ISRI2024 recap: Recycling industry remains sustainable, resilient, and essential

This year's ISRI convention was the largest to date, with a sold-out exhibit hall and 6,794 attendees, marking a significant milestone in the recycling industry and bringing together a diverse mix of professionals, leaders, and innovators. Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas provided a vibrant setting for networking, and the event showcased a range of discussions and educational sessions that explored themes and insights crucial for the further growth and development of the industry. Here are some of the key highlights and takeaways from ISRI2024.

Diversifying the workforce

Cultivating an inclusive and diverse workplace culture was a common theme throughout the event, with sessions like Fishing in Other Ponds: Creative Workforce Solutions exploring strategies for tapping into underutilized talent pools. Speakers James Emmett, Kathleen Parks, Carol DeBellis, Mark Hodgson, Kari Bliss, and Stef Murray shared their expertise on hiring individuals with disabilities, giving people with criminal records a second chance, and leveraging apprenticeship programs to expand the hiring pool.

Emmett's insights – rooted in his extensive work on disability inclusion as CEO of James Emmett & Company – highlighted the potential of integrating individuals with disabilities into the workforce. Emmett outlined actionable steps toward creating more inclusive workplaces – like reevaluating hiring requirements – while Murray's emphasis on second-chance employment and partnerships with refugee groups echoed the importance of providing opportunities for those facing barriers to employment. Notably, Murray pointed out that 75 percent of inmates are still trying to find employment one year after being released, and urged employers to open jobs up to those with a criminal history if the crime isn't related to the job.

Women in recycling

ISRI2024 celebrated the integral contributions of women leaders in the recycling industry with sessions like From Visionaries to Leaders: Breaking Barriers in the Recycled Materials Industry hosted by the Women in Recycling Council. This session was led by Antonia Biggs Fuenzalida, Nina Grimes, Mary Wardle, and Susie Burrage and celebrated the success of women who have broken barriers as leaders. The speakers outlined the industry's progress in promoting gender diversity in leadership roles, highlighted the vital role of women in driving innovation and sustainability within the sector, and discussed how the industry can maintain momentum for future generations.

The Women in Recycling Networking Reception later that night at the Border Grille brought together leaders, professionals, and advocates in the recycling industry, and provided a platform for women to network, share insights, and celebrate their achievements. The event was also well attended by men, which sent a powerful message that gender equality is a shared responsibility and that everyone has a role to play in creating a more inclusive workplace culture.

Marketing strategies

Another focal point of the convention was the evolution of marketing strategies within the recycling industry. In the session Marketing Over Branding, speakers Jennifer Betts, Stuart Kagan, and Brett Ekart emphasized the value of building connections and giving a human voice to your brand through podcasts, videos, and social media platforms. On a related note, this year's event also featured a live podcast stage where attendees were able to get a look behind the scenes as industry leaders discussed the industry's highs, lows, and everything in between.

The session's discussions on overcoming hurdles in marketing, such as cost concerns and commitment levels, provided actionable insights for industry professionals seeking to enhance their marketing strategies. Ekart emphasized the impact of word-of-mouth marketing and highlighted how a strategic approach can create a strong brand organically, while Betts suggested asking those outside of the industry to see what they find interesting about your day-to-day operations, and then build on that. The insights from the panel highlighted the importance of authentic storytelling in showcasing business values and engaging audiences effectively.

AI integration

A notable highlight was the exploration of AI integration in recycling practices. The session Artificial Intelligence in the Recycled Materials Industry delved into new uses of AI, ranging from material identification to data exploration and voice interaction. Speakers Sid Grover, Dennis Xu, Josh Singer, and Drake Hougo shed light on the potential of AI technologies in streamlining operations and enhancing customer support within the recycling industry. Some emerging uses for AI include:

Material & license plate identification: AI can be used to automatically read truck license plates at the scale and pre-fill supplier information accordingly. It can also be used for the automatic classification of materials at the scale.

Data exploration: Chat-based interactions are now being used to visualize financial data, with Hougo giving examples of prompts such as "show me my top material purchases in the last 30 days."

Voice interaction: AI phone agents are being used for night calls and to work alongside human customer service representatives during busier seasons, although not necessarily replacing humans entirely.

The final ISRI convention

This year marked the second consecutive year of the ISRI convention setting a new attendance record. The organizers' efforts in curating a comprehensive program, featuring a wide array of topics and speakers, contributed to ISRI2024's success in addressing key industry challenges and opportunities, while the event as a whole stood as a testament to the resilience of the recycling industry. From empowering diverse workforces to embracing technological advancements, the convention inspired a multifaceted approach to advancing sustainability and driving positive change. 

At the closing session of ISRI2024 – and after more than 35 years as the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries – ISRI announced that it is now the Recycled Materials Association (ReMA), making the 2024 show the last ISRI convention. ReMA 2025, however, is set to take place from May 12 to 15 in San Diego.

"From everyday items to our essential infrastructure, recycled materials power the manufacturing supply chain that makes our economy stronger, our planet more sustainable, and our lives better," said Robin Wiener, president of the Recycled Materials Association. "Our new name, the Recycled Materials Association, clearly and accurately describes who we are as an organization and who we represent."