Sessions
SESSIONS
Monday, June 22
BIPOC Affinity and Ally MeetingMonday, 6/22, 10:00am - 11:00am |
|
Designed to foster community, provide support, and strengthen our collective commitment to equity and inclusion within the recycling and sustainability industry, this BIPOC affinity and ally meeting will focus on community-building, networking, and resource sharing in a supportive space.
LGBTQIA+ Ally Affinity and Ally MeetingMonday, 6/22, 11:00am - 12:00pm |
|
Designed to foster community, provide support, and strengthen our collective commitment to equity and inclusion within the recycling and sustainability industry, this LGBTQIA+ affinity and ally meeting will will focus on community-building, networking, and resource sharing in a supportive space.
OPENING PLENARY: Recycling Modernization Act (RMA) – First Year in ReviewMonday, 6/22, 12:30pm - 2:00pm |
|
The Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and the Circular Action Alliance (CAA) will provide a comprehensive update on the first year of the Recycling Modernization Act (RMA). This session is designed for all stakeholders involved in the recycling industry, offering critical insights into how the act is being implemented.
Key Highlights
- Implementation Progress: Gain a direct update from DEQ and CAA on the current status of RMA rollout.
- Essential Insights: Presenters will share "need-to-know" information alongside interesting findings from the inaugural year.
- Sector Relevance: Understand why RMA implementation is relevant and of high interest to everyone working within the waste and recycling space.
Why Attend?
As the RMA continues to reshape the landscape of recycling, staying informed on its progress is vital for compliance and operational planning. This session offers a unique opportunity to hear directly from the organizations leading the transition.
Tuesday, June 23
PLENARY: The Next Generation: Young Voices in RecyclingTuesday, 6/23, 9:00am - 10:00am |
|
This session features a candid panel discussion with younger professionals currently navigating the recycling industry. As the current workforce ages, this conversation addresses the critical need to attract and retain new talent to ensure the long-term sustainability of the sector.
Key Highlights
- Workforce Evolution: Explore strategies for attracting new voices as the industry face a shifting demographic landscape.
- Professional Perspectives: Gain insights into what makes this an exciting time to be a professional in the recycling field.
- Economic Context: Discuss workforce challenges within the context of Oregon’s 5.2% unemployment rate.
- Authentic Dialogue: Benefit from a panel format designed to provide honest, first-hand experiences from the next generation of leaders.
Why Attend?
Understanding the motivations and challenges of younger professionals is essential for any organization looking to build a resilient workforce. This session provides a unique opportunity to hear directly from the future of the industry about what it takes to foster a vibrant and inclusive professional environment.
CONCURRENT SESSION: Multifamily Recycling—Making Space and Preparing for Oregon’s FutureTuesday, 6/23, 10:15am - 11:15am |
|
This session combines a strategic overview of local government approaches with a moderated panel to address the unique challenges of multi-dwelling waste management. As Oregon moves toward new standards, this presentation explores how local jurisdictions are "making space" for effective recycling and what upcoming changes mean for the industry.
Key Highlights
- Expert Panel Discussion: Engage with a moderated panel focusing on upcoming regulatory shifts and what is on the horizon for multifamily recycling in Oregon.
- Local Government Overview: Gain a comprehensive look at how local governments are currently addressing multi-dwelling waste and the strategies they use to manage these complex environments.
- Interactive Planning: The session encourages the audience to actively consider how they will adapt to and prepare for these significant changes.
- Timely Regulatory Insights: Discuss why these issues are critical right now, as all multi-dwelling programs face evolving requirements.
Why Attend?
This combined session is extremely timely and relevant for any professional responsible for waste management in high-density environments. Attendees will receive both a high-level overview of local government successes and practical, "need-to-know" updates on the future of multifamily recycling that will directly impact their work.
CONCURRENT SESSION: Reimagining the Circular Economy—A 2-Hour Reuse & Repair IntensiveTuesday, 6/23, 10:15am - 12:15pm |
Oregon is at a circularity crossroads. This dynamic 2-hour workshop brings together local leaders to explore how we can bridge the "reuse gap" through innovation, culture, and workforce development. Using a fast-paced "RE-Slam" (Pechakucha style) format followed by interactive roundtables, participants will dive into the practicalities of making reuse and repair central to our waste management infrastructure.
Session Highlights & Lightning Presentations
- Bridging the Reuse Gap: Navigating the intersection of policy and practice as closed-loop initiatives take off across the U.S.
- Repair Culture in Lane County: Strategies for breaking down barriers to achieve community-wide success in repair and reuse.
- The ReBuilding Center Showcase: A series of talks on reimagining materials through creative reuse, strategies for extending the life of everyday items, and addressing systemic workforce issues in reuse retail.
- Rapid Reusable Foodware Oregon Showcase: A visually rich exploration of the rapidly growing reusable foodware systems.
- Creative Community Strategies: MECCA (Materials Exchange Center for Community Arts) shares innovative ideas for encouraging reuse through art and local engagement.
- Hauling for Health and Housing: A fresh perspective on bulky waste, viewing it not just as a material challenge but as a right to health and housing.
Why Attend?
Whether you are looking for cost-saving community solutions, environmental strategies to combat economic hardship, or innovative ways to handle bulky waste, this workshop offers a comprehensive toolkit. You will walk away with actionable ideas, a list of creative strategies for your own region, and a deeper understanding of how to engage in the growing reuse economy.
CONCURRENT SESSION: Closing the Loop—Collaborative Success Stories in Recycling and OrganicsTuesday, 6/23, 11:30am - 12:30pm |
|
This session explores innovative, hands-on methods for navigating the complexities of modern recycling and organics collection. By combining local success stories from Lane County and the City of Gresham, we dig into the collaborations necessary to manage evolving waste systems and leave with actionable lessons.
Key Highlights
- Experiential Learning: Participants will engage with hands-on opportunities to better understand how complex recycling systems function.
- Organics Collection: The presentation addresses the rise of mandatory organics collection programs and the increased awareness of these systems across the region.
- Direct Educator Insights: The audience will learn directly from LG educators' successes and stories regarding cross-organizational collaboration.
- Modular Case Studies: The session features three approximately 20-minute segments focused on waste reduction and local success stories.
Why Attend?
As recycling and organic systems become more complex, it is vital to understand and teach how these systems actually work. This session provides helpful, actionable information through the lens of a local success story, offering a blueprint for those looking to implement similar waste reduction programs in their own communities.
CONCURRENT SESSION: Snack Pack—Navigating the RMA as a National Food BrandTuesday, 6/23, 2:00pm - 3:00pm |
This interactive session provides a deep dive into how national food brands are navigating the complexities of the Recycling Modernization Act (RMA). Led by Louisa de Heer of Parametrix, the presentation illuminates the internal shifts and strategic decisions required for large-scale producers to remain compliant and efficient under new regulatory frameworks.
Key Highlights
- Interactive Engagement: Participate in a collaborative environment designed to explore real-world navigation of the RMA.
- Internal Impact: Understand the myriad of internal considerations and operational changes national food brands must address.
- Critical Timing: This topic is identified as critical for this specific year's conference agenda given the evolving landscape of recycling legislation.
- Expert Guidance: Benefit from the insights of a practitioner with 15 years of experience supporting food and beverage companies through significant packaging data and design adjustments.
Why Attend?
Conference attendees will benefit from hearing firsthand accounts of the challenges and successes encountered by major food brands. This session offers a unique "behind-the-scenes" perspective on large-scale RMA implementation, providing valuable lessons for stakeholders across the industry.
CONCURRENT SESSION: From Waste Streams to Climate Assets: The Oregon StoryTuesday, 6/23, 2:00pm - 3:00pm |
This session tells the real, on-the-ground story of Oregon’s transition from managing traditional waste streams to developing high-value climate assets. This presentation is highly relevant to the membership as it addresses the most pressing economic and environmental challenges currently facing the state’s materials management sector.
Key Highlights
- On-the-Ground Insights: Gain a practical understanding of how theoretical waste management strategies are being applied in real-world Oregon scenarios.
- Addressing Economic Volatility: Discuss strategies to combat rising disposal costs and volatile waste markets.
- Climate-Focused Outcomes: Learn how rethinking waste streams can lead to the development of assets that contribute to broader climate goals.
- Timely Solutions: This session provides a platform to address immediate industry pressures with innovative, forward-thinking solutions.
Why Attend?
Oregon is currently facing a "perfect storm" of rising disposal costs and market instability. This session is essential for anyone looking to move beyond basic disposal and explore how to transform waste challenges into sustainable, climate-positive opportunities.
CONCURRENT SESSION: TSWAN SessionTuesday, 6/23, 3:30pm - 4:30pm |
CONCURRENT SESSION: Putting EPR Dollars to WorkTuesday, 6/23, 3:30pm - 4:30pm |
Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) funding is now becoming a reality for many communities across Oregon. This session is designed to help local governments navigate these new funding streams and understand how to effectively allocate resources as the program scales.
Key Highlights
- New Funding Streams: Gain clarity on the nature of EPR funding, which is a new development for all involved stakeholders.
- Regional Impact: Address the specific needs of the many communities across Oregon that are currently receiving these funds.
- Strategic Implementation: Discuss why June is the optimal timeframe for local governments to begin planning and deploying these resources.
Why Attend?
As EPR implementation moves forward, understanding how to manage and maximize the impact of these new dollars is essential for local infrastructure and programming. This session offers a timely opportunity to build foundational knowledge on a topic that is becoming increasingly critical for Oregon’s waste management landscape.
Wednesday, June 24
CONCURRENT SESSION: It’s Not All Boring Trash: Designing Innovative, Collaborative, Climate-Focused Materials Management ProgramsWednesday, 6/24, 9:00am - 10:00am |
Developing or revising a materials management plan presents a significant opportunity to rethink how communities perceive "waste." This session highlights the recent development of Benton County, Oregon’s Sustainable Materials Management Plan, which utilizes a lifecycle-based, climate-focused, and collaborative approach to materials use and recovery.
Key Highlights
- Actionable Future Vision: Learn about the development of a vision that includes concepts like a publicly-owned transfer network designed for recovery and coordinated regional food waste prevention.
- Holistic Strategies: Discover how construction and demolition debris approaches can support housing needs while maximizing reuse, and how packaging strategies can link materials management with economic development.
- Regional Collaboration: Explore a model that emphasizes formalized regional collaboration, shared funding of infrastructure, policy leadership, and programmatic support.
- Innovative Solutions: This session provides inspiration and specific tools for planners to move beyond duplicating previous efforts and implement innovative actions.
Why Attend?
This session offers innovative solutions to common challenges faced by those responsible for developing or supporting community materials management plans. Attendees will walk away with actionable elements to guide their communities toward more resilient, low-carbon materials systems.
CONCURRENT SESSION: Beyond the Bin: Creative Ways to Teach RecyclingWednesday, 6/24, 9:00am - 10:00am |
As recycling systems grow increasingly complex, the need for effective, modern education is more critical than ever. This session explores innovative, hands-on methods designed to bridge the gap between complex infrastructure and public understanding.
Key Highlights
- Interactive Learning: Participants will explore practical, hands-on opportunities to better understand the mechanics of recycling systems.
- Practical Application: Gain insights into teaching strategies that simplify complex waste management processes for various audiences.
- Future-Ready Strategies: Discuss the importance of evolving our educational approaches to keep pace with the shifting landscape of global recycling systems.
Why Attend?
This session is essential for those looking to translate technical recycling challenges into engaging, actionable educational content. Attendees will walk away with a deeper understanding of how to make recycling systems accessible and intuitive through experiential learning.
CONCURRENT SESSION: Looking North: Recycling Reform through EPRWednesday, 6/24, 9:00am - 10:00am |
This session focuses on the newly adopted Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) legislation in Washington. As Oregon’s neighbor implements these reforms, this presentation explores the potential for regional alignment and the resulting impact on West Coast recycling outcomes.
Key Highlights
- Regional EPR Adoption: Examine the details of Washington's newly adopted EPR system and its implications for local stakeholders.
- Collaborative Strength: Understand why Oregon’s recycling system outcomes will be stronger through regional coordination and shared understanding.
- Proactive Planning: Learn the importance of starting early to build an understanding of key areas for collaboration across state lines.
Why Attend?
With the adoption of EPR in Washington, it is vital for local professionals to look north and prepare for a shifting regional landscape. This session provides the early insights necessary to identify areas of synergy, ensuring that recycling reforms are cohesive and effective across the Pacific Northwest.
CONCURRENT SESSION: Sharing Your Story—How to Work with Different Kinds of MediaWednesday, 6/24, 10:15am - 11:15am |
Recycling continues to face negative national press, making it more important than ever for industry professionals to effectively tell their own stories. This session features several representatives from various media outlets who will provide insights into navigating the media landscape.
Key Highlights
- Media Interaction: Gain practical advice for AOR members who frequently interact with the media in their professional roles.
- Countering Narratives: Learn how to address and shift the narrative surrounding negative national press regarding recycling.
- RMA Rollout Context: Understand why clear communication is essential as the Recycling Modernization Act (RMA) rolls out and the recycling system enters the public spotlight.
- Diverse Perspectives: Hear directly from a range of media professionals about how to build productive working relationships.
Why Attend?
As the recycling system undergoes significant changes under the RMA, it will increasingly be in the news. This session equips you with the tools to work confidently with different types of media, ensuring your message is heard and accurately represented during this critical transition period.
CONCURRENT SESSION: Waste and Recycling in Oregon—A 50+ Year HistoryWednesday, 6/24, 11:30am - 12:30pm |
Oregon has long been recognized as a national leader in recycling and waste management. In this session, Oregon DEQ’s Peter Spendelow provides a comprehensive look at the state's 50-year journey, combining historical context with the latest data to illustrate how the system has evolved.
Key Highlights
- Historical Foundation: Explore Oregon's legacy as a pioneer in the recycling and materials management field.
- Data-Driven Insights: The talk will include the latest data on recycling and system performance.
- Critical Evaluation: The presentation emphasizes why it is important to evaluate our past to inform future progress.
- Context for New Professionals: This session provides essential background knowledge that is particularly valuable for newer members of the field.
Why Attend?
To build a sustainable future, we must first understand the history of how we got here. This session offers a unique opportunity to learn from Peter Spendelow about the milestones that shaped Oregon's leadership and the data that defines our current landscape.