West Michigan Sustainable Business Forum will host a town hall discussion for local organizations impacted by the rapidly emerging recycling markets crisis created by the Chinese National Sword trade policies at its monthly forum on Monday, September 10 at Mercy Health Saint Mary’s. The event will also feature a presentation highlighting best-in-class diversity and inclusion practices at Mercy Health System.

Chinese National Sword is the colloquial name for several related trade policies that have recently restricted imports of scrap material and recycling commodities to China, once the largest destination for U.S. recycled material. Representatives from the WMSBF Solid Waste Task Force will share ways in which their organizations have been forced to respond to China Sword, both positive and negative, including pricing adjustments, operational improvements, and material restrictions, among others. This will be an open forum for participants to discuss their challenges and gain insights from mutual perspectives. The Solid Waste Task Force is a the forum’s leadership committee for commercial recycling.

Three speakers will frame the conversation with remarks from varying perspectives: Matt Flechter, Recycling Market Develpment for the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality will introduce the issue and its impacts. Padnos Sales Associate Lynn Mulder will share how lower prices and fewer buyers are impacting what can be recycled by local businesses. Steelcase Environmental Scientist Heidi Frasure will share how the office furniture maker has been forced to make investments and adopt new practices in order to maintain its recycling program. Other experts will also be on hand to answer questions from attendees and provide insights.

Also on the agenda is featured presenter Shana Welch, Executive Director, Talent Acquisition Trinity Health – Michigan Region Saint Joseph Mercy Health System & Mercy Health. She will highlight several of the health care system’s best practices, including its evidence-based hiring process. By removing the implicit bias and using a set of measurable standards for all potential job candidates, Mercy Health has increased its diverse hiring from 18% to 38% over a period of three years.

Lunch is $15 for members and $20 for non-members if paid online prior to the event here.