Call For Abstracts

The life sciences sector, including biotech, pharmaceuticals, and medical research, has unique challenges when it comes to advancing circular economy solutions. This session will explore how companies and institutions are tackling material recovery, waste reduction, and closed-loop systems in laboratory and manufacturing settings. Discussion will highlight case studies of successful circularity initiatives and strategies for overcoming barriers in infrastructure and product design. 

Improper disposal of batteries poses significant safety and environmental risks yet managing them within electronics recycling systems remains a challenge. This session will dive into the policies, infrastructure gaps, and product design improvements needed to enhance battery recovery and recycling. It will also explore the role of manufacturers in making batteries more accessible for removal and replacement. This session may also explore the intersection of battery and solar panel recycling, considering the growing demand for lithium-ion recovery. 

Reuse systems are being piloted in stores, stadiums, and event venues, demonstrating economic, environmental, and social benefits. But what makes them successful, and what barriers are preventing wider adoption? This session will highlight effective reuse models, discuss challenges in consumer engagement and logistics, and explore ways to scale reuse infrastructure. Speakers will share real-world examples of refillable packaging programs, event-based reuse initiatives, and policy mechanisms supporting a transition away from single-use. 

Public perception and engagement play a critical role in shaping recycling behavior, yet misinformation and communication barriers often hinder progress. This interactive, skills-building workshop will equip attendees with strategies to facilitate discussions, counter misinformation, and engage the public in meaningful dialogue about recycling and waste reduction. Topics will include working with schools and multi-family housing, utilizing media for outreach, and fostering constructive conversations in public forums. 

States are introducing new and modernizing existing bottle bills, while extended producer responsibility (EPR) policies continue to advance. This session will highlight policy updates in the Northeast, hearing from key stakeholders on how these systems can complement each other. 

The landscape of sustainable packaging is shifting as brands weigh options like compostability, redesign, and material reduction to meet sustainability goals. But are these changes actually improving recovery rates? This session will explore whether the industry is moving toward design uniformity, the effectiveness of compostable packaging, and the role of labeling in consumer understanding. Panelists will also examine the challenges of aligning packaging innovations with existing recycling and composting infrastructure. 

Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs) are adapting to changing material streams, evolving policies, and technological advancements. This session will take a 360-degree look at MRF operations, exploring cutting-edge sorting technologies, the impacts of policies like the Bottle Bill, and innovative partnerships with industry and municipalities. Discussion may also cover workforce training and new approaches to improving efficiency in the recycling sector. 

With the EPA’s goal to cut food waste in half by 2030, stakeholders are working to implement prevention, donation, and upcycling strategies. This session will explore the critical steps to prevent food waste from occurring in the first place, along with effective systems for food donation and upcycling initiatives. Speakers will dive into successful prevention programs, examine the role of policies in encouraging donations, and discuss the challenges and opportunities in scaling up these efforts.   

Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for Printed Paper and Packaging (EPP) is gaining momentum across the U.S., with various states at different stages of implementation. This session will take a deep dive into the legislative process, multi-stakeholder negotiations, and early lessons learned from these programs, spotlighting states in the Northeast. Panelists will discuss how EPR for Packaging policies are shaping packaging design, funding structures, and municipal recycling operations. 

Consumption-based emissions (CBE) accounting has revealed that the most significant opportunities for emissions reduction lie in how we manage materials, yet many sustainability efforts have not fully integrated this approach. This session will examine how CBE data can influence climate action, policy development, and corporate sustainability strategies for transformative impact. Panelists will explore the latest methodologies for tracking CBE and discuss how businesses and municipalities can use this data to drive meaningful reductions.