Mission Statement

Provide leadership and education that fosters the expansion, diversity and economic vitality of recycling as part of sustainable resource management.

History

The Washington State Recycling Association (WSRA) was formed in 1976 to support the fledgling recycling industry and to promote recycling in Washington state. WSRA is a nonprofit 501(c) (6) trade "membership" association and is one of the longest-standing state recycling associations in the country. Membership is open to all interested parties. Since 1989 and with the passage of the Waste Not Washington Act - the state's mandate for recycling - industry expansion in both the public and private sectors has paralleled WSRA's growth as one of the leading recycling association in the Nation, with over 700 members. WSRA's primary offerings include bi-monthly newsletters, quarterly workshops, annual recycling conference, Recycler of the Year awards and legislative advocacy.

About WSRA

WSRA is classified by the IRS as a 501(c)(6) tax-exempt business league (aka "trade association"), with the purpose of furthering the recycling industry. The organization may work for the enactment of laws that advance the recycling industry. Contributions to WSRA are not tax-deductible as charitable contributions, but might be deductible as business expenses. WSRA's tax status differs from some recycling organizations, which are classified as 501(c)(3) charitable organizations, but would limit the organization?s ability to influence legislation.

Our Members

The current WSRA membership can only be summed up with one word: diversity. Our members are recyclers, collectors, haulers, processors, waste management and solid waste professionals, green builders, colleges and universities, school districts, consultants, retailers, environmentalists, teachers, government administrators, janitorial firms, business people and private citizens. The bulk of our members are located in Washington State, but dozens come from Oregon, Idaho, Montana, California and beyond.

Our Board

2007-2008 Board of Directors

Directors
Diana Winburn President Washington State Recycling Association 6/07-6/09	John Caputo Vice President Allied Waste Services 6/06-6/08
Gretchen Newman Secretary Washington State Department of Ecology 6/06-6/08	Bart Kale Treasurer Nucor Steel Seattle 6/07-6/09
Scott Campbell Asst. Sec/Treas Waste Connections, Inc 6/07-6/09	Jeff Gage Swanson Bark & Wood Products, Inc. 6/06-6/08
Preston Horne-Brine Fluxion Enterprises, LLC 6/06-6/08	Amity Lumper Cascadia Consulting Group 6/06-6/08
Charlie Maxwell, Jr Harold LeMay Enterprises, Inc 6/06-6/08	Rita Smith Waste Management Pacific Northwest 6/06-6/08
Pat Kaufman Seattle Public Utilities 6/07-6/09	Susan Thoman Cedar Grove Composting 6/07-6/09
Barry C. Winburn Winburn, Barry 6/07-6/09
Staff
Dan Cantrell Executive Director Washington State Recycling Association	Diana Leland Member Services Director Washington State Recycling Association

Standing Committees:

Awards Committee
Conference Steering Committee
Conference Host Committee
Communications Committee
Special Events & Tours Committee
Fun! Committee
Legislative & Policy Committee
Membership Development Committee
Member Programs & Education Committee
Committees are comprised largely of members, are lead by a chair and supported by staff. Committees meet quarterly, monthly or bi-monthly depending upon need. The Committees are accountable to the Executive Committee. Participation on committees by members is strongly desired and encouraged.

Our Members are:

Collectors, processors and brokers of recyclable materials
Manufacturers of recycled products
Green Builders
Product and equipment vendors
Trucking and transportation providers
Electronics Recyclers
Businesses, universities and college campuses with recycling programs
Local, state, federal and tribal government agencies
Reuse stores and programs
Nonprofit groups
Consultants
Individuals
Environmentalists
Other service providers to the industry