9:00 AM - 10:30 AM

A systematic approach to building a regional circular economy is arguably our best bet to combat climate change, stabilize recycling markets, and reboot the economy. Learn about the importance of building circular economies to transform the way we design, make, and use materials. This keynote will explore how we can transform recycling by building a circular economy in the West.

Speakers:
Betsy Markey, Office of Economic Development and International Trade

• Industries Working Together to Advance the Implementation of Circularity Goals
  Hear from industries, associations and trade groups about how multiple stakeholders are working together to create solutions for problem materials, innovate more sustainable products and systems and advocate for local and international change.

  Speakers:
  Ben Gelt, Cannabis Certification Council

  Moderator:
  Kate Christian, Eco-Cycle

• Policy Solutions to Address Urban Challenges
  Low recycling markets have negative financial impacts and are causing some communities to consider shutting down recycling operations. Low recycling rates are also preventing businesses from moving to Colorado who want to use recycled materials. We have both a supply and demand problem. What lessons can be learned and how can we insulate against difficult markets? What policies can communities utilize that increase recycling and attract end markets?

  Speakers:
  Sandy Briggs, City of Boulder
  Nancy Ford, City of Arvada City Council
  Randy Moorman, Arvada Sustainability Advisory Committee

  Moderator:
  Jonathan Wachtel, City of Lakewood

• Tap Into Grant Funding
  Learn how to find, write proposals and apply for grants. This session will focus on rural and urban grant funding opportunities and consider funding sources such as Recycling Resources Economic Opportunity grants and Front Range Waste Diversion Enterprise grants.

  Speakers:
  Kendra Appelman-Eastvedt, Colorado Dept. of Public Health and Environment
  Melissa Payan, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency - Region 8

  Moderators:
  Beth Lenz, Upper Arkansas Recycling
  Anne Peters, Gracestone, Inc.

• On-site Commercial and Community Food Waste Reduction and Recycling
  Several efforts are underway to prevent food waste and increase food donation programs in neighborhoods and restaurants. Learn about medium- and small-scale community and sector-specific food waste reduction and food scrap recycling strategies that can be implemented by restaurants, neighborhood leaders and municipalities.

  Speakers:
  James Calder, Denver Museum of Nature and Science
  Sarah Jones, Steamboat Ski and Resort Corporation
  Susan Renaud, Certifiably Green Denver
  Christi Turner, Scraps

9:00 AM - 10:30 AM

Extended producer responsibility (EPR) emphasizes the manufacturer’s role in financing the costs of recycling or safely disposing of their products at end of life. This presentation will showcase EPR models and what a framework could look like for Western States.

Speaker:
Resa Dimino, Resource Recycling Systems, Inc.

Moderator:
Kate Bailey, Eco-Cycle

• Make Circularity Part of Your Business Model
  This session focuses on how materials used in your daily operations could be evaluated for circular design, recyclability and second-life potential. Explore how materials flow through your P&L and hear success stories of how businesses are approaching circular models.

• Organics Recycling: Turning a Natural Resource into the Solution
  Composting advances waste diversion and avoids landfill methane emissions. Applying compost improves soil health, which conserves water and sequesters carbon. Additional technologies, such as anaerobic digestion and compostable products, further enhance organics waste diversion strategies. Learn how the natural process of composting catalyzes multiple benefits to help mitigate climate change.

  Speakers:
  Monique DiGiorgio, Table to Farm Compost
  Kerry Flickner, Blue Terra Waste Solutions, LLC
  Dan Matsch, Eco-Cycle
  Helen Silver, Silver Sustainability Strategies

• How to Build a Circular Economy Innovation Center in the West
  Colorado legislators are considering the establishment of a Recycling End Market Development Center to encourage innovation and more robust end-market businesses in the state. This session reviews the content of the bill and how similar innovation centers have been implemented. Participate in a hands-on workshop to explore how we can work together across the supply chain to build a center.

• Policy Solutions to Address Rural Challenges
  Low recycling markets have negative financial impacts and are causing some communities to consider shutting down recycling operations. Low recycling rates are also preventing businesses from moving to Colorado who want to use recycled materials. We have both a supply and demand problem. What lessons can be learned and how can we insulate against difficult markets? What policies can communities utilize that increase recycling and attract end markets?

  Speakers:
  Jonathan Greenspan, W.E.C.A.N. Waste Energy Citizen Action Network
  Cathy Hall, Pitkin County Solid Waste Center
  Anne Peters, Gracestone, Inc.
  Reva Phillips, Southeast and East Central Recycling Association