NEWS & EVENTS
Postcard Parties
Ongoing
Until further notice we will be doing our postcard writing virtually. Each week's Postcard Sheet will be available on the Postcard Page.
Whenever it is again safe to do so we will be meeting every Friday for Postcard Parties anytime between 4:30 to 6:00 at Oklawaha Brewing Company, 147 1st Ave. E, Hendersonville, NC..
Informed Progressive
December
On Wednesday, December 9, we held a virtual Informed Progressive meeting featuring Will Sagar, Executive Director of the Southeast Recycling Development Council. His topic was “Recycling in the Age of Covid”.
Will discussed the continuing demand for recycled materials and disputed media accounts indicating that the US recycling industry is struggling to figure out a future without China. Regarding the recent developments with China and the US recycling markets, he stated that exports represent only 30% of all recycled materials and that China was half of that (15% of all recycled materials). The remaining 70% is recycled domestically.
He stated that there remains considerable demand for recycled items and that just in the southeast there are currently 360 manufacturers, 98,000 employees and $40,000,000,000 in annual sales associated with recycling.
Will explained that the recycling value chain flow from consumption/use to consumer recycling and then to the manufacturer. He explained that during the pandemic commercial recycling is down with less fiber and residential recycling is up with more containers.
He explained that in this time of economic down turn caused by the pandemic, some recycling programs are being curtailed or suspended to cut costs. Will suggested that as an advocacy group, we should contact our elected officials to dispel the myth that recycling is a burdensome government regulation and should be discarded in times of financial strain (such as in a pandemic). We should remind them that what started as an environmental movement is now a significant driver in our economy - that adequate markets exist and are facing material shortfalls.
Informed Progressive series
The Informed Progressive series is taking place online. See the calendar for upcoming events.
Join us as we learn. Presentations on a variety of topics will take place via Zoom normally on the second Wednesday of the month at 2:00 – 3:30. Everyone is invited!!!
See current schedule of speakers on our Calendar.
Silent Vigil For Immigration Reform
The Silent Vigil for Immigration Reform is on the third Friday of the month, in front of the Historic Courthouse. The Vigil begins at 4 pm and ends at 4:30 pm. We have signs for bring your own.
Immigration reform and releasing children from camps with or without their parents is a very important issue right now. Please join us to express your support for compassionate immigration reform.
