By Emily Reuben, Press Secretary—
MUNCIE, IN– State Rep. Sue Errington (D-Muncie) will host an environmental roundtable on Oct. 22 at the Muncie Public Library, Maring-Hunt Branch (2005 S High St, Muncie, IN 47302) from 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. The roundtable will focus on creating systems to move beyond traditional recycling methods to embrace a circular economic approach, where products and materials are kept in continuous motion to minimize waste.
Participants will include Director of Circular Indiana Pam Francis; Circular Indiana Board Member Kenneth Miller; Ball State Associate Professor of Natural Resources and Environmental Management Dr. Joshua Gruver; Recycling Club Sponsor and Japanese teacher at Muncie Central High School Allen Kidd, and Muncie Sanitary District Superintendent of Sanitation and Recycling Jason Donati.
Key topics will include:
- The importance of reducing and reusing materials before turning to recycling, as recycling often signals a loss of value.
- Encouraging businesses to take greater responsibility for the lifecycle of their products, with discussions around legislation that incentivizes waste reduction and lower emissions.
- The environmental and human health impacts of Indiana’s growing landfills and the pressing need to reduce the state’s per capita landfill waste.
- Social equity concerns related to waste management, particularly in developing countries and regions disproportionately affected by environmental issues.
- A historical perspective on how circular economic principles align with pre-Industrial Revolution practices.
WHO: State Rep. Sue Errington; Director of Circular Indiana Pam Francis; Circular Indiana Board Member Kenneth Miller; Ball State Associate Professor of Natural Resources and Environmental Management Dr. Joshua Gruver; Recycling Club Sponsor and Japanese teacher at Muncie Central High School Allen Kidd; and Muncie Sanitary District Superintendent of Sanitation and Recycling Jason Donati.
WHAT: A roundtable discussion regarding environmental concerns in Indiana and how investing into the circular economy can alleviate the negative impacts caused by overconsumption, waste and pollution.
WHERE: Muncie Public Library, Maring-Hunt Branch (2005 S High St, Muncie, IN 47302) Meeting Room.
WHEN: Oct. 22 from 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.