Monday, August 22, 2022 | 1:00pm-7:00pm MDT
Policy Retreat | 1:00pm-5:30pm | Ballroom
Before the conference begins, we will have an afternoon focused on policy work. This is an opportunity for all members to learn how Recycle Colorado is a key player in Colorado’s progressive recycling and waste diversion policies and for members to voice their goals for future policies.
1:00 - 1:10 PM | Introductions, Goal of the Retreat
1:10 - 1:25 | Re-Cap of the ’22 legislative session and a lay of the land for the ’23 legislative session
1:25 - 1:35 | Overview of federal legislation
1:35 - 1:55 | Overview of RC’s policy accomplishments and how those accomplishments relate to the state’s Integrated Solid Waste Materials Management Plan and Recycle Colorado’s Policy Framework
1:55 - 2:25 | Group brainstorm on what to tackle next
2:25 - 2:35 | BREAK
2:35 - 3:20 | Breakout groups discuss priorities in three key areas: materials recycling, organics recycling and construction and demolition recycling setting legislative, administrative and local policy goals for the short (1-2 years) and long term (3-5 years)
3:20 - 4:20 | Groups report out
4:20 - 4:30 | BREAK
4:30 - 5:00 | Prioritization of policy goals
5:00 - 5:10 | Next steps, call for volunteers for team to work on policy strategic plan
5:10 - 5:30 | Announcement of Policy Committee Leadership Candidates and Election Process
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It’s been 3 years since we have been able to celebrate the work and people which make recycling possible in Colorado. Start the conference with a fun evening of seeing your colleagues in person while we all enjoy snacks, music, and drinks.
Tuesday, August 23, 2022 | 8:00am-10:00pm MDT
Breakfast | 8:00am-9:00am | Exhibitor Lounge
Recycle Colorado has had a momentous year with landmark legislation and enormous growth of several Councils. This opening session is an opportunity to hear from the leaders who have made this progress possible. This is also the debut of our new Executive Director, Elizabeth O’Connell Chapman, who will be introducing herself to the membership and sharing her vision for the organization.
What is EPR for Packaging and Paper Products, and what does it mean to me? | 9:30am-10:30am | Ballroom
Resa Dimino
Colorado is facing a sea change in how recycling is executed across the state. Change is hard, and can be confusing. Resa will provide some clarity by placing Colorado’s EPR for PPP program in the context of what’s happening across the US and giving insight into the roles and responsibilities of the various players in the recycling system in Colorado highlighting what is likely to change, and how that change might play out.
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First Gentleman, Marlon Reis | 10:30am-10:45am | Ballroom
Passing Period, Coffee | 10:45am-11:00am | Exhibitor Lounge
Breakout Sessions | 11:00am-12:30pm
The New Colorado Producer Responsibility Law: We did it! So now what? What is the role of Recycle Colorado in implementation?
Kate Bailey, Wolf Kray, Meghan MacKillop, Rachel Setzke
Ballroom
With the amazing work of our lobby team and many Recycle Colorado members who stayed up late to testify and contact legislators, we successfully passed the third Producer Responsibility bill in the nation and the first to create a fully producer-funded and operated statewide recycling system for all consumer-facing packaging and printed paper. So, now what? How do we implement this huge transformational policy and make sure it is successful? In this session, we will share a timeline of implementation and discuss how Recycle Colorado and its members can be instrumental in the needs assessment and setting up the advisory board. We will also have time for general questions about the new policy.
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Advancing Colorado’s Front Range up the Zero Waste Ladder – Learn about FRWD grant opportunities, the FRWD application process, and the role of the new FRWD Ambassador.
Kendra Appelman-Eastvedt, Kathleen Carroll, Steve Derus, Allie Hoffman, Barret Jensen, Laurie Johnson, Suzanne Jones, Jay Middleton, Anna Perks, Megan Vinet, Megan Wiebe
Conference Room A
With up to $15 million in funding annually, the FRWD program is seeking projects focused on waste diversion in Colorado’s 13 Front Range counties. FRWD grant recipients, board members, and program staff will discuss eligibility, tips for a successful grant application, and other resources to boost your project.
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Colorado Organics Management Plan - Sneak Peak & Next Steps
Jace Driver, Frank Franciosi, Juri Freeman, Dan Matsch, Lisa Skumatz
Conference Room H
This session looks at how we can best align our state and local regulations to meet our organics diversion goals. We’ll get a sneak preview of the soon-to-be-released Organics Management Plan, hear about USCC’s revised model rules, and end with an open discussion of next steps.
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Passing Period, Lunch | 12:30pm-1:00pm | Exhibitor Lounge
Why Reuse Wins, and it's Connections to Climate and Environmental Justice | 1:00pm-1:50pm | Ballroom
Marcel R. Howard
In this presentation, attendees will dive deep into the concepts of source reduction and reuse systems and how these systems provide an opportunity for a 'Just Transition' away from our current extractive-based economic model.
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Passing Period, Coffee | 1:50pm-2:15pm | Exhibitor Lounge
Breakout Sessions | 2:15pm-3:45pm
Developing End Market Strategies with NextCycle Colorado
Kendra Appelman-Eastvedt, Monique DiGiorgio & Juri Freeman
Ballroom
Summit attendees will learn about NextCycle Colorado, a program that challenges businesses, organizations, non-profits, universities, and entrepreneurs to develop innovative projects that create new, or improve existing, recycling and composting end markets in the state. The session will feature past participants and an interactive training opportunity for future NextCycle applicants.
View Monique's NextCycle Pitch Presentation
The New Colorado Producer Responsibility Law: We did it! So now what? What is the role of Recycle Colorado in implementation?
Kate Bailey, Wolf Kray, Meghan MacKillop, Rachel Setzke
Conference Room A
With the amazing work of our lobby team and many Recycle Colorado members who stayed up late to testify and contact legislators, we successfully passed the third Producer Responsibility bill in the nation and the first to create a fully producer-funded and operated statewide recycling system for all consumer-facing packaging and printed paper. So, now what? How do we implement this huge transformational policy and make sure it is successful? In this session, we will share a timeline of implementation and discuss how Recycle Colorado and its members can be instrumental in the needs assessment and setting up the advisory board. We will also have time for general questions about the new policy.
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Contamination - Is it solvable or not? Thinking outside of the pile
Kathleen Carroll, Taylor Hanson, Jessica Lally, Clinton Sanders, Christi Turner
Conference Room H
As we work hard in Colorado to improve our diversion rates of organic materials from Colorado landfills from 15% to 36% by 2026. We must understand high levels of contamination can quickly affect our success and reduce the quality of finished compost. What does high-level contamination look like in the organics recycling stream? Where does it happen and at what level? In this session, we take a hard look at contamination, hear about real world ideas/solutions to reduce, and remove contamination. This is a low-tech manageable stream that can be made acceptable to be received by a commercial composter. Contamination can be reduced/solved by implementing highly focused defined inspection/removal programs at smaller volume touch points. All stakeholders doing their part to support the common goal of clean organics being diverted, composted, and amended into our Colorado soils to create a truly clean circular economy, closed loop system, and a sustainable program.
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Passing Period | 3:45pm-4:00pm | Exhibitor Lounge
Around half of the materials that are landfilled are organic materials. While traditional industrial composting continues to be the most prevalent diversion avenue, researchers, institutions, and businesses are exploring other innovative and resourceful methods for harnessing these organic biomaterials. This session will touch on anaerobic digestion, sustainable aviation fuels, point-source processing, and much more!
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Awards Gala | 6:00pm-10:00pm MDT | Denver Museum of Nature & Science
Congrats to the winners of the annual Recycle Colorado Awards!
Wednesday, August 24, 2022 | 8:00am-5:00pm MDT
Breakfast | 8:00am-9:00am | Exhibitor Lounge
Colorado Composting Council quarterly meeting to take place from 8:00am-9:00am, during breakfast, in Conference Room H.
In celebration of our very first Rocky Mountain Compost Symposium as part of our Summit this year, we are pleased to welcome climate scientist, Jane Zelikova, and US Composting Executive Director, Frank Franciosi to share the latest news from climate change and compost research and the USCC.
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Passing Period, Coffee | 10:30am-11:00am. | Exhibitor Lounge
Breakout Sessions | 11:00am-12:30pm
The Circular Economy Center- What’s Next?
Adam Hill, Gail Garey, Cindy Lair, Marcel Rakowski, Sara Axelrod & Rachel Roussel-Diamond
Ballroom
We are thrilled that legislation to stand up the Circular Economy Center passed but now what? We will hear from Rachel Roussel-Diamond on the results of the stakeholder engagement process and next steps to set up the circular economy center. We will also hear from Cyndi Lair, from CDA, Adam Hill, from Direct Polymers, Gail Garey, from Steamboat Springs, Sarah Axelrod, from Ball Corporation, and Marcel Rakowski, from Reverse Logistics Group to learn how different sectors of the circular economy will benefit from this new center.
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Multi-family Recycling: The funding is coming, but there’s so much more to figure out
Cailin Hasenbalg-Long, Jill Holbert, Laura Leveque, DJ Longo, Caroline Mitchell
Conference Room A
The passing of HB 22-1355 means funds will become available to cover the costs of recycling for multi-family buildings. However, cost of service is only one of the barriers to implementing successful multi-family programs. In this session, we’ll hear from city staff, housing managers, and haulers to understand the challenges and identify strategies that local governments can use to support multi-family recycling.
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Composting & Hauling Business Basics: How to Get Started at Your City, Business, or Institution
Jamie Blanchard-Poling, Winn Cowman, Julie Mach & Jennifer Richardson
Conference Room H
Are you thinking about starting a compost business, or in the very beginning stages of starting one? If so, this session will help you navigate the basics of starting a composting and hauling business and how to navigate permitting requirements, operations, and becoming financially viable both for haulers and compost producers.
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Passing Period, Lunch | 12:30pm-1:00pm | Exhibitor Lounge
What is the solution to plastics pollution? Across the United States, governments, corporations and the community increasingly are collaborating on plastics reduction efforts. This plenary session will explore how cities such as Cleveland, Ohio are rebuilding their recycling programs and integrating it into a larger sustainability vision with a focus on plastics and waste reduction. Learn how King Sooper’s parent company Kroger has expanded its efforts. Above all, attendees will gain knowledge on the necessity of partnerships in finding solutions for plastics.
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Passing Period, Coffee | 1:50pm-2:20pm | Exhibitor Lounge
Breakout Sessions | 2:20pm-3:50pm
Navigating Colorado Plastic Bans within the Private Sector
Emily Backus, Representative Cutter, Megan Jorgensen, JohnRyan Lockman, Christopher Todd, Becca Walkinshaw
Ballroom
Did you know that Colorado has a plastic bag and styrofoam ban coming down the line? While we applaud this for its positive impact on contamination at facilities and plastics pollution in the environment; this will certainly impact businesses across our state. This panel will provide a high level look at the policy changing how plastic is consumed in Colorado. We will hear from a panel of businesses who either offer alternatives or are working to navigate the switch away from traditional single use plastics.
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Barriers & Success with Plastic Ban Implementation at the Local Government Level
Jamie Harkins, Melissa Kirr, Holly Pummell, Delanie Young
Conference Room A
With the passing of HB21-1162 during last year’s legislative session, plastic bans on items like styrofoam and plastic bags will be taking effect in 2022. While it may be difficult to begin navigating the statewide ban, two Colorado local governments, Fort Collins and Telluride, have already developed campaign strategies to help communicate plastic bans, and are looking forward to sharing their success story and the barriers they were faced with during the process.
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Organic Operations – Local Greenwaste Recycling to Commercial Composting
Shawn Bruckman, Bob Yost
Conference Room H
“Organic Recycling'' requires both local green waste recycling and commercial composting options. This session will provide requirements for successful implementation and operations of both of these options. If your company, city, county, or community is considering creating or expanding an organics diversion program, you need to attend this session.
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Happy Hour | 3:50pm-5:00pm | Exhibitor Lounge
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COVID-19 protocols: To prevent the spread of COVID-19, we encourage you to familiarize yourself with CDC guidance. By attending this conference, you agree to follow any onsite health and safety protocols. Currently, there is not a mask requirement in the counties where the events will take place. At the events, we will follow guidelines from the CDC, State of Colorado, and county/local health department. We are monitoring news about caseloads and will communicate any updated health and safety policies to all registered attendees in the weeks leading up to the conference. Recycle Colorado reserves the right to require masks and/or proof of negative test results at the 2022 conference. Recycle Colorado will provide disposable masks and hand sanitizer for attendees.
