2023 SUMMER FORUM
REGISTER - CLICK HERE!
Recycling Contamination Reduction Technologies in Action
June 15, 8:45am - 4:00pm
McMenamins Edgefield Blackberry Hall
2126 SW Halsey St, Troutdale, OR 970601
June 16, 9:15am - 4:45pm
Meet at Oregon Convention Center
Join AOR for a two-day technology-focused forum and tours! Register for one or both days!
DAY 1: This day will be divided into two parts. The morning will be an AOR event, with breakfast and lunch provided in the price of registration. The afternoon will be a free event sponsored by DEQ.
Morning (8:45am - 1:30pm): AOR Member $110 | Nonmember $175
In the morning, we'll learn about technology and AI advancements in the waste industry and how these are helping to reduce contamination and improve recycling.
Confirmed speakers include representatives from AMP Robotics, Prairie Robotics, West Van MRF, Pioneer Recycling Systems, Oregon Beverage Recycling Cooperative, and Denton Plastics.
Afternoon (2:00pm - 4:00pm): FREE for all registrants. The afternoon will feature DEQ, who will facilitate an in-person with virtual option discussion, "Getting the Trash Out - RMA and Customer-Facing Contamination Reduction." This portion of the day is free, but does require registration for in-person or virtual attendance.
DAY 2 (9:15am - 5:00pm): TOURS ARE SOLD OUT!
AGENDA
June 15
| SPEAKER | TOPIC | TIME |
| Networking Breakfast | 8:45am - 9:15am | |
| AOR | Welcome/Intro | 9:20am - 9:30am |
| Zach Gomez, AMP Robotics |
The Big Picture of AI and MRF Technologies | 9:30am - 10:00am |
| Greg Ryan, Pioneer Recycling |
Benefits of Optical Sortation | 10:00am - 10:30am |
| Eric Chambers, OBRC | AI in Action | 10:30am - 11:00am |
| Sam Dietrich, Prairie Robotics | On-Route/Generator-Facing AI and Technology for Improving Recycling Outcomes | 11:00am - 11:30am |
| Sean McMullen, Denton Plastics | A Look at the EcoLine: Making More Recyclable | 11:30am - 12:00pm |
| Corey Grice, Digimarc Corporation | Digital Labeling Technologies | 12:00pm - 12:30pm |
| Networking Lunch | 12:30pm - 1:30pm | |
| Break | 1:30pm - 2:00pm | |
| David Allaway, DEQ | The RMA’s Multi-Layered Defense Against Recycling Contamination | 2:00pm - 2:20pm |
| Justin Gast, DEQ | Addressing Contamination at Commingled Recycling Processing Facilities | 2:20pm - 2:40pm |
| Peter Spendelow, DEQ | Measuring Contamination: Statewide Waste Composition Analysis Update | 2:40pm - 3:00pm |
| Arianne Sperry, DEQ | Customer-Facing Contamination Reduction Programming | 3:00pm - 3:20pm |
| Break | 3:20pm - 3:30pm | |
| Small Group Discussion | 3:30pm - 4:30pm | |
| Happy Hour | 4:30pm - 6:00pm |
June 16 - AOR Members Only - SOLD OUT!
| LOCATION | AGENDA | TIME ARRIVE | TIME DEPART |
| Metro (600 NE Grand)/Convention Center | Meeting point | 9:15am | 9:30am |
| West Van MRF | 10:15am | 11:30am | |
| Lunch | Assembly Brewing/Pizza | 12:15pm | 1:30pm |
| Pioneer Recycling Systems | 1 hour each group | 2:00pm (group 1) 3:00 pm (group 2) |
3:00pm/4:00pm |
| OBRC | 1 hour each group | 2:00pm (group 2) 3:00 pm (group 1) |
3:00pm/4:00pm |
| Metro/Convention Center | Return to Metro | 4:45pm |
We are looking for sponsors for this forum. Visit our Events page to learn more about benefits and to sponsor!
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS
Columbia Resource Company is a proud member of the Waste Connections family, which serves over six million customers nationwide. We are honored to serve the residents and businesses of the Vancouver and Washougal areas. Our three locations are: West Vancouver Materials Recovery Center, Central Transfer & Recycling, and Washougal Transfer Station. We provide safe, reliable, environmentally conscious residential and commercial trash and recycling services. Locally operated, we value the people, environment, and relationships we share in the community.
The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is a state agency whose job is to protect the quality of Oregon’s environment. DEQ’s mission is to be a leader in restoring, maintaining, and enhancing the quality of Oregon’s air, land, and water. Oregon’s 2050 Vision for Materials Management exemplifies how DEQ works collaboratively with Oregonians to address environmental challenges, such as pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, related to how we produce, use, and manage materials. In this vision: producers make products sustainably, so every option is a sustainable option; people live well and consume sustainably; and materials have the most useful life possible before and after discard.
EcoSort plays an important part in our area’s recovery of recyclable material. EcoSort is a Material Recovery Facility (MRF) designed to accommodate large quantities of items that can be recovered from the waste stream. EcoSort is open to the general public and waste haulers, accepting debris from construction sites and demolition projects when measured at 6 yards of material or more. This debris is sorted and prepped for recycling. EcoSort also receives demolition material from many construction/demolition companies and building contractors in the Eugene/Springfield area.
Gresham Sanitary Service is a family-owned garbage and recycling company located in Gresham, Oregon. We are celebrating 75 years in business in 2023!
K.B. Recycling is part of the Kahut Waste Services family of garbage companies, providing service throughout Northwest Oregon.
The Oregon Beverage Recycling Cooperative (OBRC) is the industry steward of Oregon's nationally recognized beverage container redemption program. We help keep Oregon beautiful by providing outstanding services to our partner distributors and retailers, and to the public for the recovery, reuse, and recycling of beverage containers.
SPEAKER BIOS
Eric Chambers, VP of Strategy and Outreach, Oregon Beverage Recycling Cooperative
Eric Chambers is the VP of Strategy and Outreach at the Oregon Beverage Recycling Cooperative (OBRC), the beverage industry’s operational steward of Oregon’s venerable Bottle Bill. Eric oversees OBRC’s legislative policy and community relations efforts. Eric has worked in public policy and public administration for 20 years, starting his career as a staffer for US Congressman Earl Blumenauer, followed by 14 years working in local government for the City of Gresham, Oregon, where he oversaw the City’s legislative advocacy, policy, and communications work. Eric is a fifth-generation Oregonian and lives with his family in Portland.
Sam Dietrich, CEO, Prairie Robotics
Sam Dietrich first started working in the waste industry at 16 as a driver for "To-D-Dump Disposal." He continued employment until he began studying engineering at the University of Regina.
After graduating he worked as a software engineer before returning to the waste industry and co-founding Prairie Robotics in 2019.
His favorite part of his current role is being able to support municipalities across North America reach their diversion goals while making recycling simple for residents.
Zach Gomez, Sales Director, AMP Robotics
Zach Gomez is the Sales Director for the West region for AMP Robotics. He has nearly 20 years of sales and account management and sales engineering experience, having built a career by introducing disruptive technologies to companies around the world. In fields including collaborative robotics; exoskeletons; vision; and artificial intelligence, machine learning, and reinforcement learning; Zach has focused on helping customers maximize the value of these technologies and driving innovation throughout their organizations.
Corey Grice, Director, Corporate Communications & Brand Strategy, Digimarc Corporation
Corey Grice is Director, Corporate Communications & Brand Strategy at Digimarc Corporation, an Oregon technology company focused on digitizing the world’s products. He oversees content marketing, public relations, internal communications, and legislative advocacy.
Sean McMullen, Executive Account Manager, Denton Plastics
Sean McMullen has been an executive account manager with Denton Plastics for over four years. During his time with Denton Plastics, he's had the pleasure of working in not only the sales/purchasing side of the business, but also quality testing and working with materials and their specifications to ensure the company is recycling material responsibly and efficiently.
Greg Ryan, COO, Pioneer Recycling
Greg Ryan is a seasoned professional with over 30 years of experience in the recycling and waste industry. Throughout his career, he has gained a wealth of knowledge and expertise in all aspects of the industry, from waste management and reduction to recycling and sustainability initiatives. He has demonstrated a strong commitment to environmental stewardship and has played an instrumental role in promoting sustainable practices in the communities he has served.
Greg has held various leadership positions throughout his career, including executive roles in both private and public organizations. His ability to develop and implement effective waste management strategies has earned him a reputation as a trusted advisor and thought leader in the industry. He has also been recognized for his innovative approaches to recycling and waste reduction, which have led to significant cost savings and environmental benefits for his clients.
As a dedicated professional, Greg has always been passionate about promoting sustainable practices and educating others about the importance of waste reduction and recycling..
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