Agenda

Copies of the presentations given are linked to the sessions below.

Program Guide pdf

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(as of 1/11/18)

Monday February 26

7:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.  Registration in Mezzanine
8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.    Lodge Manufacturing Tour
1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.  City of Chattanooga HHW and Mulch Facility Tour

Tuesday February 27

8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.    Registration
7:30 a.m. - 8:30 a.m.    Breakfast in Mezzanine

8:30 a.m    Opening Remarks
Description:  Summit Opening and Welcome

Moderator (all day):  Betsy Spetich, Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality

Speakers:  Betsy Spetich, Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality; Dr. Shari Meghreblian, Deputy Commissioner; Kathleen Salyer, US EPA

9:00 a.m.    History Overview and Celebration of SMP Success
Description:  Overview of the steps which have brought us to this Summit.

Speaker:  Cheryl T. Coleman, US EPA

Expected Outcomes:  To provide historical reference and demonstrate this is not a new idea but a growing effort to share data, improve benchmarking, and use the data effectively for messaging (internal and externally within our state governments)

9:30 a.m.    Demonstration of State Measurement Program (SMP)
Description:  Session will review the capabilities of the SMP including reporting and an exploration of upgrades and options.

Speakers:  Chris Ronson, Emerge Knowledge; Rhonda Rollins, US EPA Region 4

Expected Outcomes:  To provide an understanding of the SMP, basic navigation of the SMP system.
10:15 a.m     Morning Break/Exhibit Hall opens

10:30 a.m.    The Importance of Data Quality
Description:  An overview of data quality and issues related to data collection. Exploring how different states collect their data and contrast between bottle bill states, required reporting states, regional reporting differences, and local reporting data.

Speakers:  Wolf Kray, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment; Gretchen Newman, Washington Department of Ecology; Terri Goldberg, (NEWMOA)

Expected Outcomes:  A frank discussion on how to improve data quality and identify ideas for improvement.
11:30 a.m.     Lunch in the Ballroom

1:00 p.m.   Insights on Measurement and Benchmarking Data
Description:  Part A - Real life examples of how states use the SMP and the data. Stories of state planning, benchmarking and helping improve programs.

Speakers:  Matt Hittle, Ohio EPA; Seth McCormick, Tennessee DEC

Expected Outcomes:  Gain understanding on how various states make data driven decisions. Learn how to Benchmark your state to meet goals and compare with other states. Identify examples of successful data decision making.

Description:  Part B – Session will seek an industry perspective and overview of data quality and issues related to data collection. Perspective from industry on why data is important and how it is used.

Speaker:  Trina Matta, Sustainable Packaging Coalition

Expected Outcomes:  Gain understanding on why industry needs data, how industry makes data driven decisions, importance of consistency, and how does industry use this info to site businesses?
2:00 p.m.     Networking Break and Exhibitor Time

2:30 p.m.   State Level Discussions on Measurement
Description:  Interactive discussion at the state level on data topics: Barriers to Participation and How to Overcome, Changes Needed to the Reporting System, Why is Measurement Important to You? Others as time permits.

Speakers:  Facilitated Table Top Discussions

Expected Outcomes:  Table groups will identify barriers to participating in the national State Measurement Program. Explore how to move past these barriers preventing collaboration. Identifying strategies needed for changes that hold states back from collaborating on their data reporting.

4:00 p.m.    Closing and Adjourn for the Day
Description:  Emcee will summarize the successes and actions of the day. Summit Announcements.

Speaker:  Betsy Spetich, Recycling/Reuse Specialist Organization, Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality

Expected Outcomes:  Provide a wrap up on the Measurement Matters Summit Day 1 activities. Identify and verbalize critical ideas and points needed to bring harmony to increase participation in the SMP identified during the day.

5:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.    Welcome Reception and Social and State Award Ceremony (heavy hors d'oeuvres and liquid refreshment) in the Ballroom

Enjoy A Chattanooga Dinner Near By with New Colleagues On Your Own afterwards

Wednesday February 28

8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.    Registration
7:00 a.m. - 8:00 a.m.    Breakfast in the Ballroom

8:00 a.m    Welcome and Opening Remarks Description:  Recapping of Day 1 and Overview of Day 2 Agenda
Speaker:  Dylan de Thomas, The Recycling Partnership

Expected Outcomes:  Get the Audience Energized for Day 2.

8:30 a.m.   EPA's Measurement of Sustainable Materials Management
Description:  This session will present a review of EPA’s evolving data systems, including the Facts and Figures Report and other EPA reports and measurement initiatives, and will discuss how they fit into the big picture. Moderator: Dylan de Thomas, The Recycling Partnership

Speaker:  Ron Vance, US EPA

Expected Outcomes:  Audience will learn about variability in performance benchmarking for materials management and explore a path forward in performance benchmarking.

9:00 a.m.    Definitions and Performance Benchmarking for Sustainable Materials Management Description:  What are the performance benchmarks for materials management, waste diversion, and what are the indicators of a well-run recovery system? What is the role of state goals? This session will include research on these questions, as well as an open discussion of how performance benchmarks should be chosen.
Moderator:  Ron Vance, US EPA

Speakers: Debra Kantner, EREF; Nora Goldstein, BioCycle; Karen Moore, State of Florida; Scott Pasternak, Burns & McDonnell/SWANA

Expected Outcomes:  Audience will learn about variability in performance benchmarking for materials management and explore a path forward in performance benchmarking.
10:15 a.m.     Morning Break with Exhibitors

10:45 a.m    Measurement of Recycling from a Nationwide Perspective
Description:  This session will offer a look at how various groups measure the performance of the U.S. recycling system, including the Sustainable Packaging Coalition’s Centralized Study on Availability of Recycling and The Recycling Partnership’s State of Curbside Report. The session will also review recent research on MRFs and feature an example of how commodity groups measure material recovery.

Moderator:  Trina Matta, Sustainable Packaging Coalition

Speakers:  Adam Gendell, Sustainable Packaging Coalition; Cody Marshall, The Recycling Partnership; Jerry Powell, Resource Recycling; Nina Butler, Moore Recycling

Expected Outcomes:  Audience will gain understanding of existing national reports on recycling performance.
12:00 p.m.     Lunch in the Ballroom Speaker: Nicole Smith, Coca-Cola North America

1:00 p.m.      Innovative Tools for Measuring Local Recycling Performance
Description:  This session will focus on emerging ways to measure community-level recycling performance, including a discussion of the idea of capture rates and how it can be applied to curbside programs, a look at Re-TRAC Connect’s Municipal Measurement Program, and an example of how a state reporting system can help improve and expand local programs. Moderator:  Rob Taylor, The Recycling Partnership

Speakers:   Cody Marshall, The Recycling Partnership; Rick Penner, Re-TRAC Connect; Wendy G. Worley, NC Division of Environmental Assistance & Customer Service; Kanika Greenlee, City of Atlanta

Expected Outcomes:  Audience will learn about the variety of ways to measure recycling program performance.

2:15 p.m.  Measuring the Economic Impacts of Recycling
Description: This session will look at the methodologies of how recycling’s contribution to the economy has been measured and the results of some leading studies in measuring recycling’s economic impact.

Moderator:  Will Sagar, SERDC

Speakers:  Scott Pasternak, Burns & McDonnell; Will Sagar, SERDC; Joe Pickard, ISRI; James Goldstein, The Tellus Institute 

Expected Outcomes:  Audience will learn about the variety of ways to measure recycling program performance.
3:30 p.m.     Afternoon Break with Exhibitors

3:45 p.m.   Looking Beyond Tons Description: This session will share how Life Cycle Analyses and other non-tonnage methods can be used to measure the impacts of materials management. We will begin with an introduction to LCAs, and then share examples of how these methods have been used in materials management programs.
Moderator:  Dylan de Thomas, The Recycling Partnership

Speakers:  Dieter Eckels, Cascadia Consulting; Rob Hallenbeck, Waste Management; Martin Brown, Oregon DEQ

Expected Outcomes:  Audience will learn about the pros and cons of LCA and other non-tonnage measures.

5:00 p.m.    Closing and Adjourn for the Day
Description:  Emcee will summarize the successes and actions of the day. Summit Announcements.

 Speaker:  Dylan de Thomas, The Recycling Partnership
6:00 p.m.    Networking Reception held at the Tennessee Aquarium (heavy hors d'oeuvres) Free city shuttle service is provided directly outside the hotel on an ongoing rotation (about every 5 minutes) daily until 11:00 pm.

Thursday March 1

8:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.    Registration
7:00 a.m. - 8:00 a.m.    Breakfast in the Mezzanine

8:00 a.m.   Final Day Welcome and Preview of Day 3 Agenda
Description: Recap Highlights of the First and Second Days and Review Agenda for Day 3.

Moderator for the Day:  Dylan de Thomas, The Recycling Partnership

8:15 a.m.    Panel Discussion on Advancing Materials Management Measurement
Description: A panel discussion framing challenges and opportunities for improving Sustainable Materials Management, vision and priorities.  Input on how stakeholders can get organized to improve measurement and data collection.

Panelists: McKenna Morrigan, Cascadia Consulting;  Ron Vance, U.S. EPA; Samantha McBride, New York City Department of Sanitation; Karen Moore, Florida Department of Environmental Protection 

Expected Outcomes:  To develop a plan of action that will identify next steps, identify interested parties, and set into action a process to achieve the goals established by this Summit.

8:45 a.m.    Discussion of Advancing Community Level Data
Description: Small table breakouts addressing critical questions with guided moderation.  Report-outs and general discussion.

Expected Outcomes:  To develop a plan of action that will identify next steps, identify interested parties, and set into action a process to achieve the goals established by this Summit.
10:10 a.m      Morning Break

10:30 a.m.    Discussion of Advancing State and National Level Data
Description:  Small table breakouts addressing critical questions with guided moderation.  Report-outs and general discussion.

Expected Outcomes:  To develop a plan of action that will identify next steps, identify interested parties, and set into action a process to achieve the goals established by this Summit.

12:00 p.m.   Closing Remarks
Description:  Brief Recap of accomplishments, recognition of participants, and Saying Good Bye’s

Speakers:  Cheryl T. Coleman, US EPA; Will Sagar, SERDC

Conference Adjourns at 12:30 p.m.