The IRC is pleased to announce that our 30th Annual Conference and Trade Show, held June 10-12, 2019 at the Marriott East Hotel in Indianapolis, was an overwhelming success! The Conference was attended by over 280 recycling stakeholders representing a variety of fields and expertise in waste reduction. Over the course of two jam-packed days of informative sessions, conference attendees learned about the latest developments, market conditions, model programs and best practices, and local success stories in the waste reduction, reuse, recycling, and composting industries. Waste professionals, local and state government representatives, community leaders, educators, students, and business owners from all backgrounds formed new connections through the Conference’s multiple networking opportunities.

By the Numbers

  • Over 280 Attendees
  • 56 Speakers & Moderators
  • 39 Exhibitors
  • 13 Sessions
  • 10 Student Scholarship Recipients
  • 6 States (Indiana, Ohio, Wisconsin, Illinois, Tennessee, North Carolina)
  • 3 Days
  • 1 Goal: to strengthen Indiana’s circular economy

CONFERENCE PROGRAM
CONFERENCE PHOTOS
ATTENDEE LIST

A huge thank you to all who attended The Community Recycling Workshop, Opening Night Reception, Indiana Food Scrap Meeting, Keynote Luncheon, Recycling Recognition Luncheon, and both days of the Conference! Finally, a very special thank you to our Conference sponsors (listed below), speakers, panelists, and moderators, exhibitors, silent auction donors, and volunteers. Thank you for helping us strengthen the circular economy in Indiana by attending The IRC’s Annual Conference! All conference presentations can be found below.

WORKSHOP: Community Recycling: Making Smart Investments for Your System

 

 

 

 

Dr. KEN MILLER, Ph.D.
DIRECTOR | KFM & ASSOCIATES
BEYOND RECYCLING: THE CASE FOR EMBRACING THE CIRCULAR ECONOMY IN INDIANA

Dr. Ken Miller is a consultant with 38 years of research and sustainability leadership experience in the chemical and plastic industries. Ken currently collaborates with Nexant Inc. to develop sustainability and circular economy training for the plastic and related downstream industries.

From 2009-2014, Ken was the Senior Director for Sustainability at SABIC™ (Saudi Arabia Basic Industries Corporation). SABIC is globally one of the largest diversified suppliers of chemicals, polymers, engineering thermoplastics, fertilizers and metals. Ken joined SABIC’s corporate team in 2009 to launch its global sustainability initiative where the focus has been on developing sustainable strategy, metrics and solutions throughout the value chain of its product businesses.

Prior to SABIC, Ken was a global product and process engineering general manager for several major product lines at General Electric Plastics. Ken is the author of more than 40 patents, is a Certified Six Sigma Black Belt and has led an award-winning sustainability product design team. Prior to his career at GE Plastics in 1980, Ken investigated bio-inorganic catalysis at the Charles F Kettering Research Laboratory.

Ken has a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Xavier University, Cincinnati, Ohio and a doctorate in chemistry from Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana, where he is an adjunct faculty member. Ken resides in Indianapolis, Indiana.

 

Craig Lutz & Stephen Klemann | Republic Services

SESSION TOPIC: BACK TO FUNDAMENTALS: MAKING RECYCLING MAKE ‘CENTS’ AGAIN

STEPHEN KLEMANN (SK), MANAGER - MUNICIPAL DEVELOPMENT - NORTH REGION
REPUBLIC SERVICES

A champion of recycling, Stephen Klemann, otherwise known as “SK” in the industry, has worked in the solid waste and recycling arena for over 23 years.He is a Development Manager for Republic Services concentrating on recycling infrastructure throughout many areas of the country.His passion for the waste and recycling industry started out in his late teens when he was slinging trash on the back of a rear load truck.His young start in the industry provided a wide range of experience which spans the recycling and solid waste supply chain from collection, site/transfer station management, glass processing, MRF operations, development, sales, equipment operation, logistics and leadership roles.He is an active participant on recycling committees in different parts of the country and is also an active board member for the Michigan Recycling Coalition.SK lives in Watkins Glen, New York, where he enjoys life and happiness with his wife Sheila, “the mad Irish recycler,” and his four girls.

CRAIG LUTZ, SENIOR MANAGER - MUNICIPAL SALES - GREAT LAKES AREA
REBUBLIC SERVICES

Craig has been in the solid waste and recycling industry for over 15 years and is an active board member for the Indiana Recycling Coalition.He began his career in sales focused on the Commercial and Industrial business accounts.The last 6 years he has developed, managed and lead efforts in the Municipal Services Market for Republic Services in the Indiana, Michigan, Ohio and Western PA markets.Craig and his family live in Noblesville, Indiana.

Water & Waste

MRF & Processor Panel Q & A (no presentations)

  • Calvin Davidson – Rays Trash & Recycling
  • Michael Malloy – Quincy Recycle
  • Ben Pedigo – Rumpke Waste & Recycling
  • Jeff Snyder – Pratt Industries
  • Brian Surane – Vexor Engineered Fuel of Indiana

Green Manufacturing & The Circular Economy

Too Hot to Handle: Biochar, Vape Pens, & Li-ion Batteries

Designing for Reuse in the Built Environment

Metals: Too Precious to Waste

  • Gary Okey Presentation – Recycle Aerosol
  • Mary Stumpp Presentation – The Can Lady Project
  • Dr. Inez Hua Presentation – Purdue University EEE

Recycling Recognition Luncheon & Recycling in Higher Education Lightning Round Presentation

  • Jessica Davis – IUPUI
  • Steve Akers – IU Bloomington
  • Allison Mihalich – Notre Dame

Closing the Loop on Compostable Serviceware

Food Waste, Farming, & Education

Indiana Food Scrap Initiative Stakeholder Meeting

ThankYouSponsors