We are just one week away from ISRI2024, the largest industry event in the world taking place in Las Vegas. ISRI2024 offers incredible networking opportunities as well as seven strategic and unmatched educational tracks that offer something for everyone.
Track Seven, Sustainability, focuses on society’s ability to exist and develop without depleting natural resources needed to live in the future. Recycled materials industry professionals are leaders in sustainability (environmental, social, governance). This track is designed to help leaders learn how to operate responsibly within communities.
Fishing in Other Ponds: Creative Workforce Solutions
Tuesday, April 16, 10:45 a.m. – Noon
Finding and keeping the right employees is always a challenge. Learn how to look for talent in new places, and in new ways from ReMA members who have successfully used innovative hiring techniques and partnerships to fill their workforce needs. Speakers will share stories and tips for training employees from the ground up using apprenticeship systems, hiring individuals with disabilities, programs to widen candidate pools to more diverse populations and giving people leaving the criminal justice system a second chance. Attendees will walk away with practical examples and resources to help their HR departments and managers build creative new partnerships to find great people.
Moderator: James Emmett, Founder/CEO, James Emmett & Company
Speakers: Kari Bliss, Principal Sustainability, PADNOS; Carol DeBellis SCP, SPHR, GPHR, SVP Human Resources, ERI; Mark Hodgson, Regional General Manager, SA Recycling; Stef Murray, Chief DEI Officer & VP of HR, Radius Recycling, Kathleen Parks, Senior Director, Opportunity Enterprises, Inc.
Be a Star Supplier: Supporting Your Customers’ Sustainability Goals
Tuesday, April 16, 3:45 – 5 p.m.
Ensure that customers know about the benefits of recycling and how the recycled materials industry is crucial to sustainability customer success. Focus on how recyclers can support customer environmental, social and governance (ESG) goals and reporting by providing data for environmental tracking, formalizing policies, answering supplier surveys and sharing social impact stories.
Moderator: Christopher Bedell, P.E, General Manager, Corporate Legal Affairs, Nucor
Speakers: Amy Brackin, Liberty Tire Recycling LLC; Tim Ridderbos, General Manager, Circular By Shapiro; Bart Van Cromvoirt, VP Corporate Sales and Development, ATH Mechanical & Recycling
Fiber-Based Packaging Recyclability
Wednesday, April 17, 8:45 – 10 a.m.
The ReMA Fiber Recycling Readiness Tool, a science-based online resource, assists brands (and packaging companies) to begin changing current packaging materials to fiber-based packaging. The tool assesses whether the packaging will flow through the current recycling infrastructure in the U.S., given pressure points in the current recycling system. During this session, attendees will gain a comprehensive understanding of the development of the tool, its advantages, and plans for the future.
Environmental Justice in Action: Collaborative Strategies and Lessons Learned for the Recycled Materials Industry
Wednesday, April 17, 2:15 – 3:30 p.m.
Environmental justice has become a vital component to discussions on permitting, land use and various aspects of our industry. In this session, attendees will gain valuable insights from those who have successfully engaged with government and collaborated effectively with local communities to achieve mutually beneficial outcomes. Learn from real-life experiences and discover strategies for fostering positive results that benefit everyone involved.
Moderator: Brandi Harleaux, CEO, South Post Oak Recycling Center
Speakers: Kristy Ellenberg, Director, Collaborative Partnerships, DHEC Environmental Affairs, SC Department of Health & Environmental Control; Michael Jensen, Senior Counsel and Director of Regulatory Affairs, WM; Jessica Lally, Solid Waste Planner, HDR
Brands & Recyclers Bridging the Gap
Wednesday, April 17, 3:45 – 5 p.m.
Brands and materials recovery facilities (MRFs) have a mutual interest in understanding what drives each other’s operating decisions in determining recyclability. Brands must ensure the safety of their products from point of manufacture to consumer use. MRFs process this packaging into bales that can then be used again, completing the recycling process. Listen as well-known brands and MRFs discuss these issues and figure out ways they can work together to create more recycled materials.
Moderator: Sabrina Dixon-Ridges, Director, Global Sustainability Services, Sonoco Products Company
Speakers: Scott Byrne, Director, Global Sustainability Services, Sonoco Paper; Shannon Gay, Director, Recycling & Environmental Policy; WM; Dan Liswood, Closed Loop Partners, Jason Pelz, VP Sustainability-US, Canada, Central America & the Caribbean, Tetra Pak, Inc; Amy Uong, Sr. Recycling Manager, Nestle Nespresso USA
Implementing an ESG Program from an ITAD/Recycled Materials Operator’s Perspective
Wednesday, April 17, 3:45 – 5 p.m.
As recyclers, and therefore leaders in sustainability (ESG), positioning accordingly is important. This session will complement the general ESG/Sustainability track by focusing on practical experiences of ITAD/recycled materials operators as they respond to client requirements and set themselves apart.
Moderator: Kristen Hildreth, AVP, Government Relations & Strategic Partnerships ReMA
Speakers: Stephanie McLarty, Head of Sustainability, Quantum Lifecycle Partners LP; Kali Smith, Director of Sustainability, Sunnking; Amanda Tischer Buros, Director of OEM Soltions, Dynamic Lifecycle Innovations
Taking Sustainability to the Next Level: Data, Emissions & Reporting
Thursday, April 18, 2:00 – 3:15 p.m.
Explore environmental, social and governance (ESG) reporting and emissions calculations for recycling companies. Dive into the latest reporting requirements on ESG, including new laws in the U.S. and Europe, what customers expect in terms of carbon emissions transparency and what resources ReMA has created to help recycled materials firms navigate through it all.
Moderator: Susan Robinson, Recycling and Sustainability Consultant, SusanKRobinson Consulting
Speakers: Natalie Betts, Assistant VP of Sustainability, ISRI, Stan Chen, CEO, United Metal Recycling; Corinna Kester, Manager, Ramboll