8:30 - 9:00 AM

Registration and continental breakfast

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9:00 - 9:15 AM

Introductions

Let's take a moment to each introduce ourselves! ​

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9:15 - 10:15 AM 

Extended Producer Responsibility – National and Local Updates

EPR bills are on the rise in the United States. From packaging and printed paper, mattresses, and even hazardous waste, Scott will provide an overview of the variety of EPR programs that have been recently proposed or adopted in the US. Scott will share how EPR programs are evolving and explore differences and opportunities of language in recently adopted laws. Dan and Mallory will discuss the process of developing EPR for packaging and printed paper in Minnesota – from bringing in PSI to continued focused workgroup meetings and what they’re hearing about EPR and related bills in the upcoming legislative session in Minnesota.

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Speakers:

• Scott Cassell, Product Stewardship Institute

• Dan Donkers, Ramsey County Environmental Health

• Mallory Anderson, Hennepin County Environment and Energy

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10:15 - 10:45 AM

Break 

Check out the recycling tables!

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10:45 - 11:45 AM

Not Li-ion: What’s Next in Battery Collection

Panel discussion about efforts at the national and local levels to manage batteries in the waste and recycling streams, including a case study of vape pen collection in Dakota County Schools.

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Speakers:

• Jennifer Volkman, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency

• Kristi Otterson, Dakota County

• Ali Vandercook, Dakota County

• Speaker to be announced, Call2Recycle

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11:45 AM - 12:45 PM

Lunch

Lunch will be provided by local restaurant Ansari's Mediterranean Grill, serving a spread of Mediterranean food. 

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12:45 - 1:45 PM

For Here or To Go? Reusables at Food Service Businesses

Restaurants, bakeries, coffee shops, and other food-related businesses continue to reduce use of single-use serveware by introducing reusables and returnables into their operations. This panel will spotlight MNimize, Good To Go Cups, and La Doña Cervecería. Panelists will share their experiences, successes and barriers, and provide insight into how government staff can help expand and support these efforts.

 

Speakers:

• Sergio Manacero, La Dona Cerveceria

• Melissa Seeley, Good To Go Cups

• Keely Schultz, MN Waste Wise

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1:45 PM - 2:OO PM

Break

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2:00 - 3:00 PM

Updates on Organics Recycling Access in MN

Organics for everyone!  Check out the program updates for organics recycling access throughout MN.

Providing organics access throughout MN isn’t a one size fit all.  Be inspired as you learn about the food scrap program updates with the massive on-going organics co-collection roll-out in Ramsey/Washington Counties.

Check out how Creekside Soils and the City of Hutchinson are re-engaging their residents to reduce contamination for one of the state’s oldest organics collection programs.

Rightsizing for rural communities.  See how rural MN counties are setting up organics access in non-metro rural areas in Stevens and Otter Tail counties.  

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Speakers:

• Cedar Walters, Otter Tail County

• Cassandra Meuffels, Creekside Soils/City of Hutchinson

• Hannah Keller, Ramsey/Washington Recycling & Energy

• Annalee Garletz, Ramsey/Washington Recycling & Energy

• Syd Bauer, Stevens County

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3:00 PM - 3:15 PM

Break

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3:15 - 4:30 PM

Let’s Digest and Talk!

Before you head home for the day, let’s take some time to process what we have heard today, and talk about how we may apply it to our work.  This session will focus on allowing attendees an opportunity to talk in small groups with session moderators and a few speakers about how each topic impacts their day-to-day work.  Find out how your colleagues are dealing with challenges and share what has worked in your community.​

 

Networking

Networking will follow in Hastings.  Location TBD.