Webinar: Funding Recycling Infrastructure via Disposal Surcharges

Lawrence Holley – Manager, Division of Waste Minimization and Planning, Bureau of Waste Management (Pennsylvania DEP)

Larry has been with the Department since 1988.  His 32 years with the Department of the Environmental Protection (DEP), have been spent in various divisions of the waste program.  Larry spent 2 years in hazardous waste reporting, 1 year in the remediation program, 3 years in recycling, 3 years in the Assistant Directors Office and the past 24 years in his current position.  Larry is responsible for the management and administration of the Commonwealth’s recycling, e-waste recycling, waste planning and recycling market programs with an annual budget of $43 million. These programs provide financial assistance to municipalities and counties to support the recycling and planning program. His division also houses the Recycling Market Section, which was created specifically to provide information and technical assistance in the area of marketing recyclables and implementing the Commonwealth’s electronic recycling programs. Larry received his Bachelor’s degree from West Virginia University in biology with a minor in chemistry.

Jennifer Semrau – Waste Reduction and Diversion Coordinator (Wisconsin DNR)

Jennifer Semrau has served as the Waste Reduction and Diversion Coordinator for the WI Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) since 2016. Prior to joining the WDNR, Jennifer worked as the Recycling Specialist for Winnebago County Solid Waste for 17 years. Jennifer serves on the Board of Directors for the Associated Recyclers of Wisconsin and the Product Stewardship Institute and holds a degree in Environmental Policy from the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay.

Laurie Rasmus – Program Planner 3, Financial and Business Assistance Section of the Land Quality Bureau (Iowa DNR)

Laurie Rasmus is a Program Planner 3 in the Financial and Business Assistance section of the Land Quality Bureau in the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. For the past two years, Laurie has served as lead programmer for the Iowa Solid Waste Comprehensive Planning and Environmental Management System programs. Previously, Laurie was the director of Macon County Environmental Management – a solid waste agency in central Illinois where she served for 11 years. Laurie earned a M.S. in Parks Administration from Western Illinois University.

Wendy Worley – Section Chief, Recycling and Materials Management Section (North Carolina DEQ)

Wendy Worley is the Manager of North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s (NC DEQ) Recycling and Materials Management Section. In this role, Wendy leads the state’s recycling section overseeing non-regulatory assistance programs for local governments and recycling businesses. She previously served as NC’s Recycling Business Assistance Center (RBAC) Manager, leading the recycling economic development team to develop strategies to expand and support private sector recycling capacity in the state. With more than 28 years of experience in recycling and solid waste management, Wendy has been with the state government for the past 18 years. 

Marie Barnett – Grants Administrator, Division of Environmental and Financial Assistance, Recycling and Sustainability Unit (Ohio EPA)

Marie has been the Grants Administrator for the Recycle Ohio Grant Program with Ohio EPA since July 2015. Her current duties include providing and assisting academic institutions, communities, local governments, non-profits, solid waste management districts and Ohio businesses with recycling and litter funding opportunities through the Recycle Ohio Grant. As grants administrator, she and the Recycling and Sustainability Unit award $4 million a year in funding that supports recycling and litter prevention efforts and programs in Ohio. During her 25+ years with Ohio EPA, Marie has also worked as an Administrative Assistant in the Office of Environmental Education and Division of Service Water.

Dave Foulkes – Environmental Specialist 3, Division of Environmental and Financial Assistance, Recycling and Sustainability Unit (Ohio EPA)

Dave has been an environmental specialist with Ohio EPA since December 1998. His duties include providing sustainable business and pollution prevention technical assistance to Ohio manufacturers, businesses and others. As part of the Recycling and Sustainability Unit, Dave assists the unit that provides competitive grants opportunities for communities, local governments, businesses and non-profit organizations to establish and implement recycling, recycling market development, litter prevention and scrap tire recycling programs. Dave received his Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Science from The Ohio State University in 1997.

Sophia Jones – Policy Fellow, Institute for Local Self-Reliance

Sophia Jones is a Policy Fellow with ILSR’s Composting for Community initiative, where she researches, analyzes and supports the building of US policy that advances local composting and waste reduction. She will present highlights of 8 state programs and 2 county programs that fund waste diversion via disposal surcharges. Sophia has previously worked on sustainable development and agriculture projects with Barbados’ National Conservation Commission, Plant NOVA Natives, and the United Nations DESA. She received her B.A. from McGill University in Environment and Development Studies and also has an introductory certificate in Permaculture.

Moderator: Brenda Platt – Director of the Composting for Community Initiative, Institute for Local Self-Reliance

Brenda Platt directs ILSR’s Composting for Community project, which is advancing local composting in order to create jobs, enhance soils, sequester carbon, reduce waste, and build healthy communities. She has worked 35 years fighting trash burners and promoting a zero waste economy. She is nationally known for her research documenting jobs through reuse, recycling, and composting.