In the United States, we collectively generate 200 million tons a year of trash--enough to cover the state of Texas twice (Source). We are facing a municipal disposal crisis as available land declines while waste production and pollution climb. The fate of waste has already begun to shift from its grave in landfills to a second life via reuse and recycling, either in the form of renewable energy or raw materials for use in new usable products. In our January focus group, we pinpoint the technologies and market for transforming once discarded trash into material and product gold.

Transforming Waste 

• From the waste management perspective, what is the payback from waste reprocessing into materials vs. other routes, such as landfilling?
• What factors determine rates of recycling for paper, plastics, organic waste, etc.?
• Does the cost and energy involved in the collection, transportation, and sorting of recycled materials outweigh the environmental good of the usable product? 
• What municipal partnerships and programs exists that fuel the waste recycling economy? What are the targets and what is the role of public investment? 
• What are the latest advancements/ developments in the processing technologies used in recycling waste? What are the shortcomings of existing products, and what new technologies hold the most promise?
• How has waste recycling kept in pace with the changing waste stream?
• How can we reduce the cost of tipping fees for recycling of municipal solid waste? 

The Market for Recycled Products 

• How do recycling processing/treatment facilities partner with product manufacturers?  What strategies can we utilize to optimize the procurement of secondary raw materials by companies?
• An exploration of the new markets and applications that exist for recycled materials: what trends are visible today? What external factors will likely influence the trajectory of the market?
• What strategies can be adopted to increase the profit-margin on recycled products? 

• What are the roles of public engagement, and city recycling programs and how has this shifted?

• The Inevitable Next Step: What is the zero waste movement? How do communities, governments, and individuals incentivize businesses to not only recycle and carry recycled products, but to institute zero waste policies across their organization? 

   Extended Product Responsibility: What role should businesses play in the future in taking back their products and materials from consumers?

Format: This is a live, online meeting with interactive Q&A. 

Speakers: 

Veolia Environmental Services Solid Waste, Tom Riek, Vice President of Recycling

Gary Liss & Associates, Gary Liss, President, Founder/Past President of the National Recycling Coalition

Seattle Public Utilities, Tim Croll, Solid Waste Director 

NYC Department of Sanitation, Robert Lange, Director, Bureau of Waste Prevention, Reuse, and Recycling

Meet the Panel 

Please contact kimberly.schoemaker@agrion.org for more information.

For day-of registration, please call Kimberly Schoemaker at 212- 725- 2550.