Speakers
Exclusive Insight From a Variety of Voices
The speakers below are confirmed for 2024. Be sure to check the Session Lineup page for all the latest agenda details!
Steve Alexander, President and CEO, The Association of Plastic Recyclers
The State of Plastics Recycling
Monday, March 25, 3:30 p.m. - 4:45 p.m.
Steve Alexander serves as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR, the Voice of Plastic Recyclers®), a Washington, D.C.-based trade association whose members represent more than 95% of the processing capacity for post-consumer plastics in North America. APR serves the plastics recycling industry by providing technical and educational solutions with the goal of creating a greater supply of quality material for recycling and enhancing the quality of the existing supply stream. Steve is also the president of Resource Recycling, Inc., a publishing and conference management firm that produces the Plastics Recycling Conference, among others.
Steve Alexander
Jon Vander Ark, President and CEO, Republic Services
The State of Plastics Recycling
Monday, March 25, 3:30 p.m. - 4:45 p.m.
Jon Vander Ark is President and Chief Executive Officer of Republic Services, a leader in the environmental services industry. He is responsible for leading the company’s strategy of integrated growth through priority recycling and waste verticals, environmental solutions and sustainability innovation. Under Jon’s leadership, Republic has made industry-leading commitments to advance plastics circularity though development of a network of Polymer Centers and its Blue Polymers joint venture.
Jon Vander Ark
Raj Bagaria, Managing Director, GDB International, Inc.
Capital Investment: Options for Operators
Monday, March 25, 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Raj Bagaria is a managing director of GDB International, a leading provider of recycling and sustainability solutions globally. With a family of nearly 500 employees worldwide, GDB enables its partners to advance the common mission of bringing circularity to the plastics supply chain.
Raj oversees GDB’s expansion of clean-tech recycling operations in over 15 facilities across over 2.2 mil square feet. These custom recycling services for post-consumer plastics include collection, sorting, shredding and grinding, optical sorting, washing, and PCR production. In addition to plastic, Raj develops GDB’s expertise in paper and recovered pulp, metals, and paints and coatings.
Raj graduated from the Huntsman Program at the University of Pennsylvania, with a B.S. in economics and finance. Prior to joining GDB International, Raj was an associate at Boston Consulting Group (BCG) and an analyst at Closed Loop Partners.
Raj Bagaria
Kate Bailey, Chief Policy Officer, The Association of Plastic Recyclers
Setting the Stage for Plastics Policies in North America
Monday, March 25, 10:00 a.m. - 10:50 a.m.
Kate Bailey is the Chief Policy Officer for the Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR), the only North American organization focused exclusively on improving the recycling of plastics. Kate leads APR’s advocacy in U.S. states to drive significant new legislation to increase plastics recycling, improve material quality and expand recycled content markets. She is also actively engaged with U.S. federal agencies and the UN global plastics pollution treaty to scale up plastics recycling as a solution to both reduce plastic waste and carbon pollution. In her previous role, Kate successfully worked with governments, consumer goods companies, NGOs and other stakeholders to pass several leading local and state-level policies to improve recycling, including Colorado’s Producer Responsibility for Packaging program in 2022. She is based in Colorado.
Kate Bailey
Rey Banatao, Director and Project Lead, Google X
AI and Plastics Recycling: What's Coming Next
Tuesday, March 26, 4:00 p.m. - 5:15 p.m.
Rey leads Google X’s moonshot for the circular economy. With a diverse technical and entrepreneurial background, Rey has co-founded and scaled materials science companies focused on novel biobased and chemically recyclable polymers. Rey’s innovations have been commercialized at scale across multiple industries like sporting goods, built environment, and renewable energy, including the world’s first recyclable wind blade. The World Economic Forum recognized Rey as a Young Global Leader in 2013. Rey is also an advisor and investor in numerous sustainable materials startups, an industry advisor to the Department of Energy's Advanced Biofuels and Bioproducts Development Unit at Berkeley National Labs, on the Scientific Advisory Board for the BioP2P (BioProcess to Product) Network, and was a Google for Startups Accelerator mentor for the first Circular Economy program at Google.
Rey Banatao
Andrea Bassetti, Senior Analyst, Plastics Recycling, Americas, ICIS
Insight From the Analysts
Wednesday, March 27, 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Based in San Francisco, Andrea Bassetti conducts research and analysis of recycling markets at ICIS. Her role includes, but is not limited to, data collection and analysis on recycling supply. Together with her team, she focuses on maintaining a deep understanding of global recycling incentives and trends to provide a comprehensive overview of the market to clients and partners. Her focus is on the Americas market, conducting this work in English, Portuguese and Spanish.
Andrea Bassetti
Dr. Anja Brandon, Associate Director, U.S. Plastics Policy, Ocean Conservancy
Plastics: A Global Conversation
Wednesday, March 27, 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Dr. Anja Brandon is the Associate Director of U.S. Plastics Policy at Ocean Conservancy working to advance policy solutions to eliminate plastic pollution. Anja has helped draft landmark state and national legislation regulating plastic pollution, including as part of the team of environmental advocates that helped draft and pass the strongest plastics legislation in the country, SB 54 in California, for which she was named one of Fast Company's Most Creative People 2023. Prior to joining Ocean Conservancy, Anja was the AGU/AAAS Congressional Science Fellow in the office of U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR), where she was the lead policy advisor on issues including plastics, ocean and water pollution, and toxic pollutants. Anja holds a Ph.D. in environmental engineering and science from Stanford University where she was awarded an NSF Graduate Research Fellowship for her research on plastic waste management challenges and novel methods to break down common plastics.
Dr. Anja Brandon
Nina Bellucci Butler, CEO, Stina Inc.
The State of Plastics Recycling
Monday, March 25, 3:30 p.m. - 4:45 p.m.
Reality Check With Reclaimers
Wednesday, March 27, 8:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.
Nina Bellucci Butler is CEO of Stina Inc., a mission-based research and technology company. She delivers unbiased guidance on navigating the role plastics play in sustainability. She has testified before the U.S. Congress, served as a subject matter expert for XPrize, and presented to the OPEC Secretariat as well as on other global stages such as the World Bank, a United Nations Summit, the World Plastic Summit in Monaco, the World Petrochemical Conference, the Global Plastic Summit, the World Circular Economy Forum, the Nat Geo Circular Economy Forum, and the Plastic Recycling Conference dating back to its inaugural event. Her team conducts critical research such as the Annual Plastic Recycling Study, develops online resources such as CircularityInAction.com and leads multi-stakeholder initiatives such as the Plastic Squeeze Tube Recycling Project. Nina has volunteered on several expeditions including the Ocean Plastic Recovery Project: Katmai Clean Up, and now serves as their advisor.
Nina Bellucci Butler
Neil Cameron, Partner, Emerald Technology Ventures
What's Drawing Investors
Tuesday, March 26, 10:45 a.m. - 11:45 a.m.
Based in Emerald’s Toronto office, Neil Cameron’s sector expertise is in the field of advanced materials and processes; he co-leads the sustainable packaging practice at Emerald with Fredric Petit. As a partner, he is delighted to be involved in all phases of the investment process, helping young deep-tech start-ups become heavy-hitters in the circular economy. Neil also joins with the entire Emerald team in supporting the open innovation initiatives of some of the world’s leading corporate partners as they achieve their sustainability and profitability goals.
Neil’s academic background is in advanced materials (Ph.D. in chemistry from McGill University and B.Sc. in chemistry and biochemistry from the University of King’s College (Dalhousie University)), but generally, if it has mass, occupies space, is intriguing and creates value, he is interested! Neil is a product of the global village and is happy to commiserate in English or French.
Neil Cameron
Philippe Cantin, Vice President, Public Affairs and Government Relations, Éco Entreprises Québec
PRO Positioning
Tuesday, March 26, 10:45 a.m. - 11:45 a.m.
As Vice President, Public Affairs and Government Relations for Éco Entreprises Québec, Philippe Cantin leads stakeholder engagement, policy work, corporate partnerships, as well as the communications and marketing team.
He holds a master’s degree in environmental science and has, for most of the past decade, been shaping extended producer responsibility policies and programs for paper, packaging, electronics, appliances and other consumer products in Canada.
Atypical projects, consensus building and change management are some of his key motivators alongside his love for his family, good food, languages and travel.
Philippe Cantin
Brian Carvill, Vice President of Research and Development, Amcor Flexibles North America
The New Era of Collaboration
Tuesday, March 26, 2:45 p.m. - 3:45 p.m.
Brian is the Vice President of Research and Development for Amcor Flexibles North America. His role is to develop new products that delight our customers in the market segments that we serve: meat, poultry, and seafood; dairy; liquid; consumer and industrial, and healthcare. Increasingly, that means addressing sustainability beginning at the design stage. Amcor has invested R&D resources to convert our portfolio so that we have offerings across about 90% of our portfolio that are designed to be recyclable. We are also looking to expand our use of recycled content to help create the circular economy. Brian joined Amcor in 2011 and has had R&D leadership roles in both our Rigids and Flexibles business groups.
Brian Carvill
Cherish Changala, VP, Sustainability and Public Affairs, Revolution
Reality Check With Reclaimers
Wednesday, March 27, 8:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.
Cherish Changala is the Vice President of Sustainability and Public Affairs for Revolution. With a focus on collaborative solutions towards achieving circularity, Cherish leads all outreach efforts and legislative oversight within Revolution. She currently is the President of Western Plastics Association, a board member for the Association of Plastic Recyclers and ISRI, served on the Executive Committee of the Sustainable Packaging Coalition and Advisory Council of the US Plastics Pact, and is part of several other committees and associations. Cherish has a B.A. in marketing and an MBA in finance. Her other passions include dog rescue, where she serves on the board of a rescue called Boston Buddies, as well as mentoring and teaching children.
Cherish Changala
Daniel Cluskey, Product Stewardship Engineer, Printpack
The Switch to Paper Packaging: Fad or New Norm?
Tuesday, March 26, 2:45 p.m. - 3:45 p.m.
Daniel Cluskey is a product stewardship engineer working on Printpack’s Technical Sustainability Team to create products approved for the recycling stream. A 2016 chemical engineering graduate of Villanova University, Daniel started his career in product development. For four years he led development on technical projects related to microwavable frozen vegetables, child resistant packaging for laundry packs and single serve condiment packages.
As a member of the Technical Sustainability Team, Daniel expands Printpack’s portfolio of products that can be labeled as recyclable and works with customers to identify the best solutions to their sustainable packaging needs. Working closely with Printpack’s suppliers, plants and external partners, he helps to push forward what is possible with recyclable packaging.
Daniel also serves as a dean for Printpack’s Packaging Institute. When he is not designing recyclable packaging, Daniel coordinates service events with his church, enjoys hiking in the North Georgia mountains and explores new board games.
Daniel Cluskey
Myles Cohen, Founder, Circular Ventures, LLC
The Switch to Paper Packaging: Fad or New Norm?
Tuesday, March 26, 2:45 p.m. - 3:45 p.m.
Myles Cohen is the founder of recycling and sustainable packaging advisory firm Circular Ventures, LLC. He also serves on the boards of VIPA USA, the largest independent seller of recovered fiber globally, and the Pack Green Coalition. Myles has been in the packaging and recycling industry for the past two decades, where he served as president of Pratt Industries’ recycling division and on the company’s executive committee. Prior to Pratt he was President of Sonoco Recycling and on their executive committee. He is a past president of Paper Stock Industries, ISRI’s national chapter for paper recyclers and producers.
Myles Cohen
Melissa Craig, Associate Director, Circularity, The Clorox Company
Design for Recyclablity: Harmonizing Across Continents
Monday, March 25, 2:15 p.m. - 3:15 p.m.
Melissa Craig is the Associate Director, Circularity at The Clorox Company. She leads sustainable packaging strategies and supports the IGNITE ESG packaging agenda and 2030 targets by partnering with internal functional teams, business units and external industry organizations. The focus is to develop programs to reduce, reuse and reinvent plastics packaging across the value chain. Additionally, she leads the implementation of Clorox’s EPR strategy and the impacts to the enterprise.
Melissa has over 30 years of experience in designing packaging for consumer products and foods. Prior to joining Clorox, she held the position of Associate Director, Plastic Sustainability at Unilever; Packaging Sustainability Manager at the Kellogg Company; and packaging roles at Georgia-Pacific and Johnson & Johnson. She has a B.S. in packaging science from Rochester Institute of Technology and an MBA from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
Melissa Craig
Mike Davenport, Managing Director, Huntington Bank
Capital Investment: Options for Operators
Monday, March 25, 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Mike Davenport is a managing director in Huntington’s Industrial Banking Group, specializing in the environmental service sector with subsector expertise in wastewater treatment, municipal solid waste and hazardous waste. Prior to joining Huntington Bank in 2021, he spent over 15 years in various roles with Citizens Bank, and prior to that worked with Bank of America. Mike has a strong background in corporate banking and debt capital markets.
Mike Davenport
Dylan de Thomas, VP of Public Policy & Government Affairs, The Recycling Partnership
Setting the Stage for Plastics Policies in North America
Monday, March 25, 10:00 a.m. - 10:50 a.m.
Dylan de Thomas leads state policy work at The Recycling Partnership, and supports policy development and advocacy strategy for the organization. While at the Partnership, Dylan has worked across the organization, serving as a recycling system stakeholder representative, working to communicate, collaborate and find consensus on complex issues surrounding unlocking the circular economy. Dylan is also active around recycling policy implementation in his home state of Oregon, having chaired the state's Truth In Labeling Task Force, and is currently serving on the state's Recycling Advisory Council as it works to advise the implementation of Oregon's EPR law, the Recycling Modernization Act. Previous to joining the Partnership, Dylan worked for Resource Recycling for a decade, directing and producing content for three publications and three conferences covering different aspects of the recycling industry.
Dylan de Thomas
Fabrizio Di Gregorio, Technical Director, Plastics Recyclers Europe
Design for Recyclability: Harmonizing Across Continents
Monday, March 25, 2:15 p.m. - 3:15 p.m.
Design From The Start: How to Achieve Recyclable Film and Flexible Packaging
Wednesday, March 27, 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Fabrizio Di Gregorio received an Honors Degree in environmental science and technology and a Ph.D. in industrial engineering from the University of Naples. He spent 10 years as researcher and lecturer at the University of Naples in mechanical, chemical and biochemical processes, as well as in life cycle assessment. He was an invited lecturer at the Denmark Technology University and at the Technology University of Wien. He spent two years as R&D Manager at CONAI, the Italian EPR scheme.
Currently he is Technical Director of Plastics Recyclers Europe and Head of RecyClass, a technical value chain initiative. With its scientific-based approach RecyClass is supporting the plastic value chain in advancing recyclability and recycled content.
Fabrizio Di Gregorio
Resa Dimino, Managing Partner, Signalfire Group
PRO Positioning
Tuesday, March 26, 10:45 a.m. - 11:45 a.m.
Resa Dimino is a managing principal at RRS and managing partner of the Signalfire Group. She thrives at the intersection of policy and operations, bringing an operational grounding to policy development and a policy context to operational issues. She has 30 years of experience in waste reduction, recycling, product stewardship, solid waste management and environmental economic development. Resa has worked in recycling businesses and with trade groups, and served as the lead policy staff for the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. She is currently focusing on collaborative initiatives to improve recovery, increase sustainability and facilitate product stewardship. She has extensive experience and deep networks in the recycling policy sector, including NGOs, trade groups and government entities. She has managed and directed multiple recycling supply chain and infrastructure gap analyses for public and private sector clients.
Resa Dimino
Mac Duncan, Strategic Sourcing Director, Advanced Drainage Systems
Can PCR Still Compete?
Tuesday, March 26, 1:15 p.m. - 2:15 p.m.
Mac Duncan is Director of Strategic Sourcing at Advanced Drainage Systems (ADS). His team is responsible for sourcing and procuring all virgin and recycled resins as well as all raw materials and resale items in the ADS portfolio. Mac has over 25 years of experience in the chemicals and plastics industry. Prior to joining ADS, he served as the Resin Sourcing Leader for Greif, Inc. His other roles include Vice-President of Operations for Nachurs-Alpine Solutions, Supply Chain Director for Nexeo Solutions and numerous commercial and operations roles with Ashland Chemical. He is a former board member of the Methanol Institute. Prior to joining Ashland, Mac served for seven years in the U.S. Army as an armor officer. He is a combat veteran who participated in Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. He holds a B.E. in electrical engineering from Vanderbilt University and an M.A. in management from Webster University.
Mac Duncan
Kate Eagles, Program Director, The Association of Plastic Recyclers
Film and Flexibles Volumes, Collection & Processing: Scaling National Solutions in the U.S. and Canada
Monday, March 25, 2:15 p.m. - 3:15 p.m.
Kate Eagles serves as Program Director for the Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR), the only North American organization focused exclusively on improving the recycling of plastics. Kate manages the APR Market Development Committee, Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) Sub-committee and Chemical Recycling Research Working Group. Kate is also part of the APR’s legislative and regulatory team, with specific focus on recycled content and West Coast states. Kate has worked in plastics recycling roles since 2005, with NAPCOR and Moore Recycling Associates prior to the APR. She based in Northern California.
Kate Eagles
Tamsin Ettefagh, Chief Sustainability Officer and EVP of Commercial, PureCycle Technologies
Ready, Set... LNO
Monday, March 25, 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Tamsin Ettefagh has 35 years of experience in the areas of recycling and plastics recycling; from implementing a recycling collection program, to running the recycling operations for a MRF, to purchasing raw materials for plastic recycling companies, to selling recycled resins for plastic recycling companies. She has consulted for agencies, banks and potential plastic manufacturers on market conditions, types of supply and how to evolve and diversify markets for recycled resins.
Tamsin Ettefagh
Lou Fenech, North America Packaging Sustainability Manager, Mondelēz International
Design From the Start: How to Achieve Recyclable Film & Flexible Packaging
Wednesday, March 27, 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Lou Fenech is the North American Packaging Sustainability Manager for Mondelēz International. He has over 17 years of experience in the packaging industry and has a strong technical background in materials and sustainability with 10 granted patents. He is responsible for helping to deliver the company’s packaging sustainability goals, which include designing 100% of their packaging for recycling, reducing overall virgin plastic usage by 5% and incorporating 5% recycled plastic content in their plastic packaging by 2025. Lou is a member of the Technical Leadership Council at Mondelēz, the Industry Advisory Board at the Rochester Institute of Technology and the Packaging Sustainability Advisory Board with the Consumer Brands Association. He holds a B.S. in packaging science from the Rochester Institute of Technology and is a proud father of two. In his free time, he enjoys traveling, golfing and the culinary arts.
Lou Fenech
Susan Fife-Ferris, Director, Solid Waste Planning & Program Management, City of Seattle, Seattle Public Utilities
Plastics: A Global Conversation
Wednesday, March 27, 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Susan Fife-Ferris is Director of Solid Waste Planning & Program Management for Seattle Public Utilities, where she provides leadership and directs all aspects of Seattle’s solid waste planning and program development and delivery. Susan has 30+ years’ experience in all aspects of the solid waste industry, with a focus on strategic and long-range planning, policy development, and program design. She oversees Seattle's efforts to move upstream, increase waste prevention efforts and reuse opportunities across the city, pass producer responsibility legislation at the state level, and support the movement towards a more circular economy. Susan currently serves on the U.S. Plastics Pact Board of Directors and previously served on their Advisory Council. Susan received her bachelor’s degree in applied mathematics from the University of California, Berkeley, and a law degree from the University of Southern California.
Susan Fife-Ferris
Robert Flores, Vice President of Sustainability, Berry Global
Can PCR Still Compete?
Tuesday, March 26, 1:15 p.m. - 2:15 p.m.
Robert Flores is Global Vice President of Sustainability at Berry Global. He leads execution of the company’s ambitious Impact 2025 sustainability strategy. This strategy includes 100% of fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) packaging to be reusable, recyclable or compostable and have an average of 10% recycled content by 2025. Berry also announced a 2030 goal of 30% circular plastics across FMCG packaging.
As a long-time sustainability professional and plastics expert, he has worked with local, national and global organizations, including the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, Alliance to End Plastic Waste and Association of Plastic Recyclers, to foster a circular economy.
Robert Flores
Domenico Fortuna, Head of Circular & Sustainable Economy, Rothschild & Co
What's Drawing Investors
Tuesday, March 26, 10:45 a.m. - 11:45 a.m.
Domenico Fortuna is a senior member of Rothschild & Co’s financial advisory team based in New York. Domenico joined Rothschild & Co in 2014; during his career, he also worked at JPMorgan, where he was part of the investment banking team in San Francisco. Domenico has advised on over $50 billion of M&A and capital raises for small- to large-cap clients. Prior to attending business school, he was a consultant at Accenture, leading on international consulting projects in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. He holds a Master of Business Administration from NYU Stern School of Business and a Master of Engineering from Università degli Studi di Roma La Sapienza, where he graduated summa cum laude.
Domenico Fortuna
Jiri Foukner, Global Business Development Manager - Plastics Recycling, Siemens
AI and Plastics Recycling: What's Coming Next
Tuesday, March 26, 4:00 p.m. - 5:15 p.m.
Jiri Foukner is an experienced business and technology development manager in mechanical engineering for industrial markets and applications. He is always enthusiastic about what he does. When there is a chance to bring in new ideas or go for new challenges, it is his nature to be first involved.
Jiri Foukner
Emily Friedman, Recycled Plastics Senior Editor, Americas, ICIS
Insight From the Analysts
Wednesday, March 27, 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Emily Friedman is an experienced sustainability leader and market editor, driven by a passion for people and the planet. In her current role, she exposes market trends and provides thought leadership for the North American recycled plastics industry. Prior to ICIS, Emily was a corrosion expert and reliability engineer at ExxonMobil, serving both refining and petrochemical operations.
She holds a degree in materials science and engineering from Virginia Tech and resides in Houston, TX. Emily has been recognized by the Society of Women Engineers for her extraordinary commitment to inclusion and diversity.
Emily Friedman
Blake Gordon, General Manager of Digital Trading, Georgia-Pacific Recycling
Commodity Trading Goes Digital
Monday, March 25, 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
As the General Manager of Digital Trading at Georgia-Pacific Recycling, Blake Gordon leads customer experience and commercial excellence initiatives. With a tenured background in innovation - from corporates to startups - Blake and his team navigate the evolving landscape, foster internal and external growth, and ultimately ensure Georgia-Pacific Recycling remains at the forefront of sustainable business practices.
Blake’s career trademark has been a relentless commitment to customer satisfaction and the development of strategic solutions that directly address their needs. Today, that looks like spearheading digital trading initiatives, utilizing cutting-edge technologies to optimize processes and enhancing overall efficiency within both new and existing ventures.
Blake’s personal passion is helping customers and colleagues realize the power of solving customer-first problems; and the subsequent impact that has on the business and its bottom-line. You can find him nerding out over everyday economics podcasts, innovation frameworks, Auburn football or chasing around his two little girls.
Blake Gordon
Shannon Gordon, Chief Operating Officer, Circular.co
Commodity Trading Goes Digital
Monday, March 25, 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Shannon Gordon is COO of Circular.co, the leading sourcing platform for the sustainable materials market. Circular’s first-of-its-kind recycled plastic database brings transparency, efficiency and drives cost savings to expedite its customers’ sustainability journey.
Shannon brings almost 20 years of executive experience at both technology startups and large global brands. As VP, Customer Experience at Walmart.com, she grew Walmart’s order online, pickup in store business from a seven store pilot to a $1 bil P&L. This work gave Shannon a passion for connecting the digital and physical world that has been core to her career ever since.
Shannon has also worked at McKinsey & Company and served as CEO of theBoardlist (acquired by Board Prospects), an online talent marketplace that brings greater diversity to public and private company boards. She has a B.A. from Middlebury College and an MBA from the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth.
Shannon Gordon
Marissa Heffernan, Associate Editor, Resource Recycling
Plastics: A Global Conversation
Wednesday, March 27, 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Marissa Heffernan started working for Resource Recycling as a staff reporter in January 2022 after spending years as a reporter at daily newspapers in southwest Washington and Arizona. She is also the Policy Now Editor and loves discussing legislation.
Marissa Heffernan
Dan Holtmeyer, Managing Editor, Resource Recycling
Insight From the Analysts
Wednesday, March 27, 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Dan Holtmeyer is a writer, editor and photographer in northwest Arkansas, where he oversees Resource Recycling's national publications focusing on the recycling industry. His career in journalism, in both reporter and editor roles, has stretched from Nebraska to Oklahoma, Missouri, Minnesota and here in the Natural State. Prior to joining Resource Recycling in January, Dan managed the recycling program of a local regional nonprofit, connecting stakeholders, collecting data, and supporting public education and outreach.
Dan Holtmeyer
Matanya Horowitz, Founder and CEO, AMP
AI and Plastics Recycling: What's Coming Next
Tuesday, March 26, 4:00 p.m. - 5:15 p.m.
Dr. Matanya Horowitz is the founder and CEO of AMP, a leader in AI-powered sortation for the waste and recycling industry.
EY named Horowitz an Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2021 Mountain Desert Region Award Winner. He was also recognized as one of MSW Management’s Innovators of 2021 and among the 2021 “Grist 50,” and Fast Company named him one of 2020’s “Most Creative People in Business.” Under his leadership, AMP has received numerous awards and international recognition, including CNBC’s "Disruptor 50," Fast Company’s "World’s Most Innovative Companies," Forbes "AI 50," and Fortune’s "Impact 20."
Horowitz earned four bachelor’s degrees, in electrical engineering, computer science, applied mathematics, and economics, along with a master’s degree in electrical engineering, from the University of Colorado at Boulder. He holds a doctorate in control and dynamical systems from the California Institute of Technology, with publications and research in control theory, path planning and computer vision.
Matanya Horowitz
Rebecca Hu, Founder and CEO, Glacier
AI and Plastics Recycling: What's Coming Next
Tuesday, March 26, 4:00 p.m. - 5:15 p.m.
Rebecca Hu is the founder and CEO of Glacier, a recycling startup building AI and robotics to help recyclers, consumer brands, governments and other circular economy stakeholders measure and improve recovery rates for their highest-priority commodities. Glacier works with several innovative recyclers across the U.S., major brands including Amazon and Colgate-Palmolive, and municipal and government agencies including the City of Phoenix and Michigan Department of Environment. Glacier's circularity work has been featured in several leading publications, including CBS, NBC, Inc., Axios, and TechCrunch. Rebecca is a Waste360 40 Under 40 winner. Prior to founding Glacier, Rebecca was a consultant at Bain & Company and advisor to several early- and growth-stage startups. She is also a mentor for the Google Circular Economy Accelerator.
Rebecca Hu
Greg Janson, President and CEO, Granite Peak Plastics
Can PCR Still Compete?
Tuesday, March 26, 1:15 p.m. - 2:15 p.m.
Greg Janson is the President and CEO of Granite Peak Plastics and Triton Ties. Greg has spent a lifetime in the recycling industry and the last 26 years in leadership and entrepreneurial roles. He is passionate about converting challenging streams of waste plastic into superior products. He lives in St. Louis with his wife, Jennifer, where they have raised six children.
Greg Janson
Brian King, EVP Marketing, ADS
Reality Check With Reclaimers
Wednesday, March 27, 8:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.
Brian King joined Advance Drainage Systems (ADS) in September 2020 and serves as Executive Vice President, Product Management and Marketing. He is responsible for leading marketing strategy and increasing customer demand by delivering the right product or solution, to the right customer, with the right message, at the right time and place. Before joining ADS, Brian served in a variety of roles with Owens Corning from 2013 to 2020, including Vice President of Strategic Marketing - Roofing, Director of Strategic Marketing – Roofing and Asphalt, and Director of Products and Programs – Engineered Insulation Systems. Before that he held a variety of roles at Stanley Black and Decker, Elmer’s and Avery Dennison. He has 25 years of product management and marketing experience business to business (B2B), business to consumer (B2C) and direct to customer business. Brian graduated from McMaster University with honors in commerce and business.
Brian King
Allen Langdon, CEO, Circular Materials
PRO Positioning
Tuesday, March 26, 10:45 a.m. - 11:45 a.m.
As CEO, Allen Langdon is responsible for leading Circular Materials through the development of Ontario’s new blue box recycling system while expanding the organization’s operations into other provinces, starting with New Brunswick. His mission is to support producers with a robust not-for-profit service offering that advances the circular economy, delivers national harmonization of extended producer responsibility (EPR) services and harnesses competitive procurement to provide the best value for producers.
Prior to joining Circular Materials, Allen served as the President and CEO of Return-It. In this role, Allen oversaw the modernization of Return-It’s collection network, including Return-It depots, Express Plus and Express & GO stations. Allen also served as the Managing Director for Recycle BC, the first 100% EPR program for paper and packaging in North America. Allen serves as an Advisory Board Member for the Washington State Recycling Development Centre.
Allen Langdon
Mara Lapp, Senior Director, Sales and Marketing, Envision Plastics
Ready, Set... LNO
Monday, March 25, 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Mara Lapp joined Envision Plastics in 2020 and is Senior Director of Sales and Marketing. She is responsible for leading Envision’s commercial team, including sales, business development, marketing and customer service. Together with her team, she is focused on leveraging Envision Plastics’ unique portfolio of PCR products to help customers achieve their sustainability goals. Prior to joining Envision Plastics, Mara spent 20 years in the consumer products industry, where she held a variety of marketing, sales and innovation roles with companies such as Georgia-Pacific and Newell Brands. She holds a Bachelor’s of Business Administration from Emory University and a Master’s of Business Administration from Vanderbilt University.
Mara Lapp
Robert Lubin, Managing Director, Corporate Fuel Advisors
Capital Investment: Options for Operators
Monday, March 25, 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Robert Lubin leads Corporate Fuel Advisor’s (CFA) investment banking activities in clean technology, waste and recycling, sustainability, and organics and supports CFA’s broader industrial advisory activities. He offers a combination of financial advisory and operating management experience to client relationships.
As an operating executive and entrepreneur prior to joining CFA, Robert was SVP of Strategy and Business Development for HiWave Energy (Clean Technology), Treasurer and VP of Business Development for Interstate Waste Services, VP of Finance and Business Development of TransLoad America (waste-by-rail), and he started biomass recycling and glass recycling businesses.
Robert began his career in corporate finance as an investment banker for Arthur Anderson, and then led the Industrials Investment Banking Team at CIBC Oppenheimer, where he completed more than 30 transactions. He has a B.A. in political science from Lehigh University and an MBA from the Darden School at the University of Virginia.
Robert Lubin
Stacey Luddy, Chief Operating Officer, Stina Inc.
Design for Recyclablity: Harmonizing Across Continents
Monday, March 25, 2:15 p.m. - 3:15 p.m.
Stacey Luddy is the COO of Stina Inc., a mission-based research and technology company, and oversees the company’s operations, programs, and research initiatives, working to provide unbiased, quality data.
Stacey is the principal lead overseeing the Annual Plastic Recycling Study, which provides essential data on the amount of postconsumer plastics recovered for recycling in the United States. She and the Stina team also provide online tools that amplify solutions toward circularity.
Stacey believes data, collaboration and engagement with partners is essential to progress. Her experience tracking the value chain of plastics recycling for the U.S. and Canada provides critical insight for the broader context of managing resources more sustainably for future generations.
In addition to leading internationally recognized projects on plastic squeeze tube recyclability, she serves on various technical committees and work groups for APR and ISRI and has participated as a subject matter expert for the plastic recycling landscape.
Stacey Luddy
Elena Mantagaris, Senior Advisor, Canadian Initiatives, The Association of Plastic Recyclers
Film and Flexibles Volumes, Collection & Processing: Scaling National Solutions in the U.S. and Canada
Monday, March 25, 2:15 p.m. - 3:15 p.m.
Elena Mantagaris has over 25 years of experience establishing partnerships with governments and stakeholders to advance large-scale projects subject to regulatory review and public scrutiny in the plastics recycling, energy, mining and transportation sectors. Prior to working with APR, Elena led the Plastics Division for the Chemistry Industry Association of Canada representing members across the full plastics value chain including resin producers, converters, recyclers and brand owners.
Elena Mantagaris
Martha Marrapese, Partner, Wiley Rein LLP
Ready, Set... LNO
Monday, March 25, 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Martha Marrapese is a sought-out legal and policy advisor on matters where technological advancement, environmental protection and governance intersect. Her clients are solving today’s major environmental security issues including climate change, PFAS contamination and ocean plastics. Martha frequently consults on plastics, electronic waste and battery recycling, and extended producer responsibility. She is a leading expert on chemical control under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), as well as initiatives that advance biobased, sustainable products.
Martha Marrapese
Charles David Mathieu-Poulin, Lead, Governmental and External Relations, Éco Entreprises Québec
Film and Flexibles Volumes, Collection & Processing: Scaling National Solutions in the U.S. and Canada
Monday, March 25, 2:15 p.m. - 3:15 p.m.
Charles David Mathieu-Poulin is a sustainability and circular economy expert, with over 10 years of experience in the printing and packaging industry. He acts as the Lead, Governmental and External Relations at Eco Entreprises Quebec, the PRO in charge of curbside recycling for the province of Quebec. In 2016, Charles David was recognized as one of Canada’s “Top 30 Sustainability Leaders Under 30” by Corporate Knights and was named in the 2022 list of “50 Changemakers in Canada” by the Globe and Mail. He is involved in several technical committees and industry initiatives, including as an active member of the Circular Plastics Taskforce (CPT).
Charles David
Mathieu-Poulin
Joel Morales, VP Polyolefins Americas, Chemical Market Analytics by OPIS
Resin Markets: The Big Picture View
Tuesday, March 26, 9:00 a.m. - 10:15 a.m.
Joel Morales joined Chemical Market Analytics by OPIS (CMA) in March 2013 to cover polyethylene and polypropylene in North America (NA). He is currently the service leader of three market advisory subscription services: The Global Plastics and Polymers Report, the NA PE Report and the NA PP report. He has brought a wealth of industry knowledge to CMA through multiple stints along the plastics value chain. He began his career with Solvay Polymers, which later became Ineos, in technical services before he moved into field sales. He then moved into resin distribution for Muehlstein and then United Polychem as a product manager selling PE and PP resins. In his most recent role prior to CMA, Joel was a purchasing manager for Silgan Plastics, a major blow molding and injection molding plastics converter. Joel graduated from The Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1999 with a Bachelor of Science in chemical engineering and a minor in psychology.
Joel Morales
Yoan Dipita N’Komba, Principal, Warburg Pincus
What's Drawing Investors
Tuesday, March 26, 10:45 a.m. - 11:45 a.m.
Yoan Dipita N’Komba is a principal in Warburg Pincus' Energy Transition & Sustainability Group and focuses on industrial decarbonization. He joined Warburg Pincus in 2016 and currently serves as a director of the firm's investments in Citizen Energy, Eco Material Technologies, Monolith and Zenith Energy and also works with ClimeCo. Yoan previously worked in the Financial Sponsors Group at Credit Suisse First Boston and prior to that received an A.B. in philosophy and government cum laude from Harvard College. Yoan serves as Chair of the Finance & Impacts Committee on the Board of Trustees of the Nature Conservancy of New York.
Yoan Dipita N’Komba
David Nix, President, Green Group Consulting
Can PCR Still Compete?
Tuesday, March 26, 1:15 p.m. - 2:15 p.m.
David Nix is the President and Owner of Green Group Consulting. In his 34-year career in the plastics industry, his focus has been on polypropylene and recycling. He began his professional life working for LyondellBasell (Himont/Montell) and Braskem (Epsilon/Sunoco). In his 18 years with these corporations, he held positions in sales, marketing, product development, product management, production, asset management, sustainability and recycling. For 12 years David worked in recycling and distribution. A pivotal role in David’s career was a return to Braskem as the Sustainability and Recycling Leader.
Continuing his vision for greater recycled resin usage and positively impacting the world, David and his son Harrison Nix started Green Group Consulting – a consulting business that interfaces with all aspects of the plastics value chain. They work with MRFs, collectors, equipment manufacturers, additive producers, mechanical and chemical reprocessors, compounders, converters, brand owners and investors.
David Nix
Jackson Pei, Co-Head of Private Equity, Closed Loop Partners
What's Drawing Investors
Tuesday, March 26, 10:45 a.m. - 11:45 a.m.
Jackson co-heads Closed Loop Partners’ private equity platform, the Closed Loop Leadership Fund, investing in plastics and packaging, circular technology, textiles, and food and agriculture. He currently serves on the boards of Sage Sustainable Electronics and Apkudo, and previously worked with Balcones Resources and Sims Municipal Recycling. Prior to joining Closed Loop Partners, Jackson worked at Sumitomo Corporation of Americas as a Senior Investment Manager. Prior to that, he spent several years at J.P. Morgan in their Financial Sponsors Group and Chase Capital. Jackson holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in finance from the University of Texas at Austin.
Jackson Pei
Ajit Perera, Vice President of Post Consumer Operations, Talco Plastics Inc.
Reality Check With Reclaimers
Wednesday, March 27, 8:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.
With over 35 years of hands-on experience in plastics recycling, Ajit Perera’s role as the Vice President of Post Consumer Operations at Talco Plastics Inc. has been marked by a relentless pursuit of operational excellence and strategic leadership. He has been instrumental in managing sales and marketing, overseeing feedstock procurement, and ensuring the seamless day-to-day operations of the plant. He excels in identifying and resolving operational challenges, enhancing efficiency, and providing strategic input into business decisions. Networking with industry contacts, Ajit offers competitive insights and recommendations on business strategy to senior leaders.
In addition, Ajit proudly serves as a CalRecycle SB54 Advisory Board Member and holds a position on the Board of the Association of Plastics Recyclers. This dual commitment reflects his dedication to industry advocacy and staying at the forefront of environmental sustainability initiatives. His multifaceted career showcases a deep commitment to advancing the field of plastics recycling.
Ajit Perera
Jon Powell, Ph.D., Founder, Apex Catalytic (Ex-Salesforce, Closed Loop Partners)
AI and Plastics Recycling: What's Coming Next
Tuesday, March 26, 4:00 p.m. - 5:15 p.m.
Jon Powell is an entrepreneur, technologist, academic and chemical/environmental engineer by training who is building a novel SaaS and advisory team to accelerate corporate sustainability outcomes - ask him about it! Previously, Jon was Global Head of Salesforce's sustainability practice where he directly supported hundreds of the world’s largest forward-thinking corporations to accelerate their ESG and sustainability strategies and actions via direct, catalytic advisory. Jon also developed Salesforce's AI+Sustainability initiative and successfully helped guide Salesforce's Net Zero Cloud to be the consensus global leader in sustainability software. Prior to Salesforce, Jon led investment funds at Closed Loop Partners. Jon has also led and founded multiple startups spanning EdTech and environmental services. He earned his doctorate from Yale University and his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from University of Florida. He is based in Chicago.
Jon Powell
Eadaoin Quinn, Sustainable Packaging Senior Manager - Americas, Mars
The Switch to Paper Packaging: Fad or New Norm?
Tuesday, March 26, 2:45 p.m. - 3:45 p.m.
Eadaoin Quinn is the Senior Manager of Sustainable Packaging for the Americas at Mars, Inc. Eadaoin works with local teams to understand the recycling infrastructure, improve packaging design, integrate recycled content and explore alternative packaging materials. Eadaoin brings extensive experience from the recycling industry, having held positions at a plastic recycling company and material recovery facilities in the U.S. and Canada. She is actively involved in shaping industry standards and practices as a member of the Advisory Council for the U.S. Plastics Pact and serves as the Vice-Chair of the Colorado Board of the Circular Action Alliance. Eadaoin holds a master's degree in forestry from the University of Toronto and a bachelor’s degree in biology from McGill University.
Eadaoin Quinn
Maite Quinn-Richards, Contractor, Resource Recycling/Re-colab
The New Era of Collaboration
Tuesday, March 26, 2:45 p.m. - 3:45 p.m.
Maite Quinn-Richards started her career in the circular economy in early 2000 when her job as a television producer led her to a story that she never wanted to leave. She spent nearly 20 years in the recycling industry, first running the largest privately-held hauling and recycling company in NYC and then leading business development and marketing for Sims Municipal Recycling. During that time she was a board member of ISRI, APR, ANJR and NRC and worked closely with the entire industry to push the idea of the circular economy. In 2018 she joined Closed Loop Partners to launch their private equity fund with the aim to buy out the best-in-class pure play recyclers to build the largest privately-held recycling company in the U.S., which she and her team accomplished. Today she is working with Resource Recycling and other businesses on business development and broader circular economy goals.
Maite Quinn-Richards
Anna Rajkovic, Market and Innovation Manager, Mechanical Recycling, NOVA Chemicals
Ready, Set... LNO
Monday, March 25, 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Anna Rajkovic is the Market and Innovation Manager for Mechanical Recycling at NOVA Chemicals. In her role, she is responsible for the company’s PCR product portfolio, and more generally driving circularity with plastic converter customers and across the entire plastics value chain. Anna joined NOVA Chemicals in 2008; prior to her current role she held various marketing, applications development and technical service roles within NOVA. She has also been deeply involved with industry associations, serving on the Association of Plastics Recyclers (APR) Film Technical Committee and representing NOVA Chemicals at AEPW, IPANA, RIBCA, PDA, PPI, ASTM and CSA. Prior to joining NOVA Chemicals, Anna was a regional sales manager at KWH Pipe in Calgary and an account manager at Jana Labs. Anna has a Bachelor of Chemical Engineering from McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario.
Anna Rajkovic
Tonya Randell, Public/Private Engagement Manager, Stina Inc.
Design for Recyclablity: Harmonizing Across Continents
Monday, March 25, 2:15 p.m. - 3:15 p.m.
Tonya Randell is the Public/Private Engagement Manager at Stina Inc., a mission-based research and technology company. She is the co-lead and data analyst for the Plastic Squeeze Tube Recycling Project, which supports efforts to convert plastic squeeze tubes to compatible-for-recycling designs. She also support Stina’s core data collection and insights work focusing on policy tracking, national bale audits and the Annual Plastic Recycling Study.
Tonya Randell
Roberto Ribeiro, Research and Analysis Executive Director, Global EO & Derivatives, Chemical Market Analytics by OPIS
Resin Markets: The Big-Picture View
Tuesday, March 26, 9:00 a.m. - 10:15 a.m.
Roberto Ribeiro is a seasoned chemical and petrochemical expert with over 30 years of experience. He is now the Research & Analysis Executive Director and global leader for PET and ethylene oxide and derivatives at Chemical Market Analysis by OPIS, responsible for market analysis, insights, price discovery and forecasts.
He joined CMA and its predecessor company, IHS Markit, in April 2021. Previously, he was President of Townsend Solutions, a petrochemical-industry strategic consulting firm. Prior, Roberto was in a series of strategic planning, business development, M&A, and sales and marketing leadership roles from petrochemical manufacturing companies, all now part of Eastman, Shell, Braskem and LyondellBasell.
Roberto holds a bachelor’s degrees in accounting and finance and business administration from São Paulo University (Brazil). He also holds a master’s degree in oil and gas from Universidad Austral (Argentina), and has participated in a series of professional development courses with Harvard Business School, New York University and MIT.
Roberto Rebeiro
Joseph Rooney, Partner, Arsenal Capital
What's Drawing Investors
Tuesday, March 26, 10:45 a.m. - 11:45 a.m.
Joe Rooney is a partner at Arsenal Capital and Co-Chief Investment Officer for its Industrial Growth Group. Prior to joining Arsenal in 2009, Joe worked as an associate in the Controlled Distressed Investing Group at GSC Partners. Before joining GSC Partners, Joe was an analyst within the Investment Banking Division at Citigroup. Joe graduated with a B.A. in mathematical methods in the social sciences and economics from Northwestern University. He currently serves on the boards of Chroma Color, Revolution and Headwall Photonics. Previously, he served on the boards of Spartech and Airnov Healthcare Packaging. Joe has two children, two dogs and lives in New York.
Joseph Rooney
Scott Saunders, General Manager, KW Plastics
The State of Plastics Recycling
Monday, March 25, 3:30 p.m. - 4:45 p.m.
Reality Check With Reclaimers
Wednesday, March 27, 8:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.
Scott Saunders has almost 40 years of experience in the recycling industry and over 29 years of experience in plastics recycling. He is General Manager of KW Plastics, Recycling Division, headquartered in Troy, Alabama. KW is the largest recycler of HDPE and PP in North America and processes in excess of 500 million pounds annually of HDPE (#2) and PP (#5) scrap material streams into post-consumer resin. KW supplies blow molding and injection molding customers. Scott has been active in The Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR) since 2000, serving on the Supply Committee, Market Development Committee and APR Board of Directors. He was Chairman of the APR Board from 2010-2011 and 2014-2018, Vice Chairman of the APR Board from 2012-2013, and is a current APR board member. Scott joined ISRI in 2018 and became Chair of the Plastics Division in 2022.
Scott Saunders
Alan Schrob, Director, Mechanical Recycling, NOVA Chemicals
The New Era of Collaboration
Tuesday, March 26, 2:45 p.m. - 3:45 p.m.
Alan Schrob is the Director of Mechanical Recycling at NOVA Chemicals. His role is to create and build on existing external relationships to obtain a long-term, secure, high-performing and controllable supply of recycled polyethylene that helps NOVA Chemicals’ customers, brand owners and retailers to meet sustainability commitments. Alan joined NOVA Chemicals in 1999 and held a number of corporate roles including Director of Purchasing, Investor Relations Manager, Manufacturing Excellence Leader and Director of Business Development. After joining the marketing organization, he was a market manager for both the industrial drums and caps & closures, Group Leader for NOVA Chemicals’ rigid packaging markets and consumer and industrial films, and finally Market Management Leader before assuming his current role.
Alan Schrob
Charlie Schwarze, Head of Sustainability, Keurig Dr Pepper
PRO Positioning
Tuesday, March 26, 10:45 a.m. - 11:45 a.m.
Charlie Schwarze is the Head of Sustainability for Keurig Dr Pepper and the Board Chair for the Circular Action Alliance (CAA). KDP’s sustainability work spans responsible sourcing of its priority inputs including coffee and cocoa, a focus on climate solutions, and making strides toward a more circular economy. CAA, founded in 2023 by 20 major brands and retailers, is the leading producer responsibility organization in the U.S. for packaging extended producer responsibility, and has been selected by states California and Colorado to steward each program’s packaging product stewardship program.
Charlie Schwarze
Caitlin Sickles, Senior Principal, Bracewell Policy Resolution Group
Setting the Stage for Plastics Policies in North America
Monday, March 25, 10:00 a.m. - 10:50 a.m.
Caitlin Sickles has a decade of experience in strategic communications. Her focus is on the design and implementation of comprehensive, multi-platform communications campaigns for a range of companies and associations in sectors including manufacturing, consumer products, national security, healthcare, energy and the environment. Her work includes message development and delivery, reputation management and crisis communications. Caitlin leads the Bracewell Policy Resolution Group’s digital communications program, providing comprehensive brand development counsel, including sophisticated social media management and its use for effective advocacy. She frequently conducts seminar sessions and one-on-one trainings to help clients define and amplify their brands in-person, in the media and online. Caitlin began her career in Wisconsin politics, working in the state governor’s office and on several campaigns, including the 2008 presidential race. Caitlin was recognized by PR News on their list of 15-to-Watch in 2011.
Caitlin Sickles
George Smilow, Chief Operating Officer, PQ Recycling, LLC, Div. of PolyQuest, Inc.
Reality Check With Reclaimers
Wednesday, March 27, 8:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.
George Smilow is the Chief Operating Officer of PQ Recycling, a division of PolyQuest, Inc. George has 50 years of experience in operations and general management in the pharmaceutical, sugar refining, beverage manufacturing, wholesale fulfillment and PET recycling industries. His beverage and plastic recycling experience includes: VP Operations, Seven-UP Brooklyn Bottling Co.; General Manager/VP, Pure Tech Plastics; and Chief Operating Officer, PQ Recycling. George is a long-term member of the Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR) and the National Association for PET Container Resources (NAPCOR).
George Smilow
Colin Staub, Associate Editor, Resource Recycling
Commodity Trading Goes Digital
Monday, March 25, 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Resin Markets: The Big-Picture View
Tuesday, March 26, 9:00 a.m. - 10:15 a.m.
Colin Staub is an associate editor at Resource Recycling, Inc., reporting on the municipal, plastics and electronics recycling sectors for the company's three trade publications. He first joined the publication as a staff reporter in 2017, and works out of the company's Portland, Oregon headquarters.
Colin Staub
Emily Tipaldo, Executive Director, U.S. Plastics Pact
Design From the Start: How to Achieve Recyclable Film & Flexible Packaging
Wednesday, March 27, 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
With more than a decade of experience with plastics, recycling and materials management, Emily brings her skills of stakeholder engagement, industry expertise and passion for reducing climate change to the U.S. Plastics Pact. The U.S. Plastics Pact is a solutions-driven consortium with more than 130 businesses and organizations across the plastics value chain working to rethink the way we design, use and reuse plastics to create a path toward a circular economy. Through previous work with the research and consulting company MORE Recycling and the Plastics Division of the American Chemistry Council, Emily built knowledge and value chain connections that support her work today with the U.S. Plastics Pact. She has received the following accolades: 2023 Plastics News Notable Leader in Sustainability, 2023 Waste 360 40 Under 40 Winner, 2017 Edison Awards: Women Behind Innovation and 2015 Plastics News Rising Star.
Emily Tipaldo
Adrianne Tipton, Chief Technology Officer, Novolex
The New Era of Collaboration
Tuesday, March 26, 2:45 p.m. - 3:45 p.m.
Adrianne Tipton, Ph.D. is Chief Technology Officer at Novolex, responsible for driving innovation in new product development, product management and product marketing. With more than 20 years of experience, Adrianne brings extensive expertise in a wide variety of areas, including business strategy, marketing, research and new product development. Before joining Novolex, she was Vice President of Business Research for ORC International as well as Vice President of New Product Development and Marketing for Cenveo (formerly National Envelope). Previous to that, Tipton served a variety of critical roles in research and development at Clorox and was Key Account Manager/Senior Process Engineer for Novellus Systems. Adrianne holds a Bachelor of Sciences degree in chemistry from Northern Arizona University, a Ph.D. in synthetic bioorganic chemistry from the University of Nevada, Reno and a post-doctoral fellowship from the Center for Metals in Biocatalysis from the University of Minnesota.
Adrianne Tipton
Scott Trenor, Technical Director, The Association of Plastics Recyclers
Design for Recyclability: Harmonizing Across Continents
Monday, March 25, 2:15 p.m. - 3:15 p.m.
Scott Trenor is Technical Director at The Association of Plastics Recyclers (APR). He is leading efforts on APR programs in design for recycling, recyclability testing protocols and global harmonization of packaging design protocols. Prior to joining APR, he was involved in R&D and sustainability at Milliken & Company and Kraton Polymers, giving him 20 years of experience in the polymer industry. His experience includes the discovery, development and commercialization of novel polymers and polymer additives as well as in technology acquisition and licensing. Scott earned his Ph.D. in macromolecular science and engineering from Virginia Tech in 2004.
Scott Trenor
Robin Waters, Research and Analysis Director, Circular Plastics Service, Chemical Market Analytics by OPIS
Can PCR Still Compete?
Tuesday, March 26, 1:15 p.m. - 2:15 p.m.
Robin Waters brings more than three decades of industry experience to his role as Research and Analysis Director, Circular Plastics Service for Chemical Market Analytics by OPIS. He joined Chemical Market Analytics by OPIS in June 2022 following the acquisition of IHS Markit Base Chemicals. Robin joined IHS Markit in September 2012 as Director, Polyolefins North America. Previously, he held positions at DuPont and LyondellBasell.
Robin's responsibilities cover the transition of plastics’ ecosystem from a linear to circular model as service lead for the Circular Plastics Service launched in July 2021. In this capacity he also supports other market advisory services as well as single-client projects and studies related to polyolefins and plastics sustainability.
Robin received a Bachelor of Science in chemistry from the University of Georgia and an MBA from the University of Miami.
Robin Waters
Debra Wilson, Material Science Director, Berry Global
Design for Recyclablity: Harmonizing Across Continents
Monday, March 25, 2:15 p.m. - 3:15 p.m.
Debra Wilson is a material science director for Berry Global. Berry develops, designs and manufactures innovative packaging. She has been in the plastics industry for 42 years from a technical perspective. Most of her career has been in developing grades for the packaging industry and the technology to produce polyolefin resins.
She is currently Chair of ASTM D20 Plastics and is on the Board of Directors for ASTM International. She is also the head of the U.S. delegation to ISO TC61 Plastics, including SC14 on environmental aspects, including recycling. Debra is active in several committees in RecyClass and APR and CEN/TC249/WG11 on plastics recycling.
Debra Wilson
Adriana Wolff, Global Senior Manager, Sustainable and Circular Packaging, McCain Foods
The New Era of Collaboration
Tuesday, March 26, 2:45 p.m. - 3:45 p.m.
With over 25 years of experience, Adriana Wolff has had the privilege of playing a role in driving transformative change through sustainable practices. In her journey, she’s focused on crafting strategies that blend technical knowledge with insights from various dimensions such as economics, social dynamics, environmental concerns, logistics and legislation. As someone deeply invested in sustainable packaging, Adriana has had the opportunity to work with organizations across North America, Europe, and Latin America, offering tailored solutions to address their unique challenges. Drawing upon her network, which includes organizations like the Consumer Goods Forum and Ellen MacArthur Foundation, she’s been fortunate to advocate for global sustainability initiatives. Her approach involves navigating through complex environmental regulations, promoting circular economy principles, and championing innovations in waste management and recycling. Sustainability isn't just a profession to Adriana—it's a deeply rooted passion. She remains committed to contributing towards a more sustainable future where technical expertise meets environmental stewardship.
Adriana Wolff
Ian Wyatt, Director of Economics, Huntington National Bank
Capital Investment: Options for Operators
Monday, March 25, 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Ian Wyatt is a veteran economist with expertise in macroeconomic forecasting, industry analysis, economic data, commercial lending and labor markets. At Huntington, he is the Director of Economics for the Commercial Bank and helps the bank and its commercial clients navigate economic uncertainty and make better decisions through insights and data.
He previously served as the Principal Economist at the Metro Atlanta Chamber, leading economic development research, and was a popular public speaker. Prior to MAC, he helped develop strategies and manage risk for a large bank's $400B commercial loan portfolio. He led an industry research team that covered the commodities, plastics and waste management industries.
Ian holds a master’s in economics from Johns Hopkins University. He started his career at the Bureau of Labor Statistics where he researched and analyzed industry and occupational data in manufacturing and commodities industries before being promoted to leading the agency’s official macroeconomics forecast.
Ian Wyatt
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