Great Expectations for WasteExpo 2019

Organic waste, biogas and anaerobic digestion technologies will be star players at WasteExpo 2019. As a broker of waste and recycling insurance, I always look forward to the conference to gain greater insight on the questions my clients are facing around safety and risk management.

The conference, coming to Las Vegas May 6 through 9, is the biggest national gathering of waste and recycling industry leaders. It’s a must-attend show for anyone who wants to get ahead of both the problems and opportunities to come.

Here are the talks I’ve penciled into my calendar.

Post China & the Current Status of Recycling

Last year I wrote about China’s new restrictions on recycling imports and how it is paralyzing the U.S. recycling market. It’s been over a year since China’s “National Sword” policy was implemented, and recyclers in America are still looking for solutions. This talk will address issues such as developing new processing facilities and keeping sustainability programs alive across the country.

CFO Insights: A Look at the Waste & Recycling Industry

Presented by the National Waste and Recycling Association (NWRA) Women’s Council, an organization near and dear to my heart, this panel brings together a powerhouse roster of some of the most influential CFOs in the industry, including with Dianna Cervantes, WCA Waste Corporation; Devina Rankin, Waste Management; Chuck Serrianni, Republic Services; Mary Anne Whitney, Waste Connections; Ned Coletta, Casella. In addition to hearing fresh perspectives on financial challenges from the CFOs, attendees will have a chance to participate in the dialogue.

Taking Safety from the Executive Office to the Frontline

Safety is a pervasive issue when it comes to managing risk. As a broker, I spend a lot of time advising clients on how to keep their workers safe through technology and best practices. This presentation is aimed directly at executives, who hold the most influence over their organization’s commitment to safety. It will focus on how to create and sustain a culture of positive safety performance. Safety experts will touch on ways to build that culture through trust, consistency and accountability.

NWRA Safety Symposium

Waste and recycling jobs are among the top five most dangerous professions in America. For my clients, keeping workers out of harm’s way is the number one priority. It’s also critical for mitigating risk. This half-day symposium, featuring former U.S. Department of Labor Assistant Secretary for OSHA David Michaels, focuses on new safety solutions, regulatory updates, proven industry safety programs, OSHA compliance and more.

People’s Choice Session: Hard to Recycle Items

This is the wildcard session that’s voted on by attendees earlier in the year. Since recycling is such a hot topic right now, it’s no surprise to find it in this category. In this presentation, we’ll hear about the latest trends, opportunities and challenges facing some of the most difficult recycling products today, including electronics, flexible packaging and more.

Investor Summit

In past years, the Investor Summit has been a highlight of the conference for me. Sponsored by Stifel, it features leaders of the largest national waste and recycling companies. Part presentation, part networking event, it’s a great place to find financial insights for investors and owners.

In addition to taking in all these wonderful talks, I’ll be participating in the NWRA Women’s Council sponsored events during the show. In an industry dominated by male leadership, this great organization supports the professional development of women in waste and recycling, and offers scholarships to students in pursuit of a career in the environmental industry.

Always a big presence at WasteExpo, the Women’s Council is sponsoring several events this year, including the Carts on Display art competition/fundraiser in which participants decorate large gallon carts around the themes of environmentalism and/or “Meet the Future,” a reception and a 50/50 raffle.

Are you attending WasteExpo? If so, I’d love to talk. Our booth number this year is 4474. Shoot me an email to set up a time to connect – and don’t forget to check back for a post-show round-up in May.

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Connect with the Risk Strategies Waste and Recycling team at waste@risk-strategies.com

Email me directly at pcaron@risk-strategies.com