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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Staff

KARIN SIEG

Executive Director

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

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

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

Karin’s other passions include pencil drawing, playing guitar, and traveling with her husband and dog.

SUSAN SCHULLER

Program Director

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 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.

MICHELLE NIEUWENHUIS

Program Director

B.A. in English and Theatre from UW-Stevens Point. Michelle is new to the waste management industry, but looking forward to furthering her education by being a part of Recycling Connections.

In her spare time, Michelle enjoys tending to her houseplants, gardening, and spending time with her three cats.

KELLY ADLINGTON

Project Specialist

B.S. Waste Management (UW-Stevens Point). Kelly has been working for Recycling Connections in various capacities since 2015, and brings her diverse level of skills and experiences to the organization. Currently her part-time work is focused with RC’s planning and coordination of the annual Wisconsin Integrated Resource Management Conference.

In addition to her role with RC, Kelly is also a co-owner of Bucket Ruckus that collects organics curbside from homes and businesses in the Stevens Point area. Their goal is to keep this material out of the conventional waste stream so that it can be locally composted instead.

MAKAYLA GALECKI

Zero Waste Coordinator

MaKayla is a junior at UW-Stevens Point, studying Waste Management Resources. She is helping Recycling Connections with their Near Zero Waste Event Planning, and is excited to get a jump-start in her solid waste career!

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

News & Highlights

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.

News&Highlights

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.