Conference Program

WORKSHOP DETAILS

Monday Workshops

Session 1 Workshops (9:00am)

NH's Rechargeable Battery Disposal Ban (Webster Room)

Starting July 1, 2025, rechargeable lithium-ion batteries will be prohibited from New Hampshire’s landfills and incinerators. They must be recycled through special battery collection programs – never mixed with recyclables! NHDES will share information about the battery ban and resources that facilities can provide their residents.

• Presenter Paige Wilson, Waste Reduction & Diversion Planner, NHDES

Compost - Setting Up a Municipal Organics Program (Pierce Room)

In this presentation, we will dig into how to get a town started in organics collection and processing. From schools to residents, commercial businesses, and compost site operation, we will cover the different ways towns tackle can composting, including challenges and solutions.

• Presenter Conor Miller, CEO for Black Earth Compost 

Recycle Right North Country Operator Roundtable (Concord Room)

Join other recycling facility operators and staff at this informal roundtable to discuss the Recycle Right North Country campaign! 

• Moderator Brian Patnoe, NRRA Member Services Director
• Moderator Steve Bean, NRRA Municipal Recycling Advisor
  

--------------------------------------------------------

Session 2 Workshops (10:45am)

NH's Waste Characterization Study & Solid Waste Management Plan (Webster Room)

Staff from the NHDES Solid Waste Management Bureau will give a progress update on the work completed, so far, relative to the state’s 2022 Solid Waste Management Plan (SWMP). They will also share the results of New Hampshire’s first, statewide waste characterization study - the consultant who lead the study collected data about the composition of MSW and C&D disposed in NH. Results from the study will be used to implement more actions in the SWMP by targeting diversion of specific materials.

• Presenter Paige Wilson, Waste Reduction & Diversion Planner for NHDES

Mattress Recycling: Journey of Difficult Waste to Valuable Recyclable (Pierce Room)

Learn about the mattress disassembly process and the subsequent handling of individual components and materials from both mattresses and box springs. This presentation will examine the effects that mattresses have on collection and disposal systems, as well as the environmental advantages of proper segregation and processing as valuable recyclables. Lastly, we will share the implementation and results of the recent mattress recycling pilot program in northern New Hampshire. 

• Presenter TBD, Casella Waste Systems
  

Listening Roundtable with the NHDES Climate Planning Team (Concord Room)

The NH Department of Environmental Services is putting together a Comprehensive Climate Action Plan (CCAP) and would like to hear from YOU! Rather than a top-down approach of state government mandates, the CCAP will focus on voluntary projects, programs, and policies that will help New Hampshire reduce greenhouse gas emissions and related co-pollutants, as well as increasing energy efficiency. One focus sector of the CCAP is Waste and Materials Management. Expanding implementation of these measures in New Hampshire depends on sharing success stories, barriers, and potential partnerships - this is where you come in! Come share your experiences with the team.

• Presenter Kurt Yuengling, Community Engagement Specialist for NHDES
• Moderator Andrea Folsom, NRRA Education & Grants Manager 

--------------------------------------------------------

Lunch & Recycling Education Keynote Panel (11:45am)

The most effective way to increase recycling is through resident education, but what exactly does that mean?

Join us for a Keynote Presentation and follow-up panel discussion focused on recycling education best practices!

• Presenter & Panelist Alec Cooley, Busch Systems
• Panelist Andrea Folsom, NRRA Education & Grants Manager
• Moderator Reagan Bissonnette, NRRA Executive Director

--------------------------------------------------------

Session 3 Workshops (1:15pm)

Used Oil Management & the NHDES Grant Program (Webster Room)

This presentation will review the basics of used oil collection, classification, and management that applies to transfer stations per the NHDES hazardous waste rules. The second part of this presentation will review used oil grant criteria, eligible expenses, and how to apply. Bring your waste oil questions!

• Presenter Andy Gould, Used Oil Program Manager for NHDES
  

Landfill Operations in the 21^st Century (Pierce Room)

Managing a solid waste disposal facility in the 21^st century is not what it use to be. Changing regulations, public outreach, waste acceptance practices, leachate management, landfill gas recovery, escalating costs, staffing, and long range planning are but a few of the challenges facing landfill operators today. Come to hear what is involved in managing the largest solid waste disposal site in New Hampshire.

• Presenter Steve Poggi, Area Director of Disposal Operations for Waste Management, Inc.

NH Solid Waste Rule Updates for Municipalities (Concord Room)

All of the New Hampshire Solid Waste Administrative Rules (chapters Env-Sw 100 – 2100) just went through a big review! NHDES will present some of the major rule changes relevant to municipal waste management and transfer stations. There were revisions to permit provisions, waste handling requirements, and reporting forms. Some changes now make it easier for facilities to work regionally to collect recyclables! Please note, the presentation will not cover the Env-Sw 800 landfill rules.

• Presenter Jaime Colby, Supervisor of the NHDES Engineering and Permitting Section

--------------------------------------------------------

Session 4 Workshops (2:45pm)

Construction & Demolition Recycling (Pierce Room)

Learn about construction and demolition (C&D) recycling options in NH - from where the material goes to how it's processed. You'll also hear from a local municipality about their experience with C&D recycling. 

• Presenter Information Coming Soon!
  

Consumption, Waste, and Greenhouse Gas Emissions (Concord Room)

Did you know: the EPA recently released a new report on Consumption-Based Emission Inventories (CBEI) for the Northeastern States. This panel discussion session will explore the idea of how our consumption here in the Northeast generates greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions around the world. GHG is also embedded in our waste. We will also examine the waste management policies that NH and Maine are working on in response. Terri Goldberg, MassRecycle; Nathan Robbins, ME DEP; Wes Ingwersen, EPA; Kurt Yuengling, NH DES

• Panelist John Fay, Project Manager for NEWMOA
• Panelist Terri Goldberg, MassRecycle
• Panelist Nathan Robbins, Maine DEP 

--------------------------------------------------------

Tuesday Workshops

Session 1 Workshops (9:00am)

New Hampshire's Food Waste Disposal Ban (Webster Room)

Similar to other New England states, New Hampshire has enacted a food waste disposal ban focusing on reducing landfill waste. As of February 1^st, anyone generating 1 ton or more of food waste per week must avoid disposing their excess food as long as there is an alternative facility within 20 miles that can accept it. Those alternatives may include food pantries, a farm needing to feed their animals, a composting facility or an anaerobic digester. NHDES will share information about how the ban will be implemented and resources that facilities can share with businesses in their area.

• Presenter Jenny Mitchell, Food Waste Disposal Specialist for NHDES

Recycling Education - Changing the Narrative: Transforming Recycling's Image (Pierce Room)

In 2024, MassRecycle launched a groundbreaking media campaign to counter the negative portrayal of recycling as a "hoax" or "farce." By inviting reporters to witness the process firsthand and offering weekly tours of recycling facilities, they showcased the reality: hundreds of thousands of tons of materials are sorted, baled, and sold to manufacturers annually. The initiative garnered overwhelmingly positive feedback, improving public perception and increasing facility tonnages. This session highlights the campaign's success and urges recycling facilities and municipalities to share their own stories, emphasizing the boost in residential morale and tonnage as a worthwhile payoff!

• Presenter Abbey Massaro, Executive Director of MassRecycle

Plastic, Glass, and More! Operator Roundtable (Concord Room)

Join other recycling facility operators and staff at this informal roundtable to discuss the challenges, solutions, and realities of recycling plastic, glass, and other standard recyclables. Operators have always found this time valuable to hear about on-the-ground experience from their peers.

• Moderator Brian Patnoe, NRRA Member Services Director
• Moderator Steve Bean, NRRA Municipal Recycling Advisor

--------------------------------------------------------

Session 2 Workshops (10:45am)

Municipal Zero Waste Success Stories (Webster Room)

Zero Waste: What is it and how does it work? This session will share case studies from cities and organizations around the country who have successfully increased their recycling and diversion rates through Zero Waste plans and policies.

• Presenter Cindy Heath, Convener for the NH Network Plastics Working Group

Let's Talk About Scales! (Pierce Room)

A scale is a necessary tool all transfer stations and recycling centers should consider. Scales streamline weight-based pricing and provide towns, taxpayers, residents, and customers a fair and accurate way to charge for disposal of everything from MSW to common recyclables to trickier items such as shingles and electronics. Come learn more about these recommended tools - both truck and floor scales will be discussed.

• Presenter Information Coming Soon!
  

Composting & Recycling - Connecting Municipal Services with BetterBev P2 Efforts (Concord Room)

The BetterBev recognition program was born out of New England states' pollution prevention (P2) programs. Sustainability efforts in solid waste, recycling, and wastewater management are important components of the recognition. In this session we will connect municipalities with efforts that their local craft beverage makers might need their help with, such as composting their organics, or special recycling (such as rigid carrier tops and shrink wrap), or reducing the biological oxygen demand going to the town's wastewater treatment plant. 

• Presenter John Fay, Project Manager for NEWMOA
  

--------------------------------------------------------

Session 3 Workshops (1:15pm)

Multi-Unit Recycling Access & Engagement (Pierce Room)

Multi-family dwellings have long been a challenging and often overlooked sector in recycling efforts. Our team is actively developing a grant-funded program to increase access, awareness, and participation in these communities. While still in its early stages, we will share our approach to tackling this issue, including research insights, stakeholder engagement strategies, and the groundwork being laid for long-term impact. This session will provide a valuable discussion on the barriers to recycling in multi-family housing and the steps needed to create scalable solutions.

• Presenter Zoe Malia, Program Manager - Multi-Family Recycling Initative for ecomaine
  

Hard to Recycle Items Operator Roundtable (Concord Room)

Join other recycling facility operators and staff at this informal roundtable to discuss managing hard to recycle items at your facility. Operators have always found this time valuable to hear about on-the-ground experience from their peers.

• Moderator Brian Patnoe, NRRA Member Services Director
• Moderator Steve Bean, NRRA Municipal Recycling Advisor