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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 24, 2020
Governor Holcomb makes appointments to
Recycling Market Development Board
INDIANAPOLIS – Governor Eric J. Holcomb recently made appointments to the Recycling Market Development Board (RMDB). The RMDB, as established by IC 4-23-5.5, approves grants for business, non-profit, solid waste district, and school projects involving the creation of new products or markets for products made from recycled materials. Their mission is to promote innovative projects to make Indiana a leader in recycling and waste reduction. The RMDB consists of nine voting members, who are appointed by the Governor's Office, as well as seven non-voting ex-officio members.
The governor made four new appointments to the board who will serve until July 31, 2024:
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Debbie Hackman (Brownstown), executive director of the Jackson County Recycling District. Previously, she worked as the recycling manager for Rumpke Recycling in Louisville, KY. Hackman is passionate about helping all communities, regardless of their size, by finding solutions to recycling dilemmas.
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Craig Lutz (Indianapolis), manager of municipal services for Republic Services. Lutz started his career with Republic Services in 2002. Lutz's responsibilities include earning and maintaining contracts with municipal partners in Central Indiana, Kokomo, Lafayette, Wabash and Fort Wayne.
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Andrew Nunan (Crawfordsville), senior operations manager for ERI, Inc. Nunan has been with ERI, Inc. for more than seven years and oversees the company's Plainfield plant.
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Sandy Whitehead (Aurora), director of the Dearborn County Solid Waste Management District. Whitehead has worked in the environmental field for 16 years in a variety of areas including conducting environmental site assessments, asbestos sampling, waste and recycling account management, and education. In 2017, Whitehead helped the City of Greendale develop its own curbside recycling program and was an integral part of the City winning a Governor's Award for Environmental Excellence in 2019.
The governor also made four reappointments to the board who will serve until July 31, 2024:
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Bruce Burrow (Columbus), assistant sales manager with Rumpke Waste & Recycling Services.
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Matt Gratz (Fort Wayne), solid waste/recycling manager with the City of Fort Wayne.
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Terry Guerin (Anderson), government affairs professional with Southside Landfill.
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Kelly Weger (Fishers), lead service manager of sustainability with the Purdue Manufacturing Extension Partnership.
Tara Wessler-Henry (Connersville) with the Indiana Department of Agriculture will continue to represent the Lt. Governor's Office as a district support specialist.
The Recycling Market Development Program offers grants to the public and since 2008, the RMDB has awarded $7.8 million toward 100 projects, creating up to 847 jobs. In 2021, IDEM anticipates funding for projects that facilitate the development and implementation of waste reduction, reuse, and recycling in Indiana. Projects should result in one or more of the following:
- An increase in recyclable material collection or consumption
- A reduction in municipal solid waste shipped for final disposal
- Improved partnerships with communities, including not only economic impacts, but increased public awareness of recycling opportunities through tangible outreach and education efforts
By fostering the recycling markets in Indiana through these grants, IDEM supports the growth of the state’s recycling sector infrastructure. Additional results include higher value end products, local economic growth, and insulation of both public programs and private businesses from global market changes.
For information, please visit https://www.in.gov/idem/recycle/2358.htm.
About the Recycling Market Development Program
The Recycling Market Development Program operates under the Recycling Market Development Board as established by IC 4-23-5.5. The grant money for the program comes from the Recycling Promotion and Assistance Fund, an account generated by a per-ton fee on solid waste disposed at Indiana landfills. The fund supports source reduction, reuse, recycling and composting to prevent solid waste from permanent disposal.
About IDEM
IDEM (idem.IN.gov) implements federal and state regulations regarding the environment. Through compliance assistance, incentive programs and educational outreach, the agency encourages and aids citizens, government, businesses and other organizations to protect Hoosiers and the environment.
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Media contact:
Barry Sneed
Public Information Officer
317-232-8596
Media@idem.IN.gov
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