Conference Program Overview
WasteExpo’s conference program is your professional development opportunity of the year! The education and training that you’ll receive is guaranteed to sharpen your skills to help you do your job better. WasteExpo’s conference program is unparalleled.
The WasteExpo Spotlight Sessions are some of the most attended sessions at WasteExpo – why, you may ask? Because of the insight-packed sessions that allow attendees to explore top industry trends for FREE!
CEO Interview: One-on-one Chat with Worthing Jackman, President & CEO, Waste Connections
Join Worthing Jackman President and CEO of Waste Connections, for a fireside chat with Darrell Smith, President and CEO of NWRA. The two will discuss leadership, business insights, industry issues and much more. Jackman, who has been a part of Waste Connections since its inception in 1997 as its investment banker, was named CEO of the company in July 2019. Attendees will hear first-hand from Jackman about his rise to CEO of the third-largest waste management company in the U.S., where we stand as an industry
and where we might be headed in the future.
Broken Phones and Used Cars: the Future of Recycling and Reuse Becomes the Past
Adam Minter returns to WasteExpo to take a deep dive into how the world of reuse is quietly being transformed by one of the oldest retail models: the used car lot. In his presentation, Minter will use his signature combination of photos and anecdotes to lay out how some of the world's biggest retailers are nudging consumers into rethinking waste and recycling, and setting up new forms of competition for traditional recyclers.
Speaker: Adam Minter, Asia-based columnist and Author, “Secondhand:
Travels in the New Global Garage Sale,” Bloomberg Opinion
The Waste & Recycling Industry Employment Outlook
The National Waste & Recycling Association Women’s Council leverages unique access to bring together the industry’s most influential human resource leaders. This expert panel will share their collective knowledge on topics such as talent acquisition, workforce development, employee retention, diversity and inclusion, working amid COVID-19 and more.
Speakers:
Heather Stalvey, Vice President, Human Resources and Administration, Environmental Solutions Group
Eric Bostian, Director of Human Resources, Rumpke Waste & Recycling
Amanda Mickelson, Vice President, Human Resources, McNeilus Truck & Manufacturing
Shweta Kurvey-Mishra, Vice President, Organizational and Talent Development, Waste Management
Moderated by: Kathy Trent, Senior Public Affairs Manager, Waste Management
Opportunities & Challenges of Refuse Fleet Electrification – What We’ve Learned
Fleet electrification is on the rise. Lofty goals have been set. Large orders have been placed. Pilot and beta programs have rolled out in a handful of U.S. cities. We first broached this topic during WasteExpo Together Online with a handful of manufacturers and city sanitation representatives from Los Angeles and New York. Much was discussed—assessment of needs, infrastructure support and impact, truck features, battery life, multipurpose trucks—the list continues. Join this lively discussion to hear what New York and Los Angeles have learned since we last talked to them. Their insight and answers to your questions will help you on your pathway to fleet electrification.
Speakers:
Rocco DiRico, Deputy Commissioner, NYC Department of Sanitation (DSNY)
Robert Potter, Sanitation Solid Resource Manager II, Los Angeles Sanitation and Environment (LASAN), City of Los Angeles
Moderated by: Andy Campbell, Supplier Development Supervisor, Sourcewell
2021 Conference Tracks include:
- Operations, Fleet & Safety
- Recycling & Landfill
- Business Insights & Policy
- Technology & Innovation
- and more!
Audience favorites returning in 2021 include:
- Rising Leaders Talk Trash: 2021 Waste360 40 Under 40 award winners and rising leaders will share their perspective on where the waste industry is headed. They will also discuss the biggest challenges and opportunities facing the waste industry, how they got their start in the industry, current projects and initiatives they are working on, how they see the industry changing and more.
- People's Choice Session- Legislative Updates by Region: “Move Over” laws, climate change, recycling, extended producer responsibility (EPR), per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), cannabis waste—the list goes on. Join this panel of experts to find out the latest legislation updates in each region across the U.S. and what you should have on your radar for 2021 and beyond. Also, learn how the results of the 2020 elections are having an effect on the waste and recycling industry.
- Speakers:
Kenya Cory, President, Public Affairs Consultants, Inc.
Andy Moss, Government Affairs Manager, Waste Connections
Eric Potashner, Vice President and Senior Director, Recology
Moderator: Scott Hutchings, Director of Government Affairs, Waste Management
- Speakers:
With Nothing Wasted! we're creating an open forum for new ideas. So, get ready to hear inspired talks from a wide array of thought leaders and visionaries! In each session, you'll hear from three to four thought leaders, visionaries, seekers and seers—who'll share impactful, inspirational, influential, or even provocative ideas. You'll walk away with powerful ideas and perspectives that will make you a more thoughtful and creative problem-solver on the job. Don't miss this chance to think about the waste industry in brand new ways!
NothingWasted! The Future of Recycling – Lessons Learned from the Past
As we strive to take recycling to new heights, remembering the industry’s roots is more important than ever. Join this session to find out the true meaning of recycling, what successful recycling systems have had in common and how we can apply historical knowledge to our future recycling industry. Hear a vibrant introduction of the major twists and turns in recycling’s evolution over centuries, as well as a current overview of recycling in the U.S., followed by a rich discussion among experts as they share their insights into where recycling could be headed. You won’t be able to find this unique perspective anywhere else!
NothingWasted! Unique Beginnings
Glitz and glamour and waste and recycling don’t often go hand in hand—so how is it that folks get into the waste and recycling industry? Two industry veterans share their unique success stories of how they made their way into the waste industry and got to where they are today. Larry D. Henk, who was inducted into the NWRA Hall of Fame in 2018, worked for Allied Waste Industries, Capital Environmental Resources and more, and he helped complete more than 300 acquisitions. David W. Slager, who has been in the industry for about 50 years, built up his industry experience working at Calumet Waste Systems, Illiana Disposal and National Scavenger before launching Chicago Disposal, Arizona Waste Services, Environmental Waste Services and several other businesses. Find out more about their exciting careers in this session.
NothingWasted! War on Plastics
Plastic continues to be a hot topic. With new bans, more restrictions, changing markets and an emphasis on sustainability and circular economy, the challenge of finding real solutions to manage plastic waste has become a priority. But there are differing views on how to attack this issue. What are the financial implications of recycling plastic? What are the infrastructure challenges? Is our energy better spent on addressing the root of the problem and limiting the use of plastic altogether? Find out what steps are being taken to address this growing global problem.
Co-located Conferences
New! Prepare for frank talk, innovative ideas, and real action
The tsunami of plastics is here, what now? Amazon has forever changed the waste stream, how do we evolve with it? Textiles and food waste are filling up landfills and causing climate change at a staggering rate. Beyond recycling…how can we all do our part and lead this charge? Landfills alone won’t do the trick. Who’s ready to innovate toward a sustainable future? Let’s tell the story…and talk solutions.
Gain the insights YOU need to succeed
These days, whether you’re financing your business, or thinking about investing in the waste and recycling industry’s latest technology, it’s critical to have all the facts before you make a decision. Over the past eight years, savvy investors and business owners have made the Investor Summit a must-attend event!
Ready to grow your business?
The Waste360 Business Leadership Forum, hosted by Comerica, is designed for small to midsized environmental services companies looking for business and financial strategies that go beyond day-to-day operations.
Find the right solutions to your healthcare waste needs
The Healthcare Waste Conference focuses on the regulatory, legislative and technical issues that affect the healthcare waste industry. It’s the only annual conference in the U.S. strictly devoted to healthcare waste.
Take a bite out of food waste and recovery
Attend the WasteExpo Food Recovery Forum where you can learn ways to solve the social and environmental issues of wasted food as well as means to profit from the recovery and reuse of food waste.
