One of the great things about a business like Fox Associates is that we partner with all kinds of media brands and work in many industries. Along the way we have the pleasure (and business necessity) of immersing ourselves in these markets, learning the economics, the values, the business drivers, and more. One example is Resource Recycling Inc., the Portland, Oregon-based 36-year-old publisher of several brands for the recycling industry, including the flagship monthly magazine, Resource Recycling. Recently we had the pleasure of catching up with advertising operations manager Krystal Kennedy. Below is an edited version of our conversation.
Fox Tales: Tell us the origin story of Resource Recycling Inc.
Krystal Kennedy: About 40 years ago, recycling industry expert Jerry Powell started Resource Recycling to meet the needs of a growing industry. A few years later, he helped launch some major conferences in the field—E-Scrap in 2003, Plastics Recycling in 2006, and the Resource Recycling Conference in 2009. [The company also publishes the digital titles (annually in print) E-Scrap News and Plastics Recycling Update.]
Fox Tales: At nearly 40 years old, you’re well established, with multiple brands and three leading events. What’s driven your growth?
Krystal Kennedy.
Kennedy: There’s been growing activity and interest in the recycling space over the years. As the industry has evolved, so has the need for trusted information, connection, and innovation—which is exactly what we’ve aimed to provide through our publications and events. Our goal is to provide information to help people do their jobs in the ways they need to.
Fox Tales: What are the major trends in resource recycling? How has that industry changed?
Kennedy: A lot has changed over the decades. There’s been increased regulation, major improvements in technology, and a constant rise in the volume of materials we need to manage. Materials like plastics and lithium batteries have added new layers of complexity. The truth is that everything we produce eventually needs to find a responsible end—and that’s what the industry is working hard to address.
Fox Tales: What’s cool, surprising, and interesting about your industry and your company?
Kennedy: We are passionate about the work we do, and the journalists on our staff are some of the leading experts in the field. The policies around recycling are changing all the time, and our reporters are some of the leading trusted experts in the field. If there is something important happening in the recycling industry, our reporters know about it. Personally, I am fascinated with how AI is really transforming the recycling space. From smart robots that use computer vision to sort materials on the line to machine learning that helps classify complex waste, the tech is getting smarter every day. We’re also seeing AI used to optimize collection routes,
forecast demand for recycled materials, and even track waste through its entire lifecycle.
Fox Tales: Tell us how, when, and why you connected with Fox Associates.
Kennedy: Fox aligned with us in that they, too are experts in their field. Their desire and ability to roll up their sleeves and get involved in our success has been great.
Fox Tales: Tell us about yourself. Your career, your interests and avocations, etc.
Kennedy: Before joining Resource Recycling, I spent 30 years as a reality television producer. Shifting into a role where I get to support an organization that provides essential information to help people run their businesses has been incredibly exciting for me. What makes it even more meaningful is that these businesses play a vital role in protecting the planet. Being part of that mission feels like the right next chapter—and one I’m proud to be part of.