Schedule of Events
Exhibit Hall Hours
Wednesday, October 15 – 12:30 PM – 6:30 PM
Thursday, October 16 – 7:30 AM – 2:45 PM
Times, sessions and speakers are subject to change.
9:00 AM – 6:30 PM
Registration Open
Regency Ballroom Foyer
9:00 AM – 10:00 AM
Welcome Refreshments
Crystal Ballroom Foyer
Sponsored By
10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Textile Workshop
Crystal Ballroom AB
Moderator
Jessica Franken
Government Affairs Director, Secondary Materials and Recycled Textiles Association (SMART)
View Bio
11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Workshop: EPR's Impact on the Recycling Industry (additional fee required)
Crystal Ballroom AB
In this workshop, experts will provide a brief overview of EPR laws in the U.S., from responsible end markets to key compliance requirements to how EPR is affecting the entire recycling sector.
12:00 PM – 1:15 PM
Networking lunch in exhibit hall
Regency Ballroom
Sponsored By
1:15 PM – 2:45 PM
Opening Keynote
Crystal Ballroom AB
Sponsored By
2:45 PM – 3:15 PM
Networking break in exhibit hall
Regency Ballroom
Sponsored By
3:15 PM – 4:30 PM
From A to B: The Outlook for Transportation
Crystal Ballroom AB
After the rise and fall of freight rates since the pandemic, the transportation market, like many others, is in wait-and-see mode as it awaits the impact of trade policies and tariffs. In this session, experts examine the transportation landscape and where it might be heading in 2026.
4:30 PM – 6:00 PM
Networking Reception in exhibit hall
Regency Ballroom
Sponsored By
7:30 AM – 5:30 PM
Registration Open
Regency Ballroom Foyer
7:30 AM – 8:30 AM
Continental breakfast in exhibit hall
Regency Ballroom
8:30 AM – 9:45 AM
EPR in Action: State Updates
Crystal Ballroom AB
Sponsored By
Extended producer responsibility (EPR) is gaining more traction across the U.S., but how is the movement really unfolding? In this session, industry experts highlight recent state developments and what they mean for producers, recyclers and policymakers.
9:45 AM – 10:15 AM
EPR at a Crossroads: Protecting Recycling, Addressing Batteries
Crystal Ballroom AB
Sponsored By
Packaging EPR has failed to improve recycling rates and has led to higher costs for consumers. In this session, you'll learn about the National Waste & Recycling Association's support for practical, uniform battery recovery programs that both reduce fire risks within the industry and increase the recovery of critical materials. The session will also highlight the National Waste & Recycling Foundation's national battery PSA campaign in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service, featuring Woodsy Owl.
10:15 AM – 10:45 AM
Networking refreshment break in exhibit hall
Regency Ballroom
Sponsored By
10:45 AM – 12:00 PM
PSI Session: Specification - Past, Present, Future
Crystal Ballroom AB
How the specifications have evolved as the industry has evolved. past psi presidents or spec committee chairman speak about milestone changes over the years and what drove that, how the specifications work to support the industry.10:45 AM – 12:00 PM
Advances in Film Recycling
Crystal Ballroom C
Plastic film is widely used in industrial and consumer packaging, yet it poses various challenges for recyclers. Despite that, a number of new and upgraded recycling plants are targeting this material, whether for mechanical or chemical recycling. In this session, we take a closer look at these operations and delve into new data on plastic film recycling.
12:00 PM – 1:15 PM
Networking lunch in exhibit hall
Regency Ballroom
Sponsored By
1:15 PM – 2:15 PM
Trends in Packaging Innovation: The Challenge of Reaching Sustainability Goals
Crystal Ballroom AB
Sponsored By
Innovation in packaging design and development has ramped up in recent years as a result of brand owners’ commitment to more sustainable packaging. With goals such as reducing use of virgin plastic, improving recyclability and the like, many new package types have been tested and introduced and many have not worked out. This session reviews wins and challenges in packaging innovation and identifies effective approaches.
1:15 PM – 2:15 PM
Small But Mighty: Collaborating for Small Format Packaging Recovery
Crystal Ballroom C
Small format packaging like aluminum pods, plastic caps and paper wrappers often evade sorting or contaminate recycling streams, reducing quality and increasing costs. With EPR expanding, recovery of these materials is necessary. The new Small Format Coalition brings together brands, recyclers, glass processors and waste management and MRF operators to improve recovery infrastructure, develop actionable data and promote smarter packaging design. Learn more about the coalition and how you can get involved.
2:15 PM – 2:30 PM
Networking refreshment break
Regency Ballroom
Sponsored By
2:30 PM – 3:45 PM
OCC and Mixed Paper Markets
Crystal Ballroom AB
Sponsored By
Dive into the dynamics of recovered paper markets in this informative session. From OCC to high-grade recovered paper to the shifting landscape of exports, you'll learn about current market drivers, trends and demand.
2:30 PM – 3:45 PM
Recovered Plastics Markets
Crystal Ballroom C
Plastic recyclers face many challenges, including competition from low-priced off-spec and virgin material. In this session, representatives from companies specializing in PET, HDPE and PP recycling explain how they contend with this issue and others while also offering insight into supply and demand trends and whether new extended producer responsibility laws can help in either of these areas.
2:30 PM
Exhibit Hall Closes
Regency Ballroom
3:45 PM – 4:00 PM
Networking Refreshment Break
Regency Ballroom
4:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Where is MRF Tech Going?
Crystal Ballroom AB
Sponsored By
Explore how AI, robotics and automation are making material recovery facilities (MRFs) more efficient and effective. In this session, industry leaders highlight key innovations and future trends.
