2021 Summit for Recycling

9:00 AM - 10:30 AM

There is significant work underway around the country to transform the U.S. recycling system. This panel explores several of these initiatives, including:

• an overview of federal policies and efforts to fund recycling
• the new EPA recycling goal and recycling strategy
• the U.S. Plastics Pact and corporate commitments to improve recycling and buy more recycled content
• new state laws to improve labeling on recyclable and compostable products  

Speakers:
Karen Bandhauer, The Recycling Partnership
Tiana Lightfoot Svendsen, U.S. Plastics Pact
Megan Quinn, Industry Dive
Jonathan Wachtel, City of Lakewood

Moderator:
Laurie Batchelder Adams, www.lbassoc.com

Panelists:

• Swire Coca-Cola
• arc Thrift Stores
• Eco-Cycle
• Republic Services

Moderator:
Becky Migas, Women in Sustainability

Legislative Meet & Greet

Legislators:
Representative Tracey Bernett
Representative Shannon Bird
Representative Lisa Cutter
Representative Meg Froelich
Senator Kevin Priola
Senator Tammy Story
Representative Brianna Titone

Special Edition: Meet the Roadie (Revolution Systems Mobile MRF)

• To Ban or Not to Ban: Can Landfill and Disposal Bans Help Develop End-Markets in Colorado?
  Colorado is challenged with not being able to ensure enough feedstock of recyclable and compostable material is available for infrastructure and markets to be developed. Can landfill or disposal bans be an important component of building recycling end markets? This panel discusses the pros and cons of landfill or disposal bans and evaluates which materials Colorado should focus on in pursuing state legislation.

  Speakers:
  Jim Hutchinson, Republic Services
  Josh Kelly, VT Dept. of Environmental Conservation
  Caroline Mitchell, City of Fort Collins
  Lisa Skumatz, Skumatz Economic Research Associates

  Moderator:
  Rachel Roussel-Diamond, Colorado Dept. of Public Health and Environment

• Digging Into C&D Programs Nationwide
  Representatives from throughout the country discuss different construction and demolition waste diversion ordinances. From hauling bans to recycling requirements, various policies from California, Illinois, and Texas will be highlighted to show the diverse array of options available to local governments for diverting construction and demolition waste.  

  Speakers:
  James Slattery, San Francisco Dept. of the Environment
  Deborah Stone, Cook County Department of Environment and Sustainability

  Moderator:
  Michael Port, Pitkin County Solid Waste

• Modern Collection Systems: Avoid the Traps with these Effective Models
  Many states and provinces currently host efficient and effective recovery systems, including Deposit Recovery Systems (DRS) and Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) programs to increase circularity into manufacturing. Join representatives from these recovery environments to learn best practices and traps to avoid as Colorado moves towards modernizing its own waste streams.

  Speakers:
  Jules Bailey, Oregon Beverage Recycling Cooperative
  Allen Langdon, Encorp Pacific (Canada)
  McKenna Morrigan, Cascadia Consulting Group

  Moderator:
  Kate Bailey, Eco-Cycle

• Filling the Gaps in Our Compost Infrastructure
  Come ready to learn and contribute. Learn about best practices and methodologies of community-scale composting. Hear about successes, failures, and barriers to starting a composting program, from small- to large-scale operations. Then participate in a working session to discuss next steps in overcoming regulatory hurdles, engineering designs, operational plans, economics, and how to win public support.  

  Speakers:
  Shawn Bruckman, Vail Honeywagon
  Winn Cowman, Yampa Valley Sustainability Council
  Jace Driver, Colorado Dept. of Public Health and Environment
  Cathy Hall, Pitkin County
  Dannah Leeman, Western Colorado University

  Moderator:
  Dan Matsch, Eco-Cycle

9:00 AM - 10:30 AM

The state has developed a road map and strategies to fight climate change and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Traditionally, these approaches have not included recycling and composting. Hear from officials about changes being made to the state’s plans to include recycling and composting in the Climate Action Plan and Greenhouse Gas Pollution Reduction Roadmap. And hear from representatives from other states and cities about how they have integrated recycling and composting in their action plans.

Speakers:
Cora Hallsworth, BCIT Centre for Ecocities
Keith Hay, Colorado Energy Office
Maya Kitahara, StopWaste
Patrick Wauters, EPA Region 8

Moderator:
Suzanne Jones, Eco-Cycle

2021 Recycling Awards

Surprise! Attend this session to find out who won one of the 2021 Recycling Awards.

Read more about the winners

Business Partner Showcase
Panelists:

• A-1 Organics
• GFL Environmental
• I.T. Refresh
• PaintCare
• Rocky Mountain Bottle Company a division of Molson Coors

Moderator:
Becky Migas, Women in Sustainability

Take a break and watch our Business Partner Showcase Video Reel on YouTube

Exclusive CDPHE Grants Room *Meet the Staff*

Special introduction by Meghan Wiebe, RRS

Moderator:
Kendra Appelman-Eastvedt, Colorado Dept. of Public Health and Environment

Staff:
Dylan Fills Pipe - Grant Specialist
Haley Gabbard - FRWD Senior Authority/Work Lead
Sonya Hansen - Grant Specialist
Jasmina Petrovic - Contract Administrator
Megan Vinet - PPAB Administrator/Work Lead

RREO and FRWD Comparison
CDPHE Recycling Grants Team

Revolution Systems Virtual MRF Tour

• Americans Expect a Lot — How Should Brands and the Recycling Industry Respond?
  Before the pandemic, 86% of Americans expected companies to stand for something more than just making money. 25% of us could name a brand we’d purchased because of the environmental record of the manufacturer, and a third of us were actively trying to buy products packaged in something other than single-use plastics. And while the pandemic changed many things, expectations of companies related to sustainability and social responsibility have not changed. When it comes to the environment, two of the top three things Americans say companies should do to positively impact their willingness to purchase relate to recycling. And while Americans are very willing to do their part and recycle, they’re losing faith that what they throw in the bin is actually recycled.

  So what does this all mean for brands — and for everyone in the recycling value chain?

  Suzanne Shelton, CEO of Shelton Group, the nation’s leading marketing communications firm entirely focused in sustainability, shares her firm’s latest research on these topics and recommendations for how companies and brands can set themselves up for success under the new rules of sustainability.  

  Speaker:
  Suzanne Shelton, The Shelton Group

• More than Meets the Eye: Compost End-Market Development
  With the onset of the pandemic in 2020, the resurgence of Victory Gardens, and a focus on staying and growing at home, end markets for compost are ripe for more development by the industry. This session discusses the diversity in end markets and end users, products available in the marketplace, and room for growth in product development regionally and nationally. Topics such as local and regional markets and standardized testing and certifications will also be explored.

  Speakers:
  Joshua Eldridge, Great Ecology
  Dr. Adrienne Godschalx
  Elaine Ingham, Soil Foodweb Inc.
  Hilary Nichols, US Composting Council
  Susan Renaud, City and County of Denver
  Clinton Sander, A1 Organics

• Legislation Producing Results! Recycling In Colorado
  Colorado is putting the final touches on some significant policy projects including conceptualizing an end-market development center, publishing a literature review on extended producer responsibility programs and models in the U.S., and undertaking a public education campaign on recycling and circular economies. In this session, CDPHE provides an update on their activities as related to Senate Bill SB20-055 and takes your input.

  Speakers:
  Juri Freeman, RRS
  Sonya Hansen, Colorado Dept. of Public Health and Environment
  Emily Wilson, Colorado Dept. of Public Health and Environment

  Moderator:
  Kendra Appelman-Eastvedt, Colorado Dept. of Public Health and Environment