ReMA 2025 – The Show is hosting the Recycling Education & Research Foundation (RERF) annual Silent Auction. The proceeds from the event help the Foundation carry out its mission of funding projects that promote public awareness, education, research, and the advancement of the recycled materials industry.
Over the years, RERF’s Silent Auction has raised over $300,000 from donations such as recycled metal art, hotel packages, jewelry, sporting goods, and equipment and tools.
The fundraiser will be held in person at ReMA 2025 – The Show at the San Diego Convention Center in San Diego, California, May 12 – 15, 2025.
We sat down with RERF’s chair, Christine Gneiding, trader at Intrametco, and Rickey Dana, RERF’s new program director, to find out what the process looks like this year and what enticing items will be up for grabs.
What are you looking forward to at ReMA2025?
Rickey: Since I’ve only been with ReMA for a few months, I’m excited to meet more members and network at the convention. I’m also looking forward to attending the educational sessions, learning more about the recycled materials industry, and finding takeaways that that members can bring back to benefit their businesses. RERF will also have a new award as part of the ReMA awards ceremony on Wednesday, May 14—the Peter J. Avagliano award. The award will be given to an early-to-mid career recycled materials facility employee who best exemplifies the legacy and impact that Peter J. Avagliano had on the recycling industry.
What sets this year’s auction apart?
Chris: This is the first convention under the association’s new rebrand, and RERF has a renewed focus too. We’re more member focused. We also have a clear direction of where we are going and who we’re serving, and how we can best assist ReMA businesses. The Foundation is working to sponsor projects that not only promote the advancement of recycling through education and research but also building on opportunities for the industry’s workforce development and employee retention.
What are some of the big-ticket items attendees can expect?
Rickey: We’ve got a very cool upcycled bike that’s made of recycled aluminum coffee pods. One of my favorites is a bottle of Willett eight-year-old bourbon. We’ve got ReMA branded sneakers along with recycled metal art, gift cards, one of our equipment providers is donating a pro tool bag, and we have a bench made of recycled plastic. We also have several chapter/region event packages, which is a great way for someone to participate in a chapter event that they may not normally be able to attend.
Chris: Last year, we found that a lot of attendees who bid on the chapter/region packages chose to attend events outside of their own geographic area. We got phones calls and great feedback from attendees letting us know how much they enjoyed those events and how they are planning to attend in following years for the networking and new business opportunities. If you’re on the East Coast, you normally wouldn’t think to attend a Rocky Mountain Chapter event, but bidding on an event at the annual RERF silent auction is the perfect opportunity to broaden your horizons.
Where will the auction be held?
Chris: It will be in the foyer of the convention near the ReMA membership counter and the ReMA pro shop. The auction will be very visible this year. Andy Cohen, ReMA convention chair, has been working with us to make sure that RERF will be seen and heard so you can’t miss it as you go into the exhibit hall.
What is the bidding and auction process?
Chris: This year we’re going old-school with paper and clipboards for the bidding process. You’ll be able to see who might be bidding ahead of you and we hope this will inspire some friendly competition among attendees.
Rickey: You’ve got to be onsite to bid, nothing will be accepted online. The auction will open the evening of Monday, May 12 after the grand opening of the exhibit hall, and will stay open until the afternoon on Wednesday, May 14.
We’re still accepting donations for the RERF Silent Auction. Click here to donate!
