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Every ReMA member works and lives in a local county and is subject to the laws of a governing body that most often goes unnoticed until there is a problem.  This branch of government exists everywhere even though it may be called by a different name.  Some states may call it a borough or parish, for example, but this fact is one thing that we all have in common.  While some may also be located in a city, township, or other incorporated local government jurisdiction, every one resides in a county and is subject to the rules and regulations of the county government.

Traditionally, counties performed state-mandated duties, which included assessment of property, record keeping (e.g., property and vital statistics), maintenance of rural roads, administration of election and judicial functions, and poor relief. Today, however, counties rapidly are moving into other areas, undertaking programs relating to child welfare, consumer protection, economic development, employment/training, planning and zoning, and water quality, to name just a few.

In the United States, there are 3,069 counties, which vary greatly in size and population. They range in area from 26 square miles (Arlington County, Va.) to 87,860 square miles (North Slope Borough, Alaska). The population of counties varies from Loving County, Texas, with 71 residents, to Los Angeles County, California, which is home to 9.2 million people.  In addition, there are 40 city-county governments in which cities have consolidated government functions with surrounding counties.  Counties with populations under 50,000 accounted for about 70 percent of all county governments in 2009.

County Government Matters

County governments provide the essential services to create healthy, vibrant and resilient communities. People depend on counties to provide services that build, maintain and protect their homes, schools, and neighborhoods.  Unfortunately, due to a lack of understanding, too often we see that local laws and regulations that impede the industry’s ability to conduct recycling operations.  For instance, local governments often designate scrap materials as waste, and this can have the unintended consequence of making recycling more difficult for individuals and businesses.

Frequently, ReMA members have reported facing the threat of local ordinances that could not only impact business but potentially cause their doors to close because the laws would effectively shutter their operations.  Local land use governance is a perfect example of how county government can do more harm than federal or state government.  Zoning matters are all within the purview of local government.  Metals theft is also a crude example of how local government can make or break a recycling operation with little or no input at all from the recyclers in that jurisdiction.  If you are not involved with your local county government, it won’t know who you are or what you do for the community and so you are at the mercy of others.  The bottom line is that county government matters – moreso sometimes than state or even federal government.

ISRI Partnership with County Governments

In light of the increasing role and significance county government has on daily business operations, ReMA National is partnering this year with the National Association of Counties (NACo) in an effort to assist ReMA members at the local level of government with promoting the recycling industry and educating county executives on many of our industry’s issues such as scrap is not waste and recycling is not disposal.  NACo is the only national organization that represents county governments in the United States.  It promotes sound public policies, fosters county solutions and innovation, promotes intergovernmental and public-private collaboration and provides value-added services to save counties and taxpayers money.  

As a component of this partnership, ReMA has access to numerous avenues for spreading our message, including the NACo magazine, website, and web conference/blogs that are distributed to all 3,000+ counties nationwide.  ReMA needs to take advantage of this opportunity, but to do so ReMA needs you to report on your local success stories.

Share Your Story

In 2015, NACO is dedicating a section of its County News publication to showcase public and private partnerships. This section will be called “Solutions Spotlight” - Effective Public & Private Sector Partnerships. It will highlight a county’s challenge/opportunity, solution implemented, and results/takeaways. The County News publication online and print versions reaches over 40,000 county officials and staff nationwide.

ISRI members take pride in their communities and often participate in local events designed to help their neighbors.  While ReMA members often face the blame game as local communities attempt to address social problems such as theft or nuisance and are forced to alter operations, there are many who continue to pave the path to community solutions that bring about positive outcomes for everyone.  It is these stories ReMA wants the world to hear.  ReMA members are part of the solution!

It is time for the recycling industry to showcase its contributions to the environment and economy to local county governments and our communities.   The ISRI-NACo partnership has created the perfect opportunity and communications vehicle to make to share the industry’s proud story and heritage.

Your submission needs to no more than 400 words, and ReMA staff can assist with finalizing the write-up for submission if you request.  NACo prefers more recent stories, but please still send us your story even if it is a few years old.

Information Needed

County name (county logo if you can get one)

Problem county was facing/ Opportunity

Solution implemented

Results/Takeaways   

Here are some examples:

United HealthCare, highlighted Franklin County, OH

Virtual Clarity, highlighted Dallas County, TX

Netsmart, highlighted Los Angeles County, CA

Cisco, highlighted Midland County, TX

Please send your story to ReMA and help ReMA demonstrate specific solutions and how the recycling industry is an effective partner with local government that must be invited to the table on any and all policy discussions involving recycling matters in our communities.

If you have any questions, please contact Danielle Waterfield.