New Recycling Org. Launches, KAB/NRC Merger Pending

With the proposed merger of the National Recycling Coalition (NRC) and Keep America Beautiful (KAB) still pending, a new national recycling organization announced its arrival on Monday.

Recycling Organizations of North America (RONA) announced its formation the day before NRC members were to discuss the proposed merger at the California Resource Recovery Association meeting in Rancho Mirage, Calif. on Tuesday. RONA filed paperwork of incorporation in Colorado to create the non-profit organization, which aims to have a large “umbrella” over the recycling industry in the U.S. and Canada.

Some NRC programs, like America Recycles Day, would be incorporated into Keep America Beautiful, 'the nation's largest volunteer-based community action and education organization working to engage individuals in their community environments.' Photo: nrc-recycle.org

The new organization is being formed by two of NRC’s Recycling Organization Council members and Marjorie Griek, executive director of the Colorado Association for Recycling.

Checking in on the merger of NRC and KAB, several NRC board members have urged the estimated 4,500 members to vote against the proposed merger. The Save the NRC Coalition has formed as a result, consisting of more than 50 influential NRC members who oppose the merger, believing the two organizations have different missions and agendas.

Under the current merger plans, filed in June, KAB would obtain NRC’s trademarks, rights and some of the programs. KAB would, in exchange, assume the estimated NRC debt of approximately $500,000, form an NRC advisory council and allocate seats on its board of directors for council-recommended appointees.

NRC members are expected to vote on the merger between Aug. 10 and 26. A two-thirds majority is required for the merger with KAB to be approved. Five state recycling organizations recently endorsed the proposed merger: the Arizona Recycling Coalition, the Georgia Recycling Coalition, the Indiana Recycling Coalition, Professional Recyclers of Pennsylvania and the Texas Alliance for Recycling. The College and University Recycling Council has also recently announced their endorsement of the merger.