Schedule of Events
Exhibit Hall Hours
Wednesday, October 11 - 5:30 PM - 7:00 PM
Thursday, October 12 - 7:30 AM - 7:00 PM
Times, sessions and speakers are subject to change.
07:00 AM – 09:00 AM
LRS Facility Tour (additional fee)
Sponsored By
09:00 AM – 11:00 AM
LRS Facility Tour (additional fee)
Sponsored By
10:00 AM – 07:00 PM
Registration Open
11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Sustainable Packaging Workshop (additional fee)
In this session, recent trends in packaging are reviewed and factors that affect the sustainability of paper packaging are discussed. The workshop covers new package types that, while promoted as “more circular,” are questionable in terms of sustainability. The rapid growth of e-commerce and the implications for shipping packaging will be addressed, as well as changes in curbside recycling in recent years and the implications of adding new types of packaging. Different types of paper packages will be analyzed in terms of how they fare when sorted at the MRF (materials recovery facility). Finally, the impact on the recyclability of nonpaper elements, such as inks, labels, wraps and more, on packages are discussed.
01:00 PM – 02:15 PM
Recovered Paper in Developing Asia: Changes in the Wake of China's Ban on Imports
We examine the role of the Southeast Asian RCP markets have played in replacing the former export demand from China.
Moderator
Mike Belus
Vice President - International Trading & Strategic Market Development
GP Harmon Recycling LLC
View Bio
01:00 PM – 02:15 PM
The Global Plastics Treaty: An Update
Sponsored By
The United Nations voted in favor of a global treaty to address the plastic pollution crisis in early 2022. Five Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee meetings were proposed, the first two of which were in November 2022 and May 2023. We review the U.N.’s goals for the treaty and the approach the U.S. is taking.
Speaker
Adam Shaffer
Assistant Vice President of International Trade and Global Affairs
Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries (ISRI)
View Bio
02:15 PM – 02:30 PM
Networking Refreshment Break
Sponsored By
02:30 PM – 03:45 PM
Corrugated Boxes, Containerboard and OCC: Where Do We Stand?
Sponsored By
This session examines the new capacity that has come online for containerboard and the rationalization that is expected to occur to balance supply and demand. We also look at how OCC and mixed paper demand will be affected as a result.
02:30 PM – 03:45 PM
Chemical Recycling: Where Are We Now?
We provide an update on the chemical recycling investments in the U.S. and their approach to supply and offtake agreements.
Speaker
Marija Massey
Strategic Sourcing Manager, Circular Feedstocks, North America
Eastman
View Bio
03:45 PM – 04:00 PM
Networking Refreshment Break
Sponsored By
04:00 PM – 05:30 PM
Opening Keynote: Opportunity at the Intersection of Volatility and Uncertainty
Sponsored By
As the Eurasia Group notes, modernity is characterized by volatility and uncertainty. In this keynote session, learn more about the changing geopolitical landscape and the risks and opportunities it presents to businesses in the recycling industry.
05:30 PM – 07:00 PM
Opening Reception in the Exhibit Hall
Sponsored By
07:30 AM – 07:00 PM
Registration Open
07:30 AM – 08:30 AM
Networking Continental Breakfast in the Exhibit Hall
Sponsored By
08:30 AM – 10:00 AM
From A to B: The Outlook for Transportation
Sponsored By
The tightness seen earlier in the pandemic in the trucking and container ship sectors has eased, though pricing remains higher than prepandemic levels. Experts examine the transportation landscape and where it might be heading in 2024.
10:00 AM – 10:30 AM
Networking Refreshment Break in the Exhibit Hall
Sponsored By
10:30 AM – 12:00 PM
Polyolefins Market Outlook
Sponsored By
We look at the factors shaping supply and demand for recycled polypropylene and ethylene plastics.
10:30 AM – 12:00 PM
PSI Session: Legislated Disruption
Various recycled-content and EPR laws have been enacted. We look at the effect this legislation is having on the supply of and demand for recycled materials and the pros and cons associated with the changing paradigm on how recycling is funded.
12:00 PM – 01:30 PM
Networking Lunch in the Exhibit Hall
Sponsored By
01:30 PM – 02:30 PM
MRF to Mill: Addressing Foodservice Packaging
In the past several years, the Foodservice Packaging Institute (FPI), along with industry partners, have commissioned studies that indicate foodservice packaging materials, such as paper and plastic cups, pizza boxes and takeout containers, can be recycled. These studies have led to action including further research and testing of material sorting/processing, and discussions between MRFs and mills/end markets on how to increase acceptance of these materials. This session highlights success stories that have used collaboration and communication to identify, test and increase the acceptance of foodservice packaging at the MRF and end markets.
01:30 PM – 02:30 PM
PET Market Outlook
We look at the factors shaping supply and demand for rPET.
02:30 PM – 03:00 PM
Networking Refreshment Break in the Exhibit Hall
Sponsored By
03:00 PM – 04:00 PM
Where's the Money: Funding MRF Advancements
Modernizing MRFs takes considerable investment. Panelists discuss the options that are available to help MRF operators retool their operations to respond the changing market dynamics.
03:00 PM – 04:00 PM
How Recycling Could Benefit from Standardization
Recycling in the U.S. lacks consistency given the variation that occurs in municipal programs. This session examines how standardization could improve participation and reduce confusion and what standardization could look like.
Moderator
Brittany LaValley
Senior Director of Materials Advancement
The Recycling Partnership
View Bio
Speaker
Nena Shaw
Director, Resource Conservation and Sustainability Division
US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
View Bio
04:00 PM – 04:30 PM
Networking Refreshment Break in the Exhibit Hall
Sponsored By
04:30 PM – 05:30 PM
Inside the Modern MRF
Sponsored By
Technology is rapidly changing the way MRFs function as they become highly automated sortation facilities. The business model around the facilities has also changed as processing fees have become the industry norm. Future changes will emerge as EPR evolves and consumer brands want to increasingly gain visibility into the recovery and recycling rates of their packaging.
This unique session will provide insights from some of the industry’s largest operators as to how they see the modern MRF evolving over the coming years.
04:30 PM – 05:30 PM
Demand Growth in Latin America
Recovered paper and plastics flow into Mexico as well as Latin America. We examine the demand growth potential in the region in this session.
05:30 PM – 07:00 PM
Networking Reception in the Exhibit Hall
Sponsored By
