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On Wednesday, March 14th over 50 people gathered in person and even more online to celebrate NRRA's Senior Member Services Representative, Bonnie Bethune, who is retiring in early April after nearly 22 years at NRRA and a lifetime in the recycling industry.
According to Bonnie, it all began April 22, 1970: an Earth Day, where 11 year old Bonnie did her first road cleanup with her family on the roadside in Chester, NH. As Bonnie said, she was lucky enough to have two careers. The first outside, working at the Wilton and New Boston Recycling Centers; the second in the office at NRRA.
Bonnie has accomplished and contributed so much. Throughout her career, she has received a variety of accolades, awards, and honors. She is certified as a Senior Principal Operator through the NH DES Solid Waste Facility Operator Training and Certificate Program. In 1990, Bonnie received...Read more
In late January, NRRA's executive director, Reagan Bissonnette, was able to participate in Kendal at Hanover's “Are Plastics Forever?” week. Reagan presented "The State of Recycling in New Hampshire and the Northeast."
An active group of residents at Kendal, a retirement community, created the nonprofit SSAFE - Senior Stewards Acting for the Climate. The Kendal at Hanover's chapter includes a plastics group, which planned the week of education. Throughout the week of January 27th, residents and staff explored the impact of plastics on our planet and discovered ways to create a more sustainable future. Events included a screening of "Plastic Wars" which examines the challenges of plastic waste, informational displays showcasing non-plastic alternatives, library books, and where to find sustainable products, and speakers including Reagan and Cindy Heath of the NH Network Plastic Working Group ( who will also be presenting at the upcoming Recycling...Read more
Let's start with the basics. Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS) are essentially short-term grants for community development projects. They are also sometimes referred to as "earmarks" or "community project funding." Only certain federal accounts are open for congressional directed spending requests, and only nonprofits, local, state, and tribal governments can make the requests. CDS grants are not meant to be applied for repeatedly year-over-year, but rather as a one-time supplemental funding for a project or initiative.
Congressional directed spending makes up a tiny portion of federal spending, making up only 1% of Federal discretionary spending. (Federal discretionary...Read more
Each year, NRRA tracks bills regarding solid waste and recycling throughout the legislative session on our Policy & Legislation page. As a matter of policy, NRRA d oes not take a position on any proposed legislation. However, we do occasionally provide testimony reflecting NRRA’s experience supporting municipalities with their recycling and waste reduction efforts in NH as it relates to a bill.
Recently, NRRA's executive director, Reagan Bissonnette, joined Representative Karen Ebel, in providing context for HB 451, which would establish a paint recycling program. HB 451 is supported by the NH Solid Waste Working Group (SWWG). The SWWG was formed to advise the NH Department of Environmental Services on planning for NH’s solid waste future; Reagan serves on the SWWG as NRRA’s representative.
NRRA offers many cooperative recycling programs for its municipal members, including household hazardous waste collection days. NRRA works with a vetted vendor...Read more
This year, there are several bills working their way through the New Hampshire legislature that have to do with solid waste and recycling (we are following them on our Policy & Legislation page !) And though NRRA does not take a position for or against any legislation, we do occasionally provides testimony about proposed legislation to educate elected officials about how that legislation might impact NRRA Member communities.
Last week, NRRA's executive director, Reagan Bissonnette, testified in front of the House Environment and Agriculture Committee regarding HB355, which would extend the end of the term of the NH Solid Waste Working Group, which was formed to advise the NH Department of Environmental Services (NHDES) on planning for NH’s solid waste future . NRRA has had a representative on the SWW G since its formation in 2021 .
During the time the SWWG has...Read more
At NRRA’s Annual Meeting in November 2024, Brian Patnoe, NRRA Member Services Director, shared several graphs to demonstrate trends in market pricing for paper and cardboard, plastics, and metals over the past year, with some comparisons going back as far as a decade. A picture is worth a thousand words, and these pricing charts show that despite some recent dips in market pricing, overall recycling commodity markets are either similar to or higher than a year ago.
Some of the key highlights include the following:Fibers (paper & cardboard) : Cardboard maintained its pricing over the year and paper saw an increase. Both cardboard and paper were either the same or just slightly lower than their prices...Read more
Steve starting his working career as a helicopter mechanic in the Marines serving both stateside and Okinawa Japan. He then worked 19 years in a paper mill serving in many capacities.
Prior to joining the NRRA, Steve worked at the Littleton Transfer Station since 2014. He worked his way to Lead Attendant in 2017 and then became manager in February of 2021. He was awarded the NRRA Rookie of the Year in 2021 and was awarded Recycler of the Year in 2024.
In his spare time Steve enjoys riding his Harley, fishing, hiking, and walking his 2 dogs Sammie and Luna. He resides in Bethlehem NH with his wife Pamela. The Municipal Recycling Advisor (previously...Read more
In the late 1970s at the University of New Hampshire, my work study job was at the Durham Recycling Center where I discovered my passion for recycling. The manager took me aside one day and said that I should help municipalities with recycling as that is where the greatest need was. I took that advice completely to heart. After college, I managed the Wilton New Hampshire Solid Waste District facility which housed a...Read more
NRRA staff, Board of Trustees, and voting municipal members gathered on Wednesday, November 13th in the freshly painted NRRA offices to celebrate this year's NRRA award winners, hear from a fantastic "Facility Safety" panel, and vote on the new Board of Trustees slate.
NRRA Board President, Joan Cudworth, and Board Treasurer, Mark Richardson, shared organizational and financial updates with attendees.
NRRA continues to operate at a high level, thanks to the supportive board and dedicated staff.Over the year, the board held 6 meetings of the full board and several working group meetings focused on capital improvement and salary and benefits, as well as serving on the conference planning committee. In addition, we have board members serving important roles throughout New Hampshire, including on the Solid Waste Working Group (SWWG), the NH Waste Management Council, and testifying in front of the State legislature on important topics such as...Read more
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Epsom, NH: The Northeast Resource Recovery Association (NRRA), is pleased to announce the 2024 Recycling Award winners: Steve Bean, Recycler of the Year; Alex DeCoste, Rookie of the Year; Environmental Projects Inc. (EPI), Vendor of the Year; Susanne Simon, Continuing Education Award; and Liz Bedard, Honorary Lifetime Member. Awardees will be celebrated at the upcoming NRRA Annual Meeting on November 13th.
Steve Bean, Transfer Station Manager for the Town of Littleton, NH received the highest award as Recycler of the Year. This lifetime achievement honors those who best combine the qualities of commitment, leadership, and enthusiasm in developing and sustaining an environmentally and financially sound solid waste management program. Steve has shown his commitment to recycling and waste diversion, especially in New Hampshire’s North Country, working closely with NRRA to implement diversion programs in Littleton and support smaller, neighboring towns in their waste...Read more