ABOUT US | RecyclingConnections

aboutus

Established in 1981, Recycling Connections is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit supported through service contracts, grants, product sales, and donations for waste reduction, recycling, and resource conservation.

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KARIN SIEG

Executive Director

B.S. Forestry, UW-Stevens Point. An environmental educator for over 30 years, Karin has worked at youth camps, a nature center and volunteered in her community. Most her career, she has worked or volunteered with Recycling Connection, gaining extensive knowledge in recycling, solid waste, and nonprofit management.

Karin often serves on numerous state and local committees related to recycling and organics management, and currently is a member of the WI Department of Natural Resources' Waste & Materials Management Study Group. She completed the Midwest Compost School and is a Master Composter. She served as adjunct faculty in waste management at UW-Stevens Point (2012-13) and continues as a guest lecturer and mentor to students.

Karin received the 2015 Christy Dixon Recycler of the Year Award from Associated Recyclers of Wisconsin.

Karin’s other passions are pencil drawing and volunteering on the CREATE Portage County board of directors.

SUSAN SCHULLER

Development, Education, & Outreach Coordinator

M.S. Natural Resources-Environmental Education, B.S. Biology/Chemistry from UW-Stevens Point. Certified TRUE Zero Waste Advisor. Susan has nearly two decades of experience providing professional development in environmental education including numerous courses, workshops, and presentations. Susan is an ad hoc instructor with the WI K-12 Energy Education Program at UW-SP.

Susan has served on several boards and committees to advance environmental issues related to green schools, bird conservation, and environmental education.

Susan is passionate of connecting communities to their resources to help build a more sustainable and healthy world. Served Peace Corps Tanzania 98-00. In her free time, Susan enjoys hiking, gardening, kayaking, and biking with her husband and two children.

ANGIE LEMAR

Project Coordinator

B.S. Soils & Waste Resources with an emphasis in Solid Waste Management from UW-Stevens Point. Certified Master Composter and a Midwest Compost School graduate. Angie has been working in the composting and solid waste field for over 20 years. Developing and implementing programs, leading workshops, creating educational materials, and helping people to understand their connection to the waste they generate.

Angie helped start a community curbside compost collection program at Growing For Good in Viroqua, WI. She also continues to develop compost systems for schools and other private small scale compost programs.

Angie is proud to be the 2020 recipient of the Christy Dixon Recycler of the Year Award from AROW.

When Angie isn't focusing on composting, recycling or solid waste you can find her adventuring, often near the water, with her husband and two daughters.

NEWS

&

HIGHLIGHTS

See what we've been up to around the community! (newest to oldest)

WAOW Channel 9: Compost your pumpkins - don't throw them in the trash! - November 2021
Turning 40 - A Year of Celebrations BLOG POST - August 2021
MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL covers composting in their ARTICLE "Everything you need to know about composting, from bins to benefits" and Recycling Connections staff are there to answer some of the questions. - August 2021
Recycling Education Kiosk in the Park NEWS RELEASE - June 2021
WAOW Channel 9 Covers the Kiosk in the Park - June 2021
WSAW Channel 7 Covers Recycling Bale Maze at UWSP - April 2021
AROW OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN WASTE REDUCTION AND RECYCLING AWARD - February 2021
- This award is given to an individual or group that has excelled with their overall activities, or a specific project, supporting waste reduction, sustainability, recycling, and/or organics management.
Recycling Connections 40th Anniversary Celebration NEWS RELEASE - January 2021
CERTIFICATE OF COMMENDATION FROM WI GOVERNOR EVERS - January 2021
- On January 29th we officially received our Commendation from Gov. Evers. On April 22nd Rep. Shankland presented it to us in person at the UWSP Sundial. Click here to view the official document.
WI DNR RECYCLING EXCELLENCE AWARD - November 2020
- WI DNR Awarded the CWRC with the 2020 Recycling Excellence Award in the category of Projects and Initiatives for this partnership program between Portage County Solid Waste, Marathon County Solid Waste Department, & Recycling Connections.

History

In 1981 member groups such as the League of Women Voters, Stevens Point Area Co-op, CAP Services, Izaak Walton League, and local service clubs such as boy scout troops and University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point environmental groups all came together to form a cooperative. These groups conducted curbside collection programs throughout the City of Stevens Point, as well as helped maintain drop-offs in Stevens Point, Plover, Whiting, Amherst, and Rosholt in the early years. Items collected included aluminum, glass, mixed papers, cardboard, plastics, used motor oil, and vehicle batteries.

In 1983 the organization became a 501(c)(3) nonprofit under the name Intra-State Recycling Corporation (ISRC) and hired its first part-time staff person. Initially all labor was completed manually, however in 1986 equipment became part of the operations. The organization discontinued all curbside collections in 1989, but continued processing recyclables under a contract with the Portage County Solid Waste Management Board. In 1992 they discontinued processing as well, as Portage County began plans for building and operating their own Material Recovery Facility, which is now located in Plover, WI.

After 1992, ISRC’s focus changed to education and programming and with a broader message that included waste reduction and composting. The organization also began working with other municipalities, organizations, and state agencies on a wide variety of solid waste management related projects. In 2004 the organization was renamed, this time to Recycling Connections Corporation, to better reflect the mission, programs, and services.

In 2016 we celebrated 35 years as an organization. Click here to learn more about how we celebrated.