Charlotte Becker

Moderator

Charlotte began recycling in the 1950s, when she dragged her wagon filled with glass bottles and egg cartons to the corner store. No Bottle Bill. Redemption was a penny. In the 1970s, she created an office paper recycling program and a used office supply exchange at the local title company where she worked. But it wasn't until 1987 that she had her first real job at Metro as Recycling Information Center Coordinator after completing her BA in Communications. There she became involved with AOR and the conference planning committee. In 1990, she was invited to bid on a contract to become AOR's first Resource Coordinator, a position she held until 2005. During that time, AOR hosted a successful NRC Conference, worked in conjunction with what is now ORRA on the first curbside recycling study, which helped launch source-separated curbside recycling in Oregon, lobbied to expand plastics and electronics recycling, defended office paper recycling programs from severe restrictions, and grew its membership and its resources. Charlotte left AOR to pursue a Master's degree in social work. After graduating in 2007, she went to work for the Portland VA Medical Center at its Community Living Center and skilled nursing facility in Vancouver. She retired from the VA in 2015, but continues to volunteer in her community.