Here at Rubicon, we’ve built a network of more than 5,000 independent waste haulers to partner with us in providing waste and recycling servicing for businesses in every corner of the country. We’re literally on the streets every day. And incredibly close to the communities we serve.

We’re making these communities stronger by providing affordable waste solutions and doing it in a more sustainable way. This helps businesses on Main Street save money and recycle more. It also helps our waste hauling partners grow with new trucks and infrastructure, and new jobs and opportunity.

Because we are everywhere, we see our industry impacted by the same issues that we all hear and read about. One of the biggest is criminal justice reform.

One in three American adults has a criminal record. Hundreds of thousands are released from prisons every year. These ex-offenders have the odds stacked against them upon their release. Many have no homes and no jobs to return to. Without these foundational elements, the rate of recidivism is incredibly high with some states reporting that one out of every three offenders that leave prison will return within three years.

The waste and recycling industry is addressing these issues in several ways. Some companies, like Homeboy Recycling in Los Angeles and RecycleForce in Indianapolis, are providing employment opportunities for previously incarcerated men and women. We applaud them for their commitment to this issue.

We also want to support people who may have fallen through the cracks in our society. We want to support non-violent offenders in rebuilding their lives and helping them find gainful employment.

Unfortunately, our criminal justice system is often an impediment. There are many areas where it needs reform. That’s why we’re joining the Justice Action Network as one of its first private sector partners.

The Justice Action Network has brought together progressive and conservative partners, and collaborates with law enforcement, business, civil rights, victims’ rights, and faith-based groups, to make our justice system more effective and cost-efficient. They have worked to advance bipartisan reform legislation at the federal level and successfully passed significant legislation across the country.

You can read more information about the Justice Action Network on their website (http://www.justiceactionnetwork.org).

We’re excited to join the Justice Action Network and bring a unique voice to their successful and continuing efforts to reform the criminal justice system. It’s another opportunity for us to help make our communities even stronger.