out how recycling is already strengthening the economy, communities and environment across Missouri in this new report that highlights how far we have come in the 20 years since the solid waste fund was implemented.  Download the report by clicking on the image above.  

Missouri Recycling Guide  
4th Edition
Download copy available below

PictureClick on Map to Download Recycling Guide
The Missouri Recycling Guide is MORA's central education piece to illustrate statewide efforts to reduce waste and increase recycling.  The 2015 update takes you on the road to Strive for 75%.
Each page is a mile maker, starting with the history of recycling in Missouri and ending with the ultimate resource, the "Drive for 75 Dictionary".  From A to Z, the dictionary lists terms, facts and informational links to serve as a roadmap to achieve MORA's 75% Waste Diversion Goal.
Help us spread the word about this resource in your newsletters, websites and social media outlets.   Printed copies are available by contacting angie@mora.org.

MORA thanks the St. Louis-Jefferson Solid Waste Management District, Region M Solid Waste Management District and the Missouri Department of Natural Resources for providing the funding to make the 2015 update possible. 
2015 MORA Recycling Guide.pdf
File Size: 9855 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File
A few articles about the January 11 finalization of China’s National Sword policy. 
   -   ISRI article, 1/11/18 
   -   SWANA.ORG/NEWS
   -   WasteRecycling.Org/blog/1.11.18
​Recycling Partnership National Sword Information 
Hearing Doubts About Recycling? Read this for reassurance.
There's a lot of talk right now about these 'overwhelming challenges' to the recycling system - you've heard it, right? Rest assured, we've got your back. In her latest blog post, Partnership CEO Keefe Harrison reminds readers how 'communities, commmodities and corporations are investing in recycling systems around the country."
​Click here to read the full article.
Harmonized Recycling...
Imagine trying to take a train, subway or bus system across a city where the signage, names and colors of the routes are inconsistent. It would be difficult. But that’s how many communities approach recycling education. 
Click here to read the full article.
Tips to Protect your Program from National Sword
Our mid-October webinar offered our six-point plan on how to shield your program from National Sword, the umbrella term used to describe the various China-related export issues. We’ve also got a deep-dive into paper and plastics markets from industry experts and an open discussion on impacts and actions with four different regional MRFs from across the U.S.

A recording of the webinar is available here, the presentations are available here, and the tools needed to clean up your stream (the #1 way to combat market issues) are available here.
​Tools: Kits to Fight Contamination
We continued our statewide work in Massachusetts, fighting contamination in six more communities and training Bay State staffers to deploy our approach for years to come. Together with the Massachusetts Department for Environmental Protection, we created the Recycling IQ Kit. Here’s one for curbside recycling communities, and another for communities with drop-off programs. 
Join MORA and have access to all MORA benefits. 
MORA 2023 AND 2024
CONFERENCES
2023 Conference photos will link to this space soon. 
CURRENT NEWS

MORA members attending Governor Parson's proclamation ceremony that November was "officially" Recycling Awareness Month!!

Governor Parson's presented the 2023 Recycling Champion Award to Dixie Wilde from the Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development.                                   Congratulations Dixie!!!
INFORMATION

              HAZWOPER TRAINING -              40 HOUR COURSE
January 8-12, 2024
Roaring River/Bennett Springs Conference Rm,   1730 E Elm St., Jefferson City, MO 65101
Registration fee per registrant is $250; $100 for full-time
          students. Class is limited to the first 50 participants.                            A waiting list will be available in the event of cancellations.  Students will receive a training manual online, and at the conclusion of the course, they will receive validation certificates.

Recycling Program Solutions Hub developed by the
Recycling Partnership.  Link here
     A new free resource for local Recycling Staff  and        Leaders.  Check out this interactive tool and resource created for local recycling staff nationwide. 

Pharmaceutical Resources
Courtesy of the Mo. Product Stewardship Council
​​
Take-Back and Safe Disposal Locations in Missouri
Click here to view the map!
Click here for other resources!
Market Development Workshop Series
 (Plastics)​
Recording - Slides - Other Resources
(Purchasing)
Recording - Slides - Other Resources

News & Updates

Fantastic Resource from The Recycling Partnership:
'With 45% of Americans without access to curbside recycling, your community’s drop-off recycling program is vital to filling gaps in recycling access. Now, The Recycling Partnership’s Drop-Off Recycling Contamination Reduction Kit leverages the nationally acclaimed anti-contamination tools and resources, detailing a step-by step guide for communities just like yours to easily replicate the program.'
Click here!
Webinar from ILSR:
Funding Recycling Infrastructure via Disposal Surcharges
Click here to view the recording!
Articles of Interest:
> Resource Recycling
Federal program pumped nearly $1.2B into recycling companies.
Click here to read the full article!

> SWANA Encouraged by Senate’s Continued Focus on Recycling
"SWANA is encouraged that the U.S. Senate’s Committee of the Environment and Public Works (EPW) is holding a hearing today on proposals to improve domestic recycling and composting programs. This marks the first congressional hearing focused on recycling in 2022."
Click here to read the full article!
Composting Resources: 
HHW Resources:
New information on end-of-life management of lithium-ion & other batteries:
EPA's new webpages cover household batteries of all types and a lithium-ion battery specific page, as well as frequent questions on lithium-ion batteries. These resources contain information on the safe disposal and recycling of lithium-ion batteries for consumers, businesses, workers, and transporters, and management recommendations for single use, rechargeable, and automotive batteries that may be found in the home.
To view the used household batteries webpage, visit https://www.epa.gov/recycle/used-household-batteries.
To view the used lithium-ion batteries webpage, visit https://www.epa.gov/recycle/used-lithium-ion-batteries.
To view the lithium-ion battery frequent questions, visit https://www.epa.gov/recycle/frequent-questions-lithium-ion-batteries.
The Recycling Partnership's 2020 State of Curbside Recycling Report - Now Available!
Click here!
Food Waste Resources:
Below are some resource materials from the fantastic webinar - Teaching Practical Strategies for Reducing Wasted Food Through Community Events - courtesy of NEWMOA & NERC!
Plastic Wars - Frontline/PBS
With the plastic industry expanding like never before and the crisis of ocean pollution growing, FRONTLINE and NPR investigate the fight over the future of plastics. 
Click here!
The US Recycling System Is Garbage by Edward Humes
"For nearly three decades your recycling bin contained a dirty secret: Half the plastic and much of the paper you put into it did not go to your local recycling center..."

Click here to read the full article!
​Planned National Emphasis Areas Announced for FY20-21 P2 Grant Program:
EPA has published the planned National Emphasis Areas (NEAs) for the anticipated FY20-21 Pollution Prevention grant program on the following webpages. 
​
https://www.epa.gov/p2
https://www.epa.gov/p2/p2-national-emphasis-areas-neas 

Please direct immediate questions to Dan Helfgott (helfgott.daniel@epa.gov). EPA also plans to hold a webinar after the final RFA is published, which will provide an additional forum for questions.
Renaissance Portraits Made with Used Packing Materials
Suzanne Jongmans creates Renaissance-style portraits that have an unusual twist: look a little more closely and you’ll notice that each of her costumes was made using used packing materials such as styrofoam and bubble wrap.

After creating the bonnets, collars, and dresses, Jongmans poses and lights her subjects who wear the outfits in the style of old master paintings.

​To view the portraits, click here.

​The Missouri Recycling Association

We understand that recycling means many things to many people.  You may represent a large corporation or an elementary school. You may want to know where to take cans and bottles in your community, or how to set up a full scale company-wide recycling program!  That's why our site is categorized by sector. No matter what your recycling goals may be, we are here to help you reach them!

Discover solutions to your specific needs by clicking on your sector below:
Zero Waste    - Post-Landfill Action Network, Resource Center is launched
The Resource Center is a collaborative platform to discuss projects, upload documents and share your ideas for the Zero Waste Movement.  Check it out!  View: http://www.postlandfill.org/resource-center/

Find us On Facebook and Twitter
#RecycleMO

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