Submitted by Jonathan M. Rivin, Oregon DEQ

If you’ve ever attended a conference, you’ll know that promotional items (e.g., wearables, souvenirs, etc.) , sometimes branded, are ubiquitous. The intent of these freebies – colloquially termed SWAG (Stuff We All Get) – is to recognize sponsoring organizations and enhance attendee experience. Often, conference attendees are given a “gift bag” containing SWAG. While common for in-person gatherings, virtual conferences did not necessarily put a halt to this practice.

This is a summary of "Hot Topics in EPR: It's More Than Just Recycling," one of Sustainable Oregon 2021's virtual conference sessions. Scholarship recipients are asked to write a blog post about one of the sessions they attend. Thank you to our Scholarship Sponsor Metro for funding scholarships for this year's conference.

This is a summary of "Materials, Climate, and Justice at the Intersection of Food and the Built Environment," one of Sustainable Oregon 2021's virtual conference sessions. Scholarship recipients are asked to write a blog post about one of the sessions they attend. Thank you to our Scholarship Sponsor Metro for funding scholarships for this year's conference.

This is a summary of "Never Stop Learning: Where You Are, In Your Language," one of Sustainable Oregon 2021's virtual conference sessions. Scholarship recipients are asked to write a blog post about one of the sessions they attend. Thank you to our Scholarship Sponsor Metro for funding scholarships for this year's conference. This session was sponsored by the City of Portland Bureau of Planning and Sustainability.

This is a summary of "Plastics Recycling From A to Z," one of Sustainable Oregon 2021's virtual conference sessions. Scholarship recipients are asked to write a blog post about one of the sessions they attend. Thank you to our Scholarship Sponsor Metro for funding scholarships for this year's conference. This session was sponsored by the Association of Plastic Recyclers.

AOR is pleased to announce that Sustainable Oregon 2021 will be held on October 20-22, 2021. We are seeking passionate and effective storytellers who would like to share their innovations, solutions, and stories of change. The annual AOR conference is an opportunity for new and old colleagues in the recycling, waste prevention and sustainable materials management industries to connect about ideas, learn what’s on the horizon, and be inspired. 

AOR is seeking proposals for conference sessions and workshops for Sustainable Oregon 2020, AOR’s 42nd annual conference, which will be held June 10th - 12th at the Salishan Resort in Gleneden Beach, Oregon. Proposals are due 9/25, and will be decided on by our Conference Planning Committee. Selected proposals will be selected and speakers notified no later than December 13, 2019.

SUBMIT YOUR PROPOSAL

This summary is provided by Laura Gumpert, 2019 AOR Conference Scholarship Recipient

AOR will hold board elections at the annual member meeting at Sustainable Oregon 2019 during lunch on Thursday, June 20. Several positions are up for election: Education Chair, Fundraising Chair, Legislative Chair, Markets Chair, and Treasurer.