June 7-9 - Salishan Spa and Golf Resort - Gleneden Beach, OR

 

Looking for the PowerPoints from the conference? Check out the PRESENTATIONS.

Looking for a quick summary of the conference schedule? Check out the AGENDA.

Want to learn more about speakers and moderators? Check out the BIOS.

June 7 - Wednesday

Opening Plenary – A Full Spectrum Conversation on the How2Recycle Tool with Nina Goodrich

Nina is a brilliant thought leader whose work speaks to the convergence of sustainability, innovation, and technology. As the Director of the Sustainable Packaging Coalition and Executive Director of GreenBlue she explores how the powerful concept of a circular economy can provide growth without waste.

In this timely keynote address Nina will weave together the impact of the How2Recycle tool on manufacturing, consumption, processing, and recycling. What really is the potential for reducing contamination? Are there more benefits to curbside collection than to drop-off? What do tracking analytics tell us about how the system can be improved?

Nina’s treatment of these questions will then segue into an engaging conversation between our panelists. You’ll get the broad perspective of the plastics industry and the nitty-gritty practical perspective of MRFs, and also examine the How2Recycle tool from the point of view of lifecycle analysis.

Welcome & Moderator: Pete Chism-Winfield, AOR Chair Keynote Speaker: Nina Goodrich, Sustainable Packaging Coalition/GreenBlue Panelists: Patty Moore, Sustainable Materials Management of California; Susan Robinson, Waste Management; and David Allaway, Oregon DEQ

From Trash to Treasure - Using Art to Educate

Can art made from diverted or “unwanted” materials help us rethink waste? How does transforming one person’s waste into awesome works of art raise awareness of materials management? Can art from “trash” convey specific messages? If you’ve ever asked yourself any of these questions then this is your perfect opportunity to learn more! This highly informative session artfully analyzes how different organizations are using art to encourage people to conserve natural resources and to promote new ways of thinking about how our consumption impacts the environment.

Speakers: Deborah Munk, Recology; Lisa LeDoux, SCRAP PDX; Karen Reddick Yurka, CARTM Recycling Moderator: Thomas Egleston, Washington County

A Deep Dive Into Plastics Recycling

Plastics recycling, like plastics themselves, is seriously complicated. The full story isn’t told by simply looking at the chasing arrows and resin code on the bottle of a bottle or tub. There are numerous types of resins, different ways to produce them, and several ways to recover them. This session offers a fun, detailed, and prop-filled lesson on what real plastics recycling looks like from the curbside cart all the way to the store shelf, and then back again!.

Speakers: Patty Moore, Sustainable Materials Management of California; Jerry Powell, Resource Recycling; Jamie Christopher, PakTech Moderator: Dylan de Thomas, The Recycling Partnership

Making the Case for Wasted Food

This practical session digs into the full spectrum of food waste prevention. You’ll leave armed with knowledge about creating robust, appropriately framed campaigns with fine-tuned strategies, solid messaging, and key measurements. You’ll also hear the latest research on food rescue. If this topic is on your work plate, then don’t pass on this session!

Speakers: Elaine Blatt, Oregon DEQ; Ashley Zanolli, Oregon DEQ; Christa McDermott, Community Environmental Services Moderator: Emily Murkland, Community Environmental Services

June 8 - Thursday

Plenary: You Are What “It” Is All About: AOR Board Report and Member Survey Results

What has AOR done for you this year? And what do you want it to do for you next year? AOR board members will be on hand to share how they’ve been serving you and your organization over the past year. Your voice at this critical session, in addition to results from a recent member survey, will inform how board members focus their attention in the upcoming year and beyond. Don’t miss this opportunity!

Speakers: Pete Chism-Winfield, Board Chair; Josy Wright, Membership Chair; Nick Isbister, Fundraising Chair; Cherilyn Bertges, Marketing Chair; Kristin Leichner, Secretary; Fred Stemmler, Treasurer; Justin Gast, Legislative Chair; Pam Peck, Education Chair; Elizabeth Start, Conference Chair; Ali Briggs-Ungerer, Past Chair; Chris Parta, Parta Oregon, Inc. Moderator: Pete Chism-Winfield, Board Chair

Multiplying Your Message: New Solutions for Multifamily Recycling

This important session features research, experience, and overall solutions related to the unique challenges of multi-family recycling. A hauler will discuss enclosure issues and a local government will share about their collaborative and clever reusable bag project. In addition, Metro will offer current findings and next steps for their holistic look at the multifamily collection system, including analysis of per unit service volumes by stream, nationwide best practices, and a multifamily specific waste characterization study.

Speakers: Sara Kirby, Metro; Brian Stafki, Oregon DEQ; Shauna Sutcliffe-Shadle, City of Gresham Moderator: Kristin Leichner, Pride Disposal

What’s Next For Asbestos, Lead Paint, and Other C&D Problem Materials

It is expected that the DEQ will be making a number of rule changes regarding disposal of problem materials related to construction, such as asbestos and lead paint. This session couldn’t be more relevant right now and it will focus on the impact of those changes on various segments of the industry including haulers, contractors, local jurisdictions, and facilities operators. A robust roundtable discussion will include myriad perspectives on what works – and what doesn’t – when instituting these types of regulations from the viewpoint of communications professionals, disaster debris managers, industry reps, and the DEQ among others.  

Speakers: Killian Condon, Oregon DEQ; Zeb Bates, Oregon DEQ; Penny Erickson, Metro; Jim Kitchin, Interworks, LLC; Thomas Egleston, Washington County; Trent Carpenter, Southern Oregon Sanitation Moderator: "Handyman Bob" Strong, Around the House

Waste Not: Waste Reduction Education in Action

Waste reduction experts from throughout the state will be presenting their programs and tools that they have found effective in their communities and groups. Learn best practices for implementing waste reduction education programs in schools, see how the City of Eugene reduced disposable water bottles at events, and engage in a conversation with the folks of Ashland about waste reduction. 

Speakers: Risa Buck, Ashland Daily Tidings; Deveron Musgrave, City of Eugene; Gregg Hayward, City of Gresham; Laurel Bates, Clackamas County Moderator: Pam Peck, Metro

Plenary: Regenerative Economy and the Human Impact

This interactive workshop will teach you the tools and tactics needed to advance racial equity in your organization. It will be led by Desirée Williams-Rajee, City of Portland BPS, who was recognized last year by the White House as a “Champion of Change for Climate Equity.”

Speaker: Desirée Williams-Rajee, City of Portland BPS

Tools & Tactics For Advancing Racial Equity In Your Organization

Diversity exists within solid waste and recycling industry workforces, but are these workforces equitable? Inclusion and opportunity benefits all of us and this crucial session serves up tailored and practical solutions to move further down the path. Structured as a workshop, small groups will be paired with experts to cover different areas of focus needed to dismantle the rigid hierarchies within the workplace. 

Facilitator: Desirée Williams-Rajee, City of Portland BPS

Are You Down With PPP?

No, this isn't a Naughty By Nature reunion. This is the cutting-edge method of capturing – and paying for – the recovery and recycling of printed paper and packaging, otherwise known as PPP. Come to this informative session to learn about how British Columbia, using policy and state-of-the-art technology, completely redesigned their entire recycling system, from their curbside carts all the way to their end-markets. A solid chunk of time has been carved out to address all your questions about this innovative approach, and you won’t leave disappointed!

Speakers: Allen Langdon, Recycle BC Moderator: Nina Goodrich, Sustainable Packaging Coalition/GreenBlue

Reducing Emissions From Solid Waste Fleet and Operations

This session features three distinct presentations related to emissions reductions. 1) Get the scoop on how DEQ is leading Oregon's actions to obtain funding and implement projects for our industry out of Volkswagen’s settlement from their deceptive emission control equipment on diesel-powered cars. 2) Learn about how Metro will be implementing the solid waste vehicle fleet and non-road facility machinery inventory and emissions assessment project, with a goal of quantifying emissions and identifying opportunities for emission reductions. 3) Hear from a leading North American advanced biofuels producer and developer of renewable chemicals about their biomass-based diesel.

Speakers: Kevin Downing, Oregon DEQ; Matt Tracy, Metro; Rick Wallace, Oregon DOE Moderator: Julie Jackson, Republic Services

June 9 - Friday

Reuse and Deconstruction: Creating Jobs, Equity, & Sustainability in Portland

This session breaks down the state of deconstruction and used building materials in Oregon’s largest city. You’ll learn how new city policy, demand for old growth lumber, and workforce development is poised to transform the demolition of old houses. Whether deconstruction is covered under your job scope or whether you have personal feelings about the old home demolition, this session is built for you! 

Speakers: Alisa Kane, City of Portland BPS; Stephen Reichard, The ReBuilding Center; Sara Badiali, The Reclamation Administration Moderator: Bryce Jacobson, Metro 

Food Waste Recovery: A Food Scrap's Journey 

This session is about successful commercial food waste recovery. This is a shared 90-minute session in which each of the three presenters will have ~20min to describe their operations, what makes them successful, and how working together as food waste generator, hauler, and processor can be best done to maximize success. The University handles so many different food waste generator sub-types (e.g. residential, kitchen – front and back of house, etc.) that they will be able to provide a broad experience on reducing contamination during generation and collection. Sanipac and Rexius will discuss how to communicate effectively, back to the generator, through the food scrap chain of custody, to reduce contamination, and generally how the three entities interact. Sanipac and Rexius will also discuss how to solicit more commercial customers effectively, and engage them in a way that minimizes contamination. Rexius may also discuss end products and markets. This presentation is with a view to inevitable (and imminent) bans on food waste landfill disposal in Oregon (imposed by regional and local governments). 

Speakers: Jack Hoeck, Rexius Forest ByProducts; Phil Chesbro, University of Oregon; Aaron Donley, Sanipac Moderator: Holly Stirnkorb, Oregon DEQ

Recycling Reframed: A New Focus on Environmental Outcomes

This session will take a fresh look at what "success" in recycling should look like in the near future. Should we focus on beneficial environmental outcomes such as GHG reduction as opposed to tons of material diverted from the landfill? How can we better design collection programs and policies to give us the biggest environmental bang for the rate-payer dollar? What happens when we look at commodities through the lens of life cycle analyses? This excellent trio of speakers will address these questions and more as they bring you up to speed on policy and program changes being considered to move Oregon in a new direction. 

Speakers: Veronica Pardo, California Refuse Recycling Council; Susan Robinson, Waste Management; David Allaway, Oregon DEQ Moderator: Justin Gast, The Recycling Partnership

Changing Economics of Recycling Markets

This last year we’ve seen mostly improving markets for recyclable commodity markets, but the economics of recycling have definitely changed and there are many factors involved in commodity markets. Come join the experts as they discuss historic trends and possible futures of different materials and the related market environments. Materials covered will be organics, plastics, metals, and fiber (paper) grades. End markets domestically and globally will be discussed, as well as barriers and opportunities. This session will be a recap of what has happened to recycling markets over the last year(s), why it happened, where they stand today, and what may happen next.

Speakers: Pete Pasterz, Oregon DEQ; Nina Butler, More Recycling. Mike Ingalls, Far West Recycling; Sean Finney, Recology; Bernie Lee, ISRI Moderator: Vinod Singh, Far West Recycling

Decluttering Communication and Other Ways to Nudge People Towards Action

When you start asking, "How many times do I have to tell them to do this?!" it's time for a new approach. More information isn’t the answer! But there are other (proven) ways to motivate: Get rid of hassle, simplify the message, and show them what's in it for them. In this workshop, you'll learn how and why these approaches work, practice applying them to your own work, and walk away with new ideas for getting the results you want.

Speaker: Lindsey Maser, City of Portland BPS