Sep
13
12:00 PM12:00

Webinar: Environmental Impacts of Food Waste Management

About the Webinar

Presentation Description: Peter will discuss the environmental implications of our food system, including several food waste management systems, through a Life Cycle Assessment lens.

Cost: Individual - $20 WORC Members; $35 Non-Members | Bundle (Includes all webinars and registration for up to 3 members of a single organization) - $60 WORC Members; $160 Non-Members

About the Speaker:

Peter Canepa, Oregon Department of Environmental Quality 

Peter Canepa joined the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality’s Materials Management Program in January 2017, providing Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) expertise.  Peter’s primary role is to conduct and support projects that advance Oregon toward achieving its 2050 vision for materials management, through the application of LCA.  Prior to this role, Peter spent 8 years with Thinkstep, a consultancy specializing in LCA.  Peter holds a Master’s degree in Environmental Science and Management and a Bachelor's degree in Environmental Studies.

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Aug
23
12:00 PM12:00

Webinar: Implementation of HB 1799/Washington's Organics Management Law

About the Webinar:

The Department of Ecology is implementing the 2022 Organics Management Law. Alli Kingfisher will give a brief overview of the law and then do a deeper dive into the business organics management requirements.

Cost: Individual - $20 WORC Members; $35 Non-Members | Bundle (Includes all webinars and registration for up to 3 members of a single organization) - $60 WORC Members; $160 Non-Members

About the Speaker:

Alli Kingfisher, Washington Department of Ecology

Alli Kingfisher is the Unit Supervisor for Washington State Department of Ecology’s Organics Management Team and the coordinator of the Washington Center for Sustainable Food Management. Alli holds an MSc in Strategic Leadership towards Sustainability from the Blekinge Institute of Technology in Sweden. She has 20 years of experience at Ecology working on a wide range of sustainable materials management policies, projects and initiatives. Alli has a passion for working across sectors to find common ground and practicable solutions. 

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Jul
12
12:00 PM12:00

Webinar: EPR in Washington and Oregon - Summaries for the WRAP Act and the Recycling Modernization Act

About the Event:

Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), also known as Product Stewardship, is a strategy to place a shared responsibility for end-of-life product management on producers, and other entities involved in the product chain, instead of the general public; while encouraging product design changes that minimize negative impacts on human health and the environment at every stage of the product’s lifecycle. McKenna Morrigan will summarize the 2023 Washington Recycling and Packaging (WRAP) Act which was proposed to establish a producer responsibility program that required consumer product producers to fund statewide residential recycling services for packaging and paper products. Justin Gast will discuss progress in implementing Oregon’s 2021 Recycling Modernization Act which authorized an EPR system to update recycling in Oregon; funded by producers and manufacturers of packaged items, paper products, and food service ware. 

About the Speakers:

McKenna Morrigan, Seattle Public Utilities

McKenna Morrigan is the waste prevention and product stewardship policy advisor for Seattle Public Utilities. In this role, she advocates for state and local policies to advance SPU’s vision of zero waste and support the development of an inclusive circular economy, including the adoption of EPR policies in Washington. Previously, McKenna was a senior associate at Cascadia Consulting Group, where she led research and evaluation projects for local and state governments related to recycling programs, policies, and markets. 

Justin Gast, Oregon Department of Environmental Quality

Justin Gast is a natural resources specialist with Oregon DEQ’s Materials Management program, currently working on the implementation of the Recycling Modernization Act (i.e., SB 582), including overseeing the MRF Fees & Permit and Certification Programs project. In addition to his time at DEQ, Justin has spent his 18 years in the industry working at the local and national levels for the likes of Resource Recycling, the Washington County (OR) Solid Waste & Recycling Program and The Recycling Partnership. Justin lives in North Portland with his wife of almost 21 years, Terra, their 22-month old daughter, Birdie, and their seven-year-old goldendoodle, Alice. 

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Jun
6
12:00 PM12:00

Webinar: Managing Epidemic Mortalities in Poultry and Livestock with Composting

Managing Epidemic Mortalities in Poultry and Livestock with Composting

Over 35 million poultry were composted in the US in 2022. Dr. Carpenter-Boggs will discuss the use of composting to manage livestock mortalities and disease outbreaks including Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza.

Speaker: Lynne Carpenter Boggs, WSU 

Dr. Lynne Carpenter-Boggs is a Professor of Soil Science and Director of the Graduate Certificate in Sustainable Agriculture at Washington State University. Her background in soil microbiology, alternative agricultural systems, and livestock mortality composting supported the development of natural organic reduction as a human funeral option.

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May
18
12:00 PM12:00

Webinar: What Does Safe Look Like?

What Does Safe Look Like?

Description: How does a composting facility go for over 10 years without having an accident or an incident? Are there way to incentivize your team to stay safe? What does accountability look like from a safety perspective? I’ll dive into what we do to keep safety as our number one value and how we pass this passion through leadership changes. How integrity is factored into our safety programs and how the culture drives the results.

Samantha Winkle, Waste Connections 

Bio: Samantha Winkle has over 15 years of experience in the solid waste industry in various roles including office management, environmental compliance, recycling operations, transfer station operations and operating each composting facility within the past 15 years. Samantha started with the construction and eventual redesign of Silver Springs Organics, transferred after 12 years to Purdy Compost Facility then Hidden Valley Compost Factory. Samantha recently became the Assistant District Manager of LRI and Silver Springs Organics and oversees all of our post collections facilities. She is the immediate past president for Washington Organic Recycling Council and currently sits on the board for the United States Composting Council. Samantha leads the Rainier Division Women’s Network and the Rainier Divisions Diversity, Equity and Inclusion work group. She is a graduate from Cornell’s Diversity and Inclusion certification programs and holds a dual Bachelor’s degree from The Evergreen State College. 

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May
2
12:00 PM12:00

Webinar: Offal: A Not So Awful Feedstock

Offal: A Not So Awful Feedstock

Presentation Description: Waste disposal options have become increasingly limited, costly, and inconvenient for meat processors in Washington State. Hear from WSDA, Ecology, and two composters about how meat processing feedstock can be clean and manageable, and create a high-quality, nutrient-rich compost product.

Speakers: Alyssa Jumars, WSDA Local Meat Marketing & Capacity Specialist; Martyn Quinn, Ecology Solid Waste Facilities Specialist; Ron Redman, WSU Facilities Assistant Manager; Scott Deatherage, Barr-Tech Regional Compost Facility

Meet the Speakers

Alyssa Jumars, WSDA Local Meat Marketing & Capacity Specialist, is working to strengthen regional meat supply chains in Washington, including finding disposal alternatives and resources for local meat processors who generate animal byproduct (offal) waste. 

 

Martyn Quinn, Department of Ecology veteran of 15 years, He provides regulatory and technical assistance to 13 counties in Eastern Washington in his role as Solid Waste Facilities Specialist. He has overseen facilities composting yard waste, biosolids, food waste, and animal remains. 

 

Scott Deatherage, Bart-Tech Regional Compost Facility general manager, grew up farming and composting feedlot manure in Colorado in 1983. Barr-Tech is a fully permitted compost facility receiving all types of organic wastes including yard debris, biosolids, food waste and meat processing waste from regional generators, primarily the City and County of Spokane. 

 

Ron Redman, WSU Facilities Assistant Manager, oversees operations for the WSU Pullman campus compost facility, general waste collection and disposal, campus recycling, bio waste disposal and Surplus Stores. 

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Apr
12
12:00 PM12:00

Webinar: Research to Improve Compost Facility Air Emissions Permitting

Research to Improve Compost Facility Air Emissions Permitting

Tim O'Neill, Engineered Compost Systems 

Presentation Description:

VOC emissions, and their associated odors, are a critical component in permitting and operating compost facilities in Washington State. Default VOC emission factors adopted by regulators across the US, however, come from a non-systematic collection of widely varying source tests conducted between 2000-2010. In this presentation, Tim O’Neill will describe current research being conducted by Washington State University (WSU) and Engineered Compost Systems (ECS) to develop guidelines for regulators and process designers to predict VOC emission factors from compost facilities, and to better understand the process parameters that affect those emissions.

Bio: Tim founded ECS in 1999 which has provided process technology and consulting to composting facilities around the world.  He leads ECS’s applied research activities on compost process dynamics, degradation of bioplastics during composting, and compost air emissions. Tim is a Trustee for the US Compost Research and Education Foundation and regularly teaches classes on facility design, process optimization and the management of odor and VOC emissions.


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Oct
17
to Oct 21

2022 Compost Facility Operator Training (CFOT)

  • WSU Puyallup - Allmendinger Center (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

About the Event:

Cost: WORC Member - $1100; Non-Member - $1350

*If you have any dietary concerns or restrictions, please let the office know.

Space is limited to a max of 50 students. Don't miss out!


WORC is thrilled to announce our Compost Facility Operator Training (CFOT) will be taking place in-person!

Students, speakers, and instructors will connect at WSU’s Puyallup campus for 5 days of in-depth training about composting the Pacific Northwest.

In addition to learning about the basics of compost manufacturing, trainees will hear from experts in the field on topics ranging from soil biology to state regulations. They will also participate in hands-on activities, build their own experimental compost piles, and tour multiple facilities in the region.

Whether trainees are looking to get involved with compost professionally, expand their knowledge of the compost industry, or become a certified facility operator to meet your site’s regulatory requirements, CFOT is the course for them. Don't miss out!

Agenda, Campus Map, & Parking Information: More Information Coming Soon.

Hotels: For any of you coming a long distance who may need to make hotel reservations, hotel options are listed on the training center’s website and also on sites such as Trip Advisor.

Who Should Attend: Compost facility operators & managers, on-farm compost processors & end users, waste management consultants & professionals, agricultural extension service staff, environmental/health agency staff, composting/recycling association professionals, equipment vendors, and public officials.

COVID 19: Please note that we will be following state COVID-19 safety precautions in place for WSU. For any updates, visit WSU COVID-19 FAQs.

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Aug
2
12:00 PM12:00

PFAS & Organics with Ned Beecher & Mary Harrington

About the Event:

Price: $15 Members | $35 Non-Members

Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl substances, abbreviated PFAS, are a large group of chemicals, many of which we encounter in our everyday lives. The problem is that these so-called “forever chemicals” never degrade. Discovery that they are now found in recycled organics products like compost and biosolids has led to concern and regulatory changes in some places. Ned Beecher from NEBRA will provide background information about these chemicals, their fate in organics, and some regulatory responses across the U.S. Mary Harrington of Washington Department of Ecology will then discuss Ecology’s response to this issue.  

If you have any questions, please contact Brooke at worc@aminc.org.

Planning on attending all seven webinars? Save on purchasing webinar bundle. Register for the bundle of webinars. Bundle Registration includes 6 webinars and registration for up to 3 staff from a single organization.

About the Speakers:

Ned Beecher, Consultant and Special Projects Manager, NERBA

Ned Beecher is a consultant on biosolids and residuals management. He was director of NEBRA from its founding in December 1997 through May 2019 and has been contracted as Special Projects Manager for NEBRA over the past 3 years, completing the National Biosolids Data Project and the updated biosolids greenhouse gas emissions calculator, BEAM*2022.

Mary Harrington, Organic Materials Management Lead, Washington Department of Ecology

Mary Harrington is the Organic Materials Management Lead for the Washington Department of Ecology (HQ) where she is currently working to improve statewide diversion of all organics to beneficial end uses.

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Jul
14
12:00 PM12:00

Organics & Climate-Smart Opportunities Through the Sustainable Farms and Fields Grant Program with Alison Halpern of WA State Conservation Commission

About the Event:

Price: $15 Members | $35 Non-Members

Alison Halpern of WA State Conservation Commission will discuss Organics and climate-smart opportunities through the Sustainable Farms and Fields grant program. This includes subsidy options for growers using compost.

If you have any questions, please contact Melissa at worc@aminc.org.

Planning on attending all seven webinars? Save on purchasing webinar bundle. Register for the bundle of webinars. Bundle Registration includes 6 webinars and registration for up to 3 staff from a single organization.

About the Speaker:

Alison Halpern, Scientific Policy Advisor, Washington State Conservation Commission

Alison joined the Washington State Conservation Commission (SCC) in 2018, where she manages the Sustainable Farms and Fields Program. She came to the SCC after working for the Washington State Noxious Weed Control Board for thirteen years, first as its Education Specialist and then its Executive Secretary. She earned her Ph.D. in Ecology from the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry in Syracuse, NY.

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Jun
16
12:00 PM12:00

2 Virtual Facility Tours: A1 Organics Compost Facility & Kompogas SLO Anaerobic Digestion Facility

About the Event:

Price: $15 Members | $35 Non-Members

We will host 2 virtual facility tours. A1 Organics, a compost facility in Colorado, and Kompogas SLO, a high solids AD facility in California.

If you have any questions, please contact Melissa at worc@aminc.org.

Currently, most organic and food waste ends up in landfills. Not only is this a waste of resources, but as those materials degrade over time, they produce large amounts of methane gas (CH4).

Methane gas is a potent greenhouse gas (GHG) and the second most abundant anthropogenic (human influenced) GHG after carbon dioxide (CO2). Methane accounts for about 20 percent of global emissions and is more than 25 times as potent as carbon dioxide at trapping heat in the atmosphere.

The presentation will be about how we can utilize well established and proven technology such as anaerobic digestion to divert organic waste from landfills and use it as a resource to produce renewable energy, while still creating valuable soil amendment in the form of compost.

As an example, we look at the anaerobic digestion facility in San Luis Obispo which has been operating for over 3 years, helping the County reach the state mandated 75% diversion goal. The KOMPOGAS-SLO facility is processing and diverting approximately 36,000 tons per year of the county’s organic food and yard waste streams as well as spent Fats, Oil & Grease (FOG) from restaurants.

It produces enough renewable electricity to power about 600 homes. In addition, the plant produces valuable soil amendment that is marketed to agriculture on the Central Coast.

About the Speakers:

Thomas Gratz, Sales Manager, Hitachi Zosen Inova USA

Thomas Gratz is Sales Manager for Hitachi Zosen Inova USA, responsible for all sales activities of HZI KOMPOGAS and SCHMACK anaerobic digestion systems as well as BIOMETHAN biogas upgrading technologies. Mr. Gratz brings over 30 years of experience in sales and sales management, providing solutions to end users in both the public as well as the private sectors. He has been involved with organic waste diversion and sustainability for over 12 years. His experience includes all aspects of sales and sales management for capital equipment and specialty technology products. He successfully managed the startup of several European Sales Organizations in the US and has a proven track record of implementing advanced new technologies in the US.

Education: BS in Mechanical Engineering, Federal Technical College of Moedling, Austria

Clinton Sander, Marketing Manager, A1 Organics

Clinton joined A1 Organics in July 2018. He worked in the retail natural foods industry creating marketing initiatives, brand campaigns, and innovative merchandising techniques. He is very passionate about regenerative practices, sustainability, family, and giving back to your community. Clinton has seen first-hand the importance and value of diverting organics out of landfills within a commercial retail food environment and the contamination challenges this environment creates. As the marketing manager for A1 Organics, Clinton actively works on marketing initiatives and communication strategies focused on the amazing environmental benefits of compost application and organics recycling. 

Planning on attending all seven webinars? Save on purchasing webinar bundle. Register for the bundle of webinars. Bundle Registration includes 6 webinars and registration for up to 3 staff from a single organization.

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Jun
14
10:00 AM10:00

Avoiding Contamination in Food Waste Feedstock for Composting

Event Cost: Free


About the Event:

The usefulness and value of finished compost depends on a feedstock that is free of contaminants, such as plastic and non-degradable service ware and bags. Unfortunately, it is all too common to find these materials in food waste destined for composting. This webinar, jointly hosted by NERC and NEWMOA, will address successful educational strategies and programs to avoid these contaminants.

About the Presenters:

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May
26
12:00 PM12:00

Organics & Soil Health with Dierdre Griffin-LaHue of Washington State University

About the Event:

Price: $15 Members | $35 Non-Members

Deirdre Griffin LaHue of Washington State University will discuss organics and soil health, including updates from the long-term biosolids study in Douglas County, and the newly established Long-term Agroecological Research and Extension (LTARE) site in Mount Vernon through the WA Soil Health Initiative.

If you have any questions, please contact Melissa at worc@aminc.org

About the Speaker:

Deirdre Griffin LaHue, Assistant Professor of Soil Science, WSU

Deirdre Griffin LaHue is an Assistant Professor of Soil Science at WSU. Her research focuses on the impacts of agricultural practices such as cover cropping and organic amendment applications on soil health and the soil organisms that facilitate many of the functions we look for in a healthy soil, including strong aggregate structure, efficient cycling of nutrients and carbon, and disease suppression.

Planning on attending all seven webinars? Save on purchasing webinar bundle. Register for the bundle of webinars. Bundle Registration includes 6 webinars and registration for up to 3 staff from a single organization.

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May
19
12:00 PM12:00

Soil Carbon & Compost with Sally Brown of University of Washington

About the Event:

Price: $15 Members | $35 Non-Members

Some say that soils can save the world, or at least provide a partial solution to climate change. Others say that our enhanced understanding of organic matter in soils negates that promise. Join us & Sally Brown for a discussion of soil carbon sequestration and how compost impacts this process.

If you have any questions, please contact Melissa at worc@aminc.org

About the Speaker:

Sally Brown, Research Professor, School of Environmental and Forest Sciences at the University of Washington

Sally Brown is a research professor at the School of Environmental and Forest Sciences at the University of Washington. She has a BA from Williams College and a MS and PhD from the University of Maryland in Soil Science. Her research focuses on different aspects of the use of biosolids and other residuals including risks associated with contaminants, in situ restoration of contaminated sites, carbon balance for different end use options, and integration of residuals use in green urban infrastructure. She is a Fellow and former Board member in the Soil Science Society of America, a former Board member in the US Compost Council, was a two-term member of the National Academy of Science Standing Committee on Soil Science, is a member and former chair of the USDA CREES committee on use of residuals, was a reviewer for the upcoming IPCC assessment, and is a columnist for Biocycle Magazine. She was a member of the NAS committee on the bioavailability of contaminants in soils and sediments. She has won the US EPA Clean Water Act research award twice; once for her work showing that biosolids in combination with other residuals can be used to alleviate metal toxicity in situ, and for her work showing that biosolids are an effective fertilizer for canola for biofuel production. She has also won the US Compost Council Rufus Chaney Research Award, the Washington Organics Recycling Council Research Award and the King County Green Globe award for her research.

Planning on attending all seven webinars? Save on purchasing webinar bundle. Register for the bundle of webinars. Bundle Registration includes 6 webinars and registration for up to 3 staff from a single organization.

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Apr
6
12:00 PM12:00

Organics Recycling & the 2022 Legislative Session: A Recap with Heather Trim of Zero Waste Washington

About the Event:

Heather Trim of Zero Waste Washington will provide a legislative session recap, including the recently passed HB 1799

Price: $15 Members | $35 Non-Members

If you have any questions, please contact Melissa at worc@aminc.org

About the Speaker:

Heather Trim, Executive Director, Zero Waste Washington

Heather has more than 25 years of experience in environmental work ranging from zero waste to toxic chemicals and habitat issues. At Zero Waste Washington, her focus has been on reducing upstream sources of waste and addressing downstream impacts, getting toxic chemicals out of products, eliminating plastic pollution, and building on the organization’s signature producer responsibility policy initiatives. Previously, at Futurewise, she worked to prevent runoff from entering our waterways and improve shoreline management practices and policies. Heather was at People for Puget Sound for over ten years where she focused on protections for the marine environment. Earlier, she was staff scientist for the Los Angeles and San Gabriel Rivers Watershed Council and worked for the Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board on water quality standards, regulatory permits, pollution assessments, greening the LA rivers and habitat renewal.

Planning on attending all seven webinars? Save on purchasing webinar bundle. Register for the bundle of webinars. Bundle Registration includes 6 webinars and registration for up to 3 staff from a single organization.

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Feb
23
10:00 AM10:00

End Markets for Finished Compost

Event Cost: Free


About the Event:

Just as with traditional recyclables, closing the loop is essential for successful organics management. The loop is closed with the productive use of finished compost. This webinar, jointly hosted by NERC and NEWMOA, will discuss end market applications and examples from organizations that compost food and other organics.

Who should attend?

  • State & Local Recycling/Composting Officials

  • Civil Engineers

  • Architects

  • Landscape Architects

  • Highway Superintendents

  • Commercial Compost Producers

  • And more!

About the Presenters:

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Feb
22
to Feb 23

SoilCon: Washington Soil Health Week

The Washington State Soil Health Initiative, with support from Western Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education, would like to invite you to SoilCon 2022. This virtual conference will bring research, extension, and production together to discuss soil health parameters at a local, regional, and global scale. The conference will be held February 22nd & 23rd, with sessions from 8:00am-12:00pm PST each day.

Soil health is trending topic in agricultural production and environmental resilience to climate change, but what does the latest research tell us and how can we put it into practice for regional systems? SoilCon aims to address these questions by explaining what metrics are used when assessing soil health, how these may change by production system and region, and management practices to support a resilient soil system. The topics will be relevant to agriculture or natural resource professionals, producers, consultants, University faculty and students, and interested members of the public.

For more information on SoilCon 2022, regarding: schedule, speakers, and sessions and to stay up to date with WSU Soil Health SoilCon, you can do so through their website, soilhealth.wsu.edu, or through Twitter and Instagram.

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Nov
17
11:00 AM11:00

USCC Presents Prepping for 2022: Advocating in Your Statehouse (and Beyond)

Event Cost: * USCC Members - Free (login with username/PW) | Non-Members - $5

Not a USCC Member? Become an USCC Member Today!  

* Members attend for free! Sign up today to attend this and future USCC webinars


About the Event:

USCC members have been upping their advocacy game! Along with the work our Chapters and other members are doing, we now have 20 members who have signed up for our new Advocate membership since it opened this summer. With many statehouses going into session in January, this is an opportunity to hear the best ways to advocate for composting from members, an environmental lobbyist and the Maryland delegate who sponsored the state’s recently passed organics diversion law. Come away with new insight into state policy!

Featured Speaker:

The Hon. Del. Lorig Charkoudian, District 20 in the Maryland General Assembly

Lorig Charkoudian represents District 20 in the Maryland General Assembly, where she serves on the Economic Matters Committee. In Lorig's first session (2019), she was a strong advocate for legislation promoting economic justice, criminal justice reform, consumer rights, environmental protection, and a sustainable local food system.

Additional Speakers:

Emily Ranson, Clean Water Action *

Emily grew up in Maryland, where she cultivated fond memories of playing in the streams and rivers in central Maryland. She received her master of science from Cornell University studying conflict resolution and community-based natural resource management.

* The USCC erroneously listed Emily Ranson's organization as Cornell University. Emily works as the Maryland State Director for Clean Water Action.

Dan Matsch, Eco-Cycle

Dan leads Eco-Cycle’s composting collection and advocacy efforts. He is a former organic farmer and longtime small-scale composter who works at local, state, and national levels for food waste diversion from landfills, distributed community-scale composting infrastructure, and use of compost to sequester carbon. Dan is the co-chair of Colorado's state chapter of USCC.

Marshall Hall, Natural Organic Process Enterprises

Marshall oversees daily operations and event services as the owner of Natural Organic Process Enterprises (N.O.P.E.) based in Richmond, Virginia. Additionally, he provides education to both new and potential clients as well as develops new relationships with sustainability-minded businesses.

Marshall is also a strong proponent for the education about and practical use of compost and its many environmentally beneficial applications. He is passionate about promoting mindful compost inclusive policy, community outreach programs, and non-profits that support local and urban agriculture as well as food rescue. He also serves on the board of The Virginia Composting Council where he works on the recently created Advisory committee.

Moderated By:

Linda Norris-Waldt, US Composting Council

Linda Norris-Waldt is Advocacy, Corporate Relations & Chapter Relations Director for the US Composting Council, and has been in the recycling industry for 30 years, having spent 10 years as the recycling manager for Frederick County, MD. Linda began her career as a local newspaper reporter before becoming a business communicator, 17 of those for manufacturing companies.

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Nov
16
to Nov 18

BSSAO Virtual Workshop

Dates: November 16-18, 2021
Time: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM (each day)
Price: FREE
Location: Online via Zoom


About This Event:

The training will cover best practices of composting within the context of the Produce Safety Rule, with perspectives from industry, cooperative extension, and regulatory agencies. It will include an overview on the Produce Safety Rule and draft guidance to understand the current regulatory framework and requirements associated with the use of Biological Soil Amendments of Animal Origin (BSAAO) for covered produce on covered farms. The intent is to help regulated growers and related stakeholders understand how to comply with the current requirements, provide an update on the status of BSAAO Risk Assessment and associated research, and discuss what it means for the possible future of Subpart F provisions for the use of untreated BSAAO on covered farms.

This training is presented by the US Food and Drug Administration in cooperation with Idaho State Department of Agriculture, Oregon State Department of Agriculture and Washington State Department of Agriculture.

View Flyer

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Oct
18
to Oct 23

Compost Facility Operator Training (CFOT)

Register Today!

Cost: Member - $970.00 / Non-Member - $1,030.00

Class Times: 7:30am-4:30pm DAILY (Actual class times will vary)

Locations for Hands-On Instruction: Cedar Grove (Everett, WA), Dirt Hugger (Dallesport, WA), Natural Selections Farm (Sunnyside, WA), Olympic Organics (Kingston, WA), Silver Springs (Rainier, WA)

This hybrid course combines both virtual classroom and hands-on instruction to meet Washington Administrative Code 173-350-220 requirements for Compost Facilities. While other on-line compost facility trainings are available be aware that not all of them include hands-on training. WORC’s instruction is designed to be engaging, comprehensive and meet WA state requirements. View Draft Agenda

Please feel free to reach out to Vice President, Kaitlyn Welzen if you may have any questions.

* Please note that we will have COVID-19 safety precautions in place during the in-person component of this class. We will send out more information to registrants once we are closer to the class’s start date since governmental recommendations change quickly. Students will be asked to sign a liability waiver and to follow the required safety precautions. If you have any questions or concerns about this, please contact us before enrolling in the CFOT class

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Sep
21
12:00 PM12:00

Marketing Compost: How to Make Your Products Stand Out

About This Event

Please join us for our last webinar in this series!

Susan Thoman will share her expertise and cover various ways to market compost and how to make YOUR product stand out from the rest!

Price: Member - $15 / Non-Member - $35


About The Speaker

Susan Thoman, Managing Director, Compost Manufacturing Alliance

Susan Thoman, Managing Director, Compost Manufacturing Alliance

Susan Thoman, Managing Director, Compost Manufacturing Alliance

Susan Thoman founded the Compost Manufacturing Alliance (CMA) in 2017, a composter owned and operated third party certifier of compostable packaging. Prior to that, Susan served for fourteen years at Cedar Grove Composting as director of sales and marketing, public relations, and as vice president of corporate development. Prior to her composting career, Susan worked for seventeen years as an environmental educator and manager for a variety of hazardous waste processing and industrial services firms in the Pacific Northwest and Canada.

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Sep
9
12:00 PM12:00

Compost Facility Siting and Permitting

About This Event

Troy Lautenbach will cover the basics of siting and permitting new facilities from what regulations apply, how to pick the best site, and how to navigate government relations. A key focus will be building trust and regulatory relationships (federal, regional, sate, local) with your elected officials.

Price: Member - $15 / Non-Member - $35


About The Speaker

Troy Lautenbach

Troy Lautenbach, Partner, Skagit Soils Inc.

Troy Lautenbach started the Lautenbach recycling business at age 24 after graduating from Central Washington University in 1991 with a degree in Business Finance. Lautenbach recycling performs demolition contracting and is a major supplier of substrate across the northwest for dairy methane digesters. They also own a C&D Materials Recovery Facility in Mount Vernon, WA along with running the San Juan Island Transfer Station. In January of 2020, Troy became a partner in Skagit Soils, Inc's composting facility. Skagit Soils has been producing compost since the late 1980's and produces 20,000 tons of compost a year. Troy is currently the Immediate Past President of the National Construction Demolition Recycling Association (CDRA), former Washington State Recycling Association Board member, Chair of the Washington State Solid Waste Advisory committee and sits on 2 local solid waste advisory committees. He is also volunteer on the Chuckanut Health Foundation Board in Whatcom County. He's a lifelong resident of Whatcom County with two adult children McKenna 24, Tevon 21. He is married to Erika (Nuerenberg) Lautenbach and enjoys trying to, golf, bicycle riding, yoga and travel.

PLEASE NOTE: Attendee may receive USCC Certification Commission credit when they attend.

Want to attend more webinars? Attend this one along with six others by viewing our “2021 Webinar Series Bundle“. Click here for details.

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Aug
5
12:00 PM12:00

Get an Inside Look at Three Compost and Wastewater Facilities - Virtual Tour Edition

About This Event

This presentation will take you inside three facilities (virtually!) to give you a full tour of what their facility processes, how it is set up, what technology they use, and what products they produce. Each virtual tour will be followed by a Q&A session so each facility can share their expertise and answer your questions about their facility and their operations. 

The tour schedule will be:

12:00 pm - Silver Springs Organics

12:30 pm - Cedar Grove Inc.

1:00 pm - King County Wastewater Treatment Division

Price: Member - $15 / Non-Member - $35


About The Speakers

Kris Adair

Kris Adair, Site Manager, Silver Springs Organics

Kris Adair, Site Manager, Silver Springs Organics

Kris Adair is the Site Manager at Silver Spring Organics. He started there in 2013 as a laborer and moved his way up as he learned the operations. He attended CFOT (WORC's annual compost operator training) in 2014 . Kris has now been at Silver Springs 8 years and has been in a managing role for 2 years. He has learned a lot of composting ideas prior to working here from his mother who was a involved with a master gardeners group . He enjoys learning the science and the technologies of our facility. He cares a great deal and loves our states resources and is constantly amazed by our rare landscapes. He also enjoys playing a small part in finding ways to help provide a regenerative resource for our state.

Jay Blazey, General Counsel, Cedar Grove Composting

Jay Blazey, General Counsel, Cedar Grove Composting

Jay Blazey

Jay Blazey is the General Counsel for Cedar Grove, responsible for corporate legal strategy and its intersection with business development and effective operations. He is also an officer on the Board of Directors as the corporate secretary. Growing up in the Pacific Northwest, Jay has incorporated our region’s culture of environmental awareness and innovation into his work. Jay is a proud member of the Cedar Grove family—we are committed to providing state-of-the-art green infrastructure in the form of organics recycling solutions.

Jay serves on the Board of Directors for the Washington Organics Recycling Counsel. In this role, Jay helped co-draft legislation bringing important statewide labeling standards to compostable products. Jay also drafted first-of-its kind legislation to help support end markets for compost products including beneficial uses in government projects and city parks.

Prior to joining Cedar Grove, Jay worked as a defense litigator representing companies and institutional clients in Seattle. Jay graduated from Seattle University School of Law and attended the University of Washington and Gonzaga University of undergraduate studies.

Siena Ezekiel

Siena Ezekiel, Education & Engagement Specialist, King County Wastewater

Siena Ezekiel, Education & Engagement Specialist, King County Wastewater

Siena Ezekiel has worked as an Education & Engagement Specialist for the King County Wastewater Treatment Division for 5 years. She co-leads high school programs, including the Clean Water Ambassador internship, and ensures that audiences of all ages learn about WTD’s recycled resources. Siena has a M.A. in Education focused on urban environmental education from Antioch University, Seattle. In her career as an environmental educator, Siena has developed and led interactive education programs for children, teens and adults focused on urban gardening, water resources, career pathways and leadership development.

PLEASE NOTE: Attendee may receive USCC Certification Commission credit when they attend.

Want to attend more webinars? Attend this one along with six others by viewing our “2021 Webinar Series Bundle“. Click here for details.

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Jul
15
12:00 PM12:00

How to Develop a Successful Composting Project - Compost Facility Design and More

About The Event

This presentation will provide information on the planning, design and operational considerations that must be used to build successful biosolids composting projects. Historically, one of the major impediments to successful composting facilities has been the lack of understanding and properly designing facilities to prevent offsite odor problems. This one issue has resulted in the closure of dozens of composting facilities that were otherwise successful. In the past several years, great strides have been made in the design of systems that can successfully contain and treat composting odors such that offsite odor problems are eliminated and facilities can be good neighbors. Other issues such as planning considerations, public relations, operating strategies, compost marketing, and other issues will be examined. Examples of such successful operations throughout the US will be provided.

Price: Member - $15 / Non-Member - $35


About The Speaker

TODD O. WILLIAMS

Todd O. Williams, PE, BCEE, Senior Principal Technologist, Jacobs Engineering

Todd O. Williams, PE, BCEE, Senior Principal Technologist, Jacobs Engineering

Mr. Williams has a 40-year career in environmental engineering with operating and design experience and specific emphasis in biosolids management planning, and product utilization. Todd has assisted many wastewater cities, agencies and communities throughout North America in developing sustainable biosolids management programs. Todd is a recognized biosolids composting expert with experience in the design, operation and troubleshooting of over 100 composting projects in his career. He has experience with new and emerging biosolids treatment technologies such as digestion, drying, pyrolysis, gasification. Todd is the past Chair of the Water Environment Federation’s Residuals and Biosolids Committee and currently serves as the Jacobs Residuals Resource Recovery Global Technology Leader.

PLEASE NOTE: Attendee may receive USCC Certification Commission credit when they attend.

Want to attend more webinars? Attend this one along with six others by viewing our “2021 Webinar Series Bundle“. Click here for details.

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Jul
15
11:00 AM11:00

USCC Presents How Do You Decide? Summit

About the Event

TOOLS TO ANSWER THE BIG QUESTION! - What’s a Compost Manufacturer to Do? Pros and Cons to Accepting Compostable Products

The final event of the Compostable Products Series will give you the tools to answer the BIG question, should we accept compostable products and the fallout from that decision. USCC Executive Director Frank Franciosi kicks off this end cap event. We will hear the pros and cons from composters around the country. The summit will end with a wrap up of BPI’s roadmap and action plan presented by Rhodes Yepsen and the future of compostables as seen by the USCC’s Corporate Compost Leadership Council with Advocacy, Director Linda Norris-Waldt.

Cost: Members - $45 / Non-Members - $95 / Non-Member Composters - $70
* Included Single 2 hour event, Live Q&A with panelists, Recordings Available


About the Speakers

Frank Franciosi - USCC Executive Director

Frank Franciosi - USCC Executive Director

Frank Franciosi

Frank Franciosi is the current Executive Director of both the Composting Council Research & Education Foundation and the US Composting Council. He has spent over 28 years working with residuals management and composting both in operations management as well as sales and marketing. In 1993, he started North Carolina’s first source separated organics composting facility.

Rhodes Yepsen - Executive Director of the Biodegradable Products Institute

Rhodes Yepsen - Executive Director of the Biodegradable Products Institute

Linda Norris Waldt

Linda Norris-Waldt is Communications Director for the US Composting Council, and has been in the recycling industry for 30 years, having spent 10 years as the recycling manager for Frederick County, MD. Linda began her career as a local newspaper reporter before becoming a business communicator, 17 of those for manufacturing companies.

Rhodes Yepsen

Rhodes Yepsen is Executive Director of the Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI), a non-profit advocating for the value of compostable products in diverting organic waste to composting. Yepsen is passionate about systems-based solutions, specifically the synergy in solving for food waste and packaging at the same time – to address climate change, ecosystem impacts, and regenerative agriculture. He has served on the Board of USCC, is an advisor to several sustainable packaging groups, and was an editor and writer at BioCycle magazine.

Linda Norris Waldt - USCC Advocacy, Corporate Relations & Chapter Relations Director

Linda Norris Waldt - USCC Advocacy, Corporate Relations & Chapter Relations Director

PLEASE NOTE: Attendee may receive USCC Certification Commission credit when they attend.

Want to learn more about the workshops and summit? Visit the USCC website for more information.

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Jul
7
12:00 PM12:00

WA's Compostable Labelling Law: What it Says and What it Does and Does Not Do

About This Event

Washington's Plastic Product Degradability Act is a model for compostable labeling legislation across the country. Jay Blazey, one of the original drafters of the law, will describe the law's origins, intent and what the law says. We will also cover potential impacts for composters, how to spot violations and enforcement.

Price: Member - $15 / Non-Member - $35

About the Speakers

Jay Blazey, General Counsel, Cedar Grove Composting

Jay Blazey, General Counsel, Cedar Grove Composting

Jay Blazey

Jay Blazey is the General Counsel for Cedar Grove, responsible for corporate legal strategy and its intersection with business development and effective operations. He is also an officer on the Board of Directors as the corporate secretary. Growing up in the Pacific Northwest, Jay has incorporated our region’s culture of environmental awareness and innovation into his work. Jay is a proud member of the Cedar Grove family—we are committed to providing state-of-the-art green infrastructure in the form of organics recycling solutions.

Janet Thoman, Compliance Director, Compost Manufacturing Alliance

Janet Thoman, Compliance Director, Compost Manufacturing Alliance

Janet Thoman

Janet Thoman joined the Compost Manufacturing Alliance LLC as Compliance Director in 2019. After 14 years in private law practice, Janet joined CMA to combine her passion for civil justice and her commitment to real-world solutions to environmental challenges. She received her law degree from the University of Washington School of Law in 2006 and has been an active volunteer and organizer for many social and environmental causes. She is a member of the Washington State Bar Association and the National Lawyers Guild.

PLEASE NOTE: Attendee may receive USCC Certification Commission credit when they attend.

Want to attend more webinars? Attend this one along with six others by viewing our “2021 Webinar Series Bundle“. Click here for details.

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Jun
30
12:00 PM12:00

Compostable Packaging: Acceptance Considerations and Standards

About This Event

Janet Thoman will discuss: As pressure increases to accept compostables into facilities, compost manufacturers must weigh multiple considerations and risks. The alphabet soup of compostability standards do nothing to reduce the confusion. ASTM? TUV? CMA? BPI? BNQ? Learn what these standards are and how they can help you decide what to do with compostable products.

Pat Kaufman will discuss: Seattle’s compostable packaging requirements: key takeaways & lessons learned. It has been 11 years since Seattle passed its ambitious food packaging law, requiring things such as food takeout containers to be either compostable or recyclable. In this presentation Pat Kaufman, Commercial Recycling Coordinator for Seattle Public Utilities, will discuss the details of the what, how, and why of these requirements. He will also share some key lessons learned and how it is going now that the program and requirements are well-known and well-established.

Price: Member - $15 / Non-Member - $35


About The Speakers

Janet Thoman, Compliance Director, Compost Manufacturing Alliance

Janet Thoman, Compliance Director, Compost Manufacturing Alliance

Janet Thoman

Janet Thoman joined the Compost Manufacturing Alliance LLC as Compliance Director in 2019. After 14 years in private law practice, Janet joined CMA to combine her passion for civil justice and her commitment to real-world solutions to environmental challenges. She received her law degree from the University of Washington School of Law in 2006 and has been an active volunteer and organizer for many social and environmental causes. She is a member of the Washington State Bar Association and the National Lawyers Guild.

Pat Kaufman, Senior Planning & Development Specialist, Seattle Public Utilities

Pat Kaufman, Senior Planning & Development Specialist, Seattle Public Utilities

Pat Kaufman

Pat Kaufman is the program manager for commercial outreach and education at Seattle Public Utilities (SPU). He is the solid waste lead for SPU’s Green Business Program and the EnviroStars business recognition program. Through his work in Seattle developing recycling and composting programs for Seattle Center, University of Washington, and now with SPU collectively for over 30 years, he continues to support projects to reduce waste, conserve resources, and support all members of the community to recycle and compost more. He holds a B.A. in Community & Environmental Planning from the University of Washington and lives with his wife and son in Ballard.

PLEASE NOTE: Attendee may receive USCC Certification Commission credit when they attend.

Want to attend more webinars? Attend this one along with six others by viewing our “2021 Webinar Series Bundle“. Click here for details.

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Jun
24
11:00 AM11:00

USCC Presents Reducing Contamination Workshop

About the Event

EDUCATION BY COMPOSTERS FOR COMPOSTERS - Managing compostables and avoiding contamination before it gets into the compost: working with haulers, collectors and diverters; field testing; preprocessing

The second workshop on compostables will be focused on the question of contamination. This workshop is where composters get to share their experiences and how they have worked with this feedstock or how they worked around it. With Speakers like Wayne Koeckeritz, Cary Oshins, Carla Castagnero, Alex Thomas and Emily McGill. Join the USCC to dive into the nitty gritty of compostable products.

Cost: Members - $45 / Non-Members - $95 / Non-Member Composters - $70
* Included Single 2 hour event, Live Q&A with panelists, Recordings Available


About the Speakers

Carry Oshins - USCC Associate Director

Cary Oshins

Cary Oshins is the Education Director for the Composting Council Research & Education Foundation, where he runs the Composter Training Program, including the highly regarded Composting Operations Training Course. He also oversees educational curriculum development and creating other training opportunities for the Foundation. Cary is also the Associate Director of the US Composting Council where his work focuses on member services, including the annual conference, developing the professional credential program, and industry advocacy at the state and national levels.

Wayne Koeckeritz - Product and Zero Waste Specialist at Eco-Products

Wayne Koeckeritz - Product and Zero Waste Specialist at Eco-Products

Erin Skelly

Erin Skelly is the Environmental and Compliance Technician at the SMSC Organics Recycling Facility. Erin has a B.S. Degree in Environmental Science from Winona State University. Erin has worked with SMSC for the past 4 years. In her position, she monitors all aspects of the composting process, inspects and evaluates incoming material, works with haulers to reduce contamination, creates compost recipes, preforms lab testing, and ensures outgoing product meets specifications.

 
Alex Thomas - Compost Manufacturing Alliance | Field Supervisor and Project Lead

Alex Thomas - Compost Manufacturing Alliance | Field Supervisor and Project Lead

Emily McGill

Emily is Manager of Research and Communications for BSIbio Packaging Solutions. BSIbio is a founding partner of the Compostables Field Testing Program (CFTP), alongside the Compost Research & Education Foundation (CREF). Emily is the acting Program Coordinator for the CFTP, and has facilitated field testing of compostable foodware in both aerobic and anaerobic organics facilities across North America since 2014. Emily's expertise centers around waste prevention and resource recovery, especially at the intersections of food supply, waste diversion, and behavior change. She co-founded and co-facilities Master Recycler Vancouver, an adult education program for waste prevention and reduction, has worked as a consulting engineer in solid waste management planning, and consults on governance and sustainability practices for organizations. With a Bachelor in Bioresource Engineering, Emily has a passion for integrating research, analysis and design to spark systems change.

Wayne Kockeritz

Wayne is an Operator Specialist (OS) for Eco-Products covering the South and Southeastern regions. As an OS, his role is to help implement Zero Waste programs, conduct waste audits and analysis, provide product information, and connect haulers and composters with end users. Prior to joining Eco-Products in the fall of 2018, he was a food waste hauler for 6+ years in Charleston, South Carolina. Wayne earned the Certified Composting Professional (CCP) designation from the USCC in 2019, which helps him further leverage his composting experience and industry contacts. He currently resides in Knoxville, Tennessee and enjoys hiking in the nearby Great Smoky National Park.

Erin Skelly - Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community Organics Recycling Facility (SMSC ORF)

Erin Skelly - Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community Organics Recycling Facility (SMSC ORF)

Alex Thomas

A Wisconsin native, Alex completed his undergraduate degrees in Biology and Waste Resources before working on waste planning efforts in Eastern Washington, where he joined the CMA Field Team. He has been working as CMA's Field Supervisor for the past year. Alex also works a Graduate Research Assistant at the University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point under the Soils and Waste Resources department. There, on top of his CMA work, he is researching the effects composting can have on infectious diseases like Chronic Wasting Disease and E. coli. Alex is happy to have been a part of the CMA team this past few years and is looking forward to continuing to move forward the mission of effective compostables.

Emily McGill - Manager, Research & Communications BSIbio

Emily McGill - Manager, Research & Communications BSIbio

PLEASE NOTE: Attendee may receive USCC Certification Commission credit when they attend.

Want to learn more about the workshops and summit? Visit the USCC website for more information.

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Jun
17
11:00 AM11:00

USCC Presents What Does It Mean To Be Compostable? Workshop

About the Event

Introduction to Compostables - Learn the basics for certification, the history of compostables, and the current state of the Industry

This first workshop on compostables will be foundational. You won't want to skip this session as it lays the groundwork for the state of the industry. With speakers like: Rhodes Yepsen, Ramani Narayan, Norma McDonald, and Leslie Rogers. Join the USCC to kick off the Composters Conference on Compostable Products

Cost: Members - $45 / Non-Members - $95 / Non-Member Composters - $70
* Included Single 2 hour event, Live Q&A with panelists, Recordings Available


About the Speakers

Carry Oshins - USCC Associate Director

Carry Oshins - USCC Associate Director

Cary Oshins

Cary Oshins is the Education Director for the Composting Council Research & Education Foundation, where he runs the Composter Training Program, including the highly regarded Composting Operations Training Course. He also oversees educational curriculum development and creating other training opportunities for the Foundation. Cary is also the Associate Director of the US Composting Council where his work focuses on member services, including the annual conference, developing the professional credential program, and industry advocacy at the state and national levels.

Rhodes Yepsen - Executive Director of the Biodegradable Products Institute

Rhodes Yepsen - Executive Director of the Biodegradable Products Institute

Norma McDonald

Norma McDonald is a University of Wisconsin graduate and 10-yr veteran of the US Marine Corps. Between 1985-2005, she held a variety of management positions at Procter & Gamble, including the development and commercialization of biodegradable/compostable polymers for a wide variety of disposable products and packages. Her team played a role in the founding and growth of the US Composting Council. In 2005 she established a company to build farm digesters to generate renewable energy from manure, and in 2009 merged the company with OWS, becoming their North American Sales Manager for both anaerobic digester projects and laboratory services.

Ramani Narayan - Professor Michigan Biotechnology Institute

Ramani Narayan - Professor Michigan Biotechnology Institute

Leslie Rodgers

Leslie Rodgers has grown with Atlas Organics since 2016. Beginning in education and engagement, Leslie gained solid skills to support organics diversion programs and compost utilization in all scales and environments.

Currently Vice President of Sales, Leslie leads the Sales Team for Atlas Organics. With five facilities and collections services in multiple markets, her team is versed in all aspects of organics recycling and end-product sales.

Invested in the expansion of composting infrastructure and establishing circular systems, Leslie is an active participant in the growth of the composting industry. She is a USCC Young Professional leader, a Don't Waste Food SC Ambassador, a trained Kiss the Ground Soil Advocate and most recently a member of the BPI Board of Directors leading the first Composter & Municipality Committee for BPI.

Leslie’s passion for sustainability stems from years of involvement with the movement through local organizations and community programs in Brooklyn, NY and continues with her work in the Southeast. She is a graduate of Hunter College and lives with her three sons in Spartanburg, SC.

Rhodes Yepsen

Rhodes Yepsen is Executive Director of the Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI), a non-profit advocating for the value of compostable products in diverting organic waste to composting. Yepsen is passionate about systems-based solutions, specifically the synergy in solving for food waste and packaging at the same time – to address climate change, ecosystem impacts, and regenerative agriculture. He has served on the Board of USCC, is an advisor to several sustainable packaging groups, and was an editor and writer at BioCycle magazine.

 
Norma McDonald - North America Sales Manager OWS, Inc (Organic Waste Systems)

Norma McDonald - North America Sales Manager OWS, Inc (Organic Waste Systems)

Ramani Narayan

Dr. Ramani Narayan, is University Distinguished Professor at Michigan State University in the Department of Chemical Engineering & Materials Science. He has 200+ refereed publications in leading journals, 32 issued patents, and edited three books in the area of environmentally responsible biobased materials [h-index 51; i10-index 143, 12,248 citations Google Scholar]. He has graduated 22 Ph.D and 23 Master’s students at MSU.

 
Leslie Rodgers - Vice President of Sales, Atlas Organics

Leslie Rodgers - Vice President of Sales, Atlas Organics

PLEASE NOTE: Attendee may receive USCC Certification Commission credit when they attend.

Want to learn more about the workshops and summit? Visit the USCC website for more information.

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