Webinar

Using Compostable Plastics
to Enhance Food Scraps Collection

What You Need to Know

Originally presented October 8, 2015 | 11:00 am -- 12:30 pm PST

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Diverting and collecting food scraps is a top priority from local jurisdictions up to the U.S. EPA. Compostable plastics have been shown to increase participation rates in food scraps collection programs, though can also bring significant challenges. This webinar is designed to help you understand the role of Compostable Plastics and provide you with some resources to assist planning or expanding your diversion program. To do that we will first set the stage with some real world examples, and then dive into the details.
Real World Examples:
The Details
The Composter
The Hauler
Product Selection
Education and Regulation
The Presenters
Jack Macy
Jack Macy
Commercial Zero Waste Senior Coordinator, San Francisco Department of the Environment

Jack Macy has nearly 30 years experience developing and managing composting, recycling and other zero waste related programs and policies at the local and state level. Jack has been a key lead for the City and County of San Francisco in the development and implementation of San Francisco's internationally recognized food composting program and zero waste policies and program, including setting a zero waste goal for 2020, mandating composting and recycling for all sectors, banning EPS (Styrofoam) and requiring compostable and recyclable foodware, and banning plastic bags and charging for other checkout bags. Jack has been key to positioning San Francisco as an award winning international zero waste model and he is a recognized leader in the zero waste movement, who has spoken across the globe on zero waste, including keynoting numerous conferences.

Jack continues to lead San Francisco’s zero waste policies, programs and technologies as well as helping California improve organics and zero waste policy and programs, including serving on the Board of the California Organics Recycling Council. Jack has helped address issues such as the challenge and opportunities of compostable plastics on the state and national level, including facilitating the US Composting Council’s Compostable Plastics Task Force working group of supply chain stakeholders on labeling, identification, and education that created model labeling for compostable plastics being adopted by industry.

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Jessica Kingpetcharat-Bittner
Division Manager, Strategic Initiatives Division Austin Resource Recovery, City of Austin

Jessica Kingpetcharat-Bittner is the Strategic Initiatives Division Manager for Austin Resource Recovery, a City of Austin Service. The Strategic Initiatives Division is responsible for Zero Waste program development, commercial waste reduction assistance, education and outreach, marketing, and long-range planning to implement the City of Austin’s Zero Waste Strategic Plan.

Jessica received her bachelor degree from Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas and her Masters from Lyndon B. Johnson School at the University of Texas at Austin. She has been a public servant for over 15 years, with more than 6 years working for the City of Austin in the City Manager’s Office, Watershed Protection & Development Review Department, and now Austin Resource Recovery.

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Leslie Lukacs
Principal of L2 Environmental

Leslie is the principal of L2 Environmental and has over 17 years of sound experience implementing environmental and zero waste programs for both the private and public sector. Leslie specializes in the design and execution of comprehensive materials management programs for large institutions, public agencies, venues, and events throughout the Nation. Experience includes zero waste program development and coordination, stakeholder outreach, program management, waste audits and characterization studies, ordinance preparation and implementation, compliance, and grant writing and administration. Leslie has been instrumental in pioneering the greening of venues and events throughout the nation and is a leading advocate for the industry. She has implemented diversion programs at national football stadiums, government facilities, universities, theme parks, convention centers, performing art centers, fairgrounds, and numerous large events. Leslie is the founder and Chair of Green Initiatives for Venues and Events, an organization dedicated to increasing the awareness of implementing material management programs at venues and special events. Leslie currently serves on the board of California Resource Recovery Association and Zero Waste International Alliance and is an advisor to non-profit organization Zero Waste USA.

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Cary Oshins
Director of Education and Annual Conference for the United States Composting Council

Cary Oshins is Director of Education and Annual Conference for the United States Composting Council, where in addition to expanding professional development opportunities for composters his work includes advocacy and policy development. Prior to this he was head of the Stormwater Management Division of Gardenique Landscaping, Inc. in Orefield, PA, where he represented Filtrexx® Erosion Control products. Cary has over 20 years of experience in composting education, research, utilization and promotion, working for the Lehigh County Office of Solid Waste, the Rodale Institute, and Cornell University’s Waste Management Institute. As consultant to the Professional Recyclers of PA (PROP), he developed, coordinated and taught the organics component to PROP’s award-winning Recycling Professional Certification Program.

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Matthew Cotton
Integrated Waste Management Consulting, LLC

Matthew Cotton has had the privilege of working for some of the best composters in CA for over 20 years. From providing permit assistance to new and expanding composting facilities, to providing hands-on odor control mitigations, to conducting important statewide studies of the California organics industry. He has worked for or visited most of the significant organics projects in California including most of the composting sites. At the same time, has had the opportunity of working closely with CalRecycle to survey the organics processing industry through three CalRecycle funded projects. This gives him a unique perspective on the industry it's challenges and opportunities.

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