Americans create a lot of solid waste – to the tune of 268 million tons in 2017 alone. While many localities and companies are championing zero-waste plans to divert materials that have a second life (think recycling, reusing and composting), the majority of U.S. garbage still ends up in the landfill. What’s the best use of that garbage?

This discussion explores the polarizing world of waste-to-energy through incineration and gasification. Experts discuss if it ever makes sense to generate energy from trash, and break down the environmental and social pitfalls.

Speakers

• Sarah Golden, Senior Energy Analyst & VERGE Energy Chair, GreenBiz Group 
• Will Thorburn, Director, Cleantech Strategy & Investments, Cox

How (and why) can companies overcome the barriers of collaborating with their corporate peers in order to advance system-wide circular outcomes?

Faced with the pressing challenges of resource scarcity, ocean plastic pollution and climate change, among others, it’s clear that unique and unprecedented collaborations are required to solve complex global issues. Together, we can drive systemic change more quickly. That’s why leading brands are participating in multi-year consortia to collectively advance a waste-free future. Panelists discuss the challenges, learnings and nuts and bolts of these groundbreaking partnerships.

Speakers

• Kate Daly, Managing Director, Closed Loop Partners 
• Jane Ewing, Senior Vice President, Sustainability, Walmart
• Eileen Howard Boone, SVP, Corporate Social Responsibility & Philanthropy and CSO, CVS Health, President, CVS Health and Aetna Foundations
• Amanda Nusz, Vice President of Corporate Responsibility, Target

Structuring circular economies like a neural network enables our transition from linear use, lowers risk through collective action and unlocks low-hanging circular wins. Hear from neuroscientist turned circular economy start-up founder Garry Cooper, whose company, Rheaply, is generating millions in savings for partnered organizations by scaling corporate reuse and facilitating circular materials flows.

Speakers

• Garry Cooper, CEO, Rheaply

Lauren Phipps, Director & Senior Analyst of the Circular Economy at GreenBiz Group, discusses what’s next in her closing thoughts.

High-quality jobs, affordable places to live, a thriving urban culture, and a healthy human and natural environment can all be part of circular cities. This conversation between public and private practitioners discusses how. Speakers José Manuel Moller Dominguez, CEO & Founder, Algramo Mark Chambers, Director, NYC Mayor’s Office of Sustainability Heather Clancy, Editorial Director, GreenBiz Group