What will it take to build robust composting infrastructure at scale in the United States?

Composting should be a win-win. In theory, corporations and cities could divert food waste from landfills and create a valuable agricultural product in the process. Yet examples of large-scale composting infrastructure are hard to find in the United States. According to the most recent EPA data, less than 10 percent of food waste finds its way into composting systems. Contamination of waste streams, haulage costs and “compostable” materials that don’t actually biodegrade are all part of the problem. Meet the entrepreneurs, city officials and corporate leaders who are turning things around. Speakers share details of successful composting businesses, systems for scaling up food waste collection and strategies for diverting corporate food waste into composting systems.

Speakers

• Alexa Kielty, Residential Zero Waste and Special Projects Assistant, San Francisco Department of the Environment
• Kevin Quandt, Vice President of Supply Chain & Sustainability, sweetgreen
• Jim Giles, Food and Carbon Analyst, GreenBiz Group 

How can companies establish an organizational circular economy strategy that’s owned and embraced by key internal stakeholders?

The impacts of circular initiatives can ripple throughout a business and its supply chain, creating opportunity and disruption in its wake. But no matter how visionary or comprehensive, a circular economy strategy will translate into real-world impact only if it breaks through silos and takes hold across an organization. Hear from leaders who not only have established comprehensive circular economy strategies, but also effectively implemented them across their organization.

This discussion explores the structure of different circular economy strategies — including core focus areas, KPIs, ownership and impacts on compensation — as well as actionable tactics to engage colleagues, assure alignment and create cross-functional initiatives without derailing existing operations.

Speakers

• John Davies, VP, Senior Analyst, GreenBiz Group  
• Xavier Houot, Global SVP Safety, Environment, Real Estate, Schneider Electric
• Natasha Scotnicki, Program Manager, Circular Economy, Cisco

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