Opening General Session
Monday, 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
This year’s keynote speaker was world-renowned architect, designer and a leading innovator of our time, William A. McDonough. McDonough will highlight the vital role of innovation in today's world and our sustainable future. McDonough has been a leader in the sustainable development movement since its inception. Over the arc of his career, he has been the driving force of the green building movement as a charter member of the U.S. Green Building Council. He is also among the few individuals who can be credited for fostering the green industrial revolution through the principles of ecologically intelligent design and protocol put forth in his book, "Cradle to Cradle."
Time Magazine recognized him as "Hero for the Planet," stating "his utopianism is grounded in a unified philosophy that - in demonstrable and practical ways - is changing the design of the world."
Closing Session “Leadership Roundtable – United for Recycling”
Association Leaders, all representing essential and often shared recycling constituencies, will share their programs and plans to enhance materials recovery and a sustainable environment.
Moderator:
Jerry Powell, Resource Recycling, E-Scrap News, Plastics Recycling Update (Portland, OR)
Speakers:
Robin Wiener, President, Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries, Inc. (ISRI), (Washington, DC)
Lori Scozzafava, Deputy Executive Director, Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA), (Silver Spring, MD)
Chaz Miller, Director, State Programs, National Solid Waste Management Association (NSWMA), (Washington, DC)
Ed Skernolis, National Recycling Coalition (Washington, DC)
Concurrent Sessions:
“Developments in State Electronics Recycling Programs”
Over the last 5 years, 18 states and one local government enacted various forms of electronics recycling laws, most of them based on producer responsibility. During this session, state agency representatives in various stages of implementation of their laws will describe and contrast their programs according various elements. Program elements will include financing method, recycler environmental management standards, and collector involvement.
Moderator:
- Jason Linnell, National Center for Electronics Recycling (Davisville, WV)
Speakers:
- Scott Mouw, North Carolina Department of Natural Resources (Raleigh, NC)
“Got Food? Working Towards Zero Waste at Higher Education Institutions”
This panel will discuss various approaches to minimizing our waste streams. Experts will discuss ongoing efforts, challenges, and successes in relation to their campus or business working to minimize their waste/food. Perspectives will range from campus dining, catering and special events, as well as supply chain purchasing strategies.
Moderator:
- Michael Youdelman, Stony Brook University (Stony Brook, NY)
Speakers:
- Laurie Cousart, University of Pennsylvania (Philadelphia, PA)
- Kevin Lyons, Ph.D., Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey (New Brunswick, NJ)
- BJ Tipton, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill (Chapel Hill, NC)
- Christopher Stemen, Senior Director, Sustainability & Environmental Stewardship
“Managing Debris”
This session will look at both the cleanup of natural disasters and the cleanup of littered oceans and highways which allow us to better understand the role of proper waste management and give evidence of the opportunities for materials recovery where often overlooked.
Moderator:
- Michael Patton (NRC Board Member), The Metropolitan Environmental Trust (Tulsa, OK)
Speakers:
- John Rogers, CPM, Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (Baton Rouge, LA)
- Molly Madden, U.S. EPA, Oceans & Coastal Protection Division (Washington, DC)
- Jerry Zona , PA Cleanways (Greensburg, PA)
“The Sustainable Office: Green Buildings and Recycling”
More and more communities are extending voluntary and mandatory recycling programs to offices and other institutional settings. This panel provides practical information on the steps necessary for environmentally sustainable buildings.
Moderator:
- Kent Foerster, U.S. EPA (Washington, DC)
Speakers:
- Cat Wilt, Center for Clean Products, University of Tennessee (Knoxville, TN)
- Jeremy Benkin, CB Richard Ellis (Memphis, TN)
- Suki Janssen, Athens-Clarke County Recycling Divsion (Athens, GA)
“Recycling and Climate Change: The Value of Recycling in a Carbon-Constrained World”
Climate Change policy is moving forward at the state and federal level, and recycling advocates everywhere should have a seat at the table. This seminar will cover the major issues, the status of policy development, and how we measure and promote the value of recycling to decisionmakers and the public.
Moderators:
- Chaz Miller, National Solid Wastes Management Association (NSWMA), (Washington, DC)
- Stephen Bantillo (NRC Board Member), State of California, Division of Recycling (Sacramento, CA)
Speakers:
- James Wintergreen, First Environment, Inc. (Boonton, NJ)
- Jennifer Brady, U.S. EPA – Office of Solid Waste (Washington, DC)
- Andy Likes, The Vandiver Group, Inc (St. Louis, MO)
- Scott Subler, Environmental Credit Corporation (State College, PA)
“Innovations in Education”
Learn how recycling education has moved into the 21st century, using the various media and messaging that resonates with our everchanging life-styles and culture.
Moderator:
- English Bird (NRC Board Member), New Mexico Recycling Coalition (Santa FE, NM)
Speakers:
- Jennifer Porter, City of Portland (Portland, OR)
- Arley Owens, Earthshield Green (Reynoldsburg, OH)
- James Woods, Steel Recycling Institute (Pittsburgh, PA)
“New Uses for Traditional Material: Promoting Recycling Market Development”
Find out how innovative marketing and technologies are one answer to addressing materials such as recovered glass and tires.
Moderrator:
- George Dreckmann (NRC Board Member), City of Madison (Madison, WI)
Speakers:
- Michael Blumenthal, Rubber Manufacturers Association (Washington, DC)
- Robert Bylone, Pennsylvania Recycling Markets Center (Middletown, PA)
- Timothy Breneisen, Pennsylvania Recycling Markets Center (Middletown, PA)
“Away from Home”
Extraordinary opportunities exist for expanding recycling in non-residential settings. This panel will cover the territory from bars and restaurants, to stadium events.
Moderator:
- Joseph Cattaneo, Glass Packaging Institute (Alexandria, VA)
Speakers:
- Scott Mouw, North Carolina Department of Natural Resources (Raleigh, NC)
- Al Matyasovsky, Penn State University (University Park, PA)
- Rick Meyers, City of Milwaukee (Milwaukee, WI)
“Recycling 101: The Fundamentals of Recycling Systems, Markets, and Economics”
If you are new to recycling, this session will get you up to speed quickly on the fundamentals, including how the majority of recycling systems are set up, the most frequently used technologies, and how recycling markets function.
Speakers:
- Natalie Starr, DSM Environmental Services, Inc. (Ascutney, VT).
- Ted Siegler, DSM Environmental Services, Inc (Ascutney, VT)
“EPA’s Resource Conservation Challenge: Innovations in Using Industrial Byproducts”
The use of industrial byproducts is widespread and commonplace, but is probably not well understood by the municipal side of the industry. This panel will present information on three national efforts to increase the use and awareness of six industrial byproducts.
Moderator:
- Michael Blumenthal, Rubber Manufactures Association (Washington, DC)
Speakers:
- Maria Vickers, U.S. EPA (Washington, DC)
- Jason Harrington, U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration (Washington, DC)
- Elizabeth Olenbush, Industry Resources Council & Foundry Industry Recycling Starts Today (Mill River, MA)
“EPR for Electronics – The New Business Models”
Learn the latest on how electronics manufacturers are addressing corporate sustainability and anticipating and responding to e-recycling mandates.
Moderator:
- John Himes, PA Recycling Markets Center (Middletown, PA)
Speakers:
- Joe Aho, Waste Management Recycle America
- Matthew Gobble, Toshiba America Consumer Products, LLC (Nashville, TN)
“Recycling Education & Promotion in the Workplace: Campuses to Corporations”
Sponsored by American Forest & Paper Association
Think getting the word out on recycling is difficult? The ideas you will get from this session could make it easier. These speakers have educated them all. Learn how to educate on-campus residents, dining facility staff and customers, the general public, students, faculty, staff, institutional leaders, maintenance employees, contractors, suppliers, etc. Where can you get the biggest education bang for your buck? Does timing matter? Are you sending the right message? Are you using available technology? Come get the latest information and ideas.
Moderator:
- Christine Cooley, Medical University of South Carolina (Charleston, SC)
Speakers:
- Mark Darling, Ithaca College (Ithaca, NY)
- Becky Valentich, University of Texas at Arlington (Arlington, TX)
- James Hobbs, Interface Research & Development (LaGrange, TX)
“Sustainable Cities and Zero Waste”
Communities throughout the country are working to become more sustainable to address concerns about climate changes. Communities have found that Zero Waste and improved reuse, recycling and composting activities are some of the quickest, cheapest and most effective strategies a community can pursue to address climate change. Significantly decreasing waste disposed in landfills and incinerators will reduce greenhouse gas emissions the equivalent to closing 21% of U.S. coal-fired power plants, or comparable to improving national vehicle fuel efficiency standards. Climate change concerns are also attracting additional support and funding to expand recycling programs, even within lean budget years. This session will highlight three communities that have adopted such Zero Waste initiatives: Fresno, CA; Austin, TX; and Logan County,OH. This session will also highlight the value of local city or county involvement in the "NRC Climate Change Initiative".
Moderator:
- Stephanie Barger, Earth Resource Foundation (Costa Mesa, CA)
Speakers:
- Melissa Martinez, City of Austin (Austin, TX)
-Robert Gedert, City of Fresno (Fresno CA)
- Alan Hale, Logan County Solid Waste Management District (Bellefontaine, OH)
“The New Story of Recycling Metrics: Two Case Studies”
Learn how two major U.S. cities have drilled deep into their solid waste management practices to better understand the economics and opportunities for recycling
Moderator:
- Cat Wilt, Center for Clean Products, University of Tennessee (Knoxville, TN)
Speakers:
- Natalie Starr, DSM Environmental Services, Inc. (Ascutney, VT)
- Ted Siegler, DSM Environmental Services, Inc. (Ascutney, VT)
- Hallie Clemm, Department of Public Works, Government of the District of Columbia (Washington, DC)
“Specifications & RFP’s”
This session will provide a brief overview of writing bids and Requests for Proposals (RFP’s) and negotiating and adhering to contracts. The instructor will touch on bidding, types of bids, RFP’s, and related documents. Legal and ethical considerations will be included, with a focus on avoiding common bid and contract pitfalls.
Speakers:
- Michele Nestor, Nestor Resources, Inc. (Valencia, PA)
- Steven Deasy, Gannett Fleming, Inc. (Camp Hill, PA)
“Sustainable Businesses & Zero Waste”
Businesses are leading the way to Zero Waste as part of their efforts to become more sustainable and address concerns about climate changes. Zero Waste Businesses have decreased waste disposed in landfills and incinerators by more than 90%, demonstrating that Zero Waste, or darn close, is possible. Zero Waste Businesses have all saved money, reduced their liabilities, increased their efficiencies and reduced their greenhouse gas emissions. Institutions are also finding similar savings and benefits, including major federal military bases that embraced the Presidential Executive Order 13101 to reduce their wastes. This session will highlight two businesses and 1 military base that have adopted such Zero Waste initiatives: Subaru (Indiana), Caterpillar Tractor (Illinois) and Vandenberg Air Force Base (California).
Moderator:
- Stephanie Barger, Earth Resource Foundation (Costa Mesa, CA)
Speakers:
- Joe Allen, Caterpillar Remanufacturing Division
- Denise Coogan, Subaru of Indiana Automotive, Inc. (Lafayette, IN)
- Steve Van Middlesworth, Vandenberg Airforce Base (Vandenberg AFB, CA)
- Patrick Maloy, Vandenberg Airforce Base (Vanderberg AFB, CA)
“Commodity Market Update”
The globalization of commodity markets and the continuing high demand for recovered materials have dramatically changed the economic foundation of recycling. These experts will bring you up to date on the latest in commodity market dynamics
Moderator:
- Gary Wygant (NRC Member), Coca-Cola Recycling, Coca-Cola Enterprises (Atlanta, GA)
Speakers:
- William Heenan, Steel Recycling Institute (Pittsburgh, PA)
- Patricia Moore, Moore Recycling Associates, Inc. (Sonoma, CA)
- Joseph Cattaneo, Glass Packaging Institute (Alexandria, VA)
- Greg Wittbecker, Alcoa Materials Management (Knoxville, TN)
- David Struhs, International Paper Company (Memphis, TN)
“Innovative Education Tools for Today’s Recycling”
Sponsored by Time, Inc.
Enhancing participation in existing programs is a common challenge among the recycling community. This panel provides evidence of on-the-ground programs that have produced real results.
Moderator:
- David Refkin, Time, Inc, (New York, NY)
Speakers:
- David Hurd, Council on the Environment New York City (New York, NY)
- Lena Davie, Hill & Knowlton (Tampa, FL)
“RecycleMania: The Race to Reduce Campus Waste”
Sponsored by Nike
Join a dynamic panel of representatives from campuses large and small, public and private, who will discuss how they have used this EPA-sponsored, NRC-administered competition to improve their campus recycling and waste reduction programs. What resources are available to help measure and promote recycling at colleges and universities? What are the emerging benchmarks of excellence that RecycleMania contest results showing us? How can similar contests motivate better recycling in contexts other than campuses? The session will answer these and many more questions. Also, hear a sneak preview of national recycling promotions at the NCAA Final Four men's basketball tournament! While intended for higher education staff, faculty and students in the recycling and waste reduction field, municipal recycling coordinators whose communities host higher education campuses may also find this session useful.
Moderator:
- Rob Gogan, Harvard University (Cambridge, MA)
Speakers:
- Alec Cooley, National Recycling Coalition (Mt. Pleasant, SC)
- Julie Muir, PSSI/Stanford Recycling (Stanford, CA)
- Mike Sims, Lane Community College (Eugene, OR)
- Amy Preble, University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill (Chapel Hill, NC)
- Dave VanDeventer, Bob Jones University (Greenville, SC)
- Rob Townsend, Kalamazoo College (Kalamazoo, MI)
“Climate Change Metrics for Recyling: EPA WARM Model Training”
EPA will provide the how-to of assessing the climate change impacts of your recycling program options by using its Waste Reduction Model
Speaker:
- Jennifer Brady, U.S. EPA – Office of Solid Waste (Washington, DC)
“Innovation in Technology: The Modern MRF”
This panel will bring together leading equipment providers to discuss what to expect in future recycling processing. Topics for discussion include the sorting options and technology capabilities for addressing the complex demands of mixed materials sorting. Questions to be addressed include: Can we expect more energy efficient systems in the future?; What does the future hold for additional automation?; What are the advantages for mechanical screening and optical sorting?; What are the latest advances in sorting mixed materials?
Moderator:
- Steve Dunn, Greenstar North America (Atlanta, GA)
Speakers:
- Rich Reardon, BHS Bulk Handing Systems (Eugene, OR)
- Michael Grubbs, MSS (Nashville, TN)
- Nicolas Belanger, Machinex (Chicago, IL)
“Student Leadership: Making a Difference on Campus and Beyond”
Sponsored by Novelis
Student leadership is both a critical driver to making college campuses more sustainable and an important way that students can develop the real world skills that can lead to professional careers in the recycling and sustainability fields. This session will feature current and past student leaders discussing how one can make a difference on campus and beyond. Presenters will cover topics including applying transformative leadership principles to more effectively work with others, understanding and navigating campus administration and bureaucracy, as well as highlight examples of how students have brought significant change to their school’s environmental practices.
Moderator:
- M. Shernell Smith, Carnegie Mellon University (Pittsburgh, PA)
Speakers:
- Vanessa Schweizer, Carnegie Mellon University (Pittsburgh, PA), presentation 2, presentation 3.
- Donny Addison, Auburn University (Auburn, AL)
- Ian Mustee, Penn State University (University Park, PA)
“Capitalizing Financially on Recycling’s New Economics”
Over the past five years the economics of recycling have been transformed. New technologies have emerged that dramatically improve the efficiency of collecting and processing recyclables. Innovative program designs that add convenience and create incentives for participation are rapidly becoming mainstream. And prices paid for recyclable commodities have been consistently higher for longer than any period in the last 30 years. This session will show you how cities and counties are using contracting and negotiation to maximize the revenues they receive for these materials and capitalize financially and environmentally on recycling’s new economics.
Moderator:
- Michael Alexander, Kessler Consulting, Inc. (Brattleboro, VT)
Speakers:
- Mitch Kessler, Kessler Consulting, Inc. (Tampa, FL)
- George Dreckmann, City of Madison (Madison, WI)
“Incentives for Recycling”
Sponsored by American Beverage Association
One of the keys to increasing household participation is creating price or reward incentives. This panel will bring us up to date on the success of these incentives for inducing changes in recycling behavior.
Moderator:
- Scott Seydel (NRC Board Member), The Seydel Companies (Pendergrass, GA)
Speakers:
- Lisa Pomerantz, RecycleBank (New York, NY)
- Lisa Skumatz, SERA, Inc. (Superior, CO)
“Public Relations and Communications”
A recycling coordinator has two main responsibilities: program design/implementation and public education to encourage community participation. Public education can consist of direct contact with the community as well as contact through the media. Talking to your community in meetings is clearly the most direct way of reaching them, while spreading the word with the help of the media reaches a broader audience. This course is designed to cover such topics as community outreach, working with the media, and media interviewing skills. This course will also provide participants with public education tools such as news releases, fact sheets and media alerts and touch on crisis management and web marketing.
Speakers:
- Craig Maher, MPA Program, University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh (Milwaukee, WI)
- Selena Ramkeesoon, ICF International (Washington, DC) Presentation 2, Presentation 3, Presentation 4, Presentation 5, Presentation 6.
“Recycling Goes Dot Com”
Here’s how communities are innovating with web technology to educate residents, improve efficiency, and measure success
Moderator:
- Carl Hursh, PA Department of Environmental Protection (Harrisburg, PA)
Speakers:
- Tom Adams, Lancaster County Solid Waste Management Authority (Lancaster, PA)
- Julie Riley, Lucas County Solid Waste Management District (Maumee, OH)
- Norm Ruttan, iWasteNot Systems (Mallorytown, Ontario, Canada)
“Beyond Curbside – Innovations in Universal and Not-so-Universal Waste Management”
Communities are constantly looking at ways to expand programs beyond the usual commodities found in curbside setouts. This panel presents the innovative thinking that is bringing the materials recovery mission to a variety of consumer and commercial products
Moderator:
- Stampp Corbin (NRC Board Member), Resource One Computer Systems (Columbus, OH)
Speakers:
- Tim Warren, Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation (Wildwood, MO)
- George Dreckmann, City of Madison (Madison, WI)
“Beyond Curbside – Innovations in C&D Materials Recovery”
Building materials recovery represents an ever-increasing portion of community diversion statistics. This panel discusses the opportunities available to continue that expansion of recovery and marketing C&D materials.
Moderator:
- David Bennink, RE-USE Consulting (Bellingham, WA)
Speakers:
- Brad Guy, Building Materials Reuse Association (Pittsburgh, PA)
- Mike Gable, Construction Junction (Pittsburgh, PA)
- John Snarr, Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (Washington, DC)
“Safety First!”
Safety in our industry can’t be overlooked, or relegated to a “don’t think about it too often” status. Learn from experts on why we must be safety conscious at all times; the keys elements to a good recycling safety program; and the tragic lessons learned when safety is not followed. This is a must session for anyone operating a recycling program.
Moderator:
- E. Gifford Stack, New Mexico Environment Department (Santa FE, NM)
Speaker:
- Bob Carroll, U.S. Department of Labor OSHA (Pittsburgh, PA)
- Tom Powers, Waste Management Recycle America
“Rural Recycling Roundtable – The Zero Waste Challenge for Rural and Small Community Recyclers ”
The mainstay and always popular Rural Roundtable is back for another session to explore the unique challenges of rural and small communities in striving for zero waste. Participants will be asked to discuss their local successes and innovations in addressing common issues such as transportation fuel costs, access to markets, and participation.
“New Developments in Food Waste and Initiatives”
Organics composting is increasingly a core recycling program for communities throughout the country. This panel presents innovative program ideas to build upon the success of the last 10 years.
Moderator:
- Susan Kattchee (NRC Board Member), City of Oakland (Oakland, CA)
Speakers:
- Joe Goicochea, Ohio EPA (Columbus, OH)
- Greg Malone, Kurtz Bros., Inc (Independence, OH)
- Mark Darling (Ithaca College (Ithaca, NY)
“The Big Picture: The State of Recycling and Opportunities for Innovation”
Two national experts provide their unique and provocative views on the state of recycling, from policy to markets to management.
Speakers:
- Jerry Powell, Resource Recycling, E-Scrap News, Plastics Recycling Update (Portland, OR)
- Harvey Gershman, Gershman, Brickner & Bratton, Inc (Fairfax, VA)
“National Innovations – FTC Green Guide and the USPS Greening the Mail Program”
At the national level, a number of potentially significant program innovations are underway that may dramatically affect the recycling community. This panel brings us up to date on the role government and the USPS are playing.
Moderator:
- Melinda Uerling (NRC Board Member), Recycle Ann Arbor (Ann Arbor, MI)
Speakers:
- Perry Plumart, United States Postal Service (Washington, DC)
- Laura DeMartino, Federal Trade Commission (Washington, DC)
Moderator:
- Lori Scozzafava, SWANA (Silver Spring, MD)
Faciliator:
Shirin Spangenberg, Curb It Recycling (Park City, UT)