Sneak Preview Preliminary List of Educational Sessions.
Please visit this page often for updated information
Schedule with dates, times and speakers to be included in January.
10:45 am - 12:15 pm
Ferrous Spotlight: Supply vs. Demand
The supply and demand outlook for recycled iron and steel is a hot topic given the major U.S. steel mill capacity expansion plans and increased focus on sustainability. Please join our panel of experts from the Steel Manufacturers Association, steel mills, and recycled materials industry professionals for a timely conversation of what lies in store for ferrous recycling in 2023 and beyond.
10:45 am - 11:45 am
Compliance Overview of Federal 2021 Multi-Sector General Permit for Industrial Stormwater Discharges
As state and federal stormwater permitting programs become more robust, it is critical for the recycled materials industry to understand its obligations and prepare strategies to maintain ongoing compliance. This session will provide an overview of EPA’s 2021 Multi-Sector General Permit (MSGP) for industrial stormwater discharges and its applicability to the recycled materials industry. Attendees will gain strategies to maintain compliance through the implementation of stormwater control measures and best management practices (BMPs). Topics will include effluent limitations, impaired waters, inspections and assessments, sampling and monitoring, and corrective actions.
10:45 am - 12:00 pm
Spotlight on Paper
Recycled paper shipping has gone through a period of supply and demand high volatility in the past two and a half years and the entire shipping world has seen their supply and demand scenario change drastically. Learn how the Federal Maritime Commission has handled the continuously evolving situation and what the future strategy is moving forward.
10:45 am - 12:00 pm
The Growing Data Security and Destruction Movement
Digital devices from 5G smartphones to tablets and other consumer electronics are collecting and storing ever increasing amounts of personal data and other information. Consumers and businesses are increasingly becoming more aware of the risks associated with the proper handling of this equipment to protect valuable and sensitive data. Learn the vulnerabilities of consumer electronics and how you can protect your operation from accidental and preventable data releases.
2:15 - 3:30 pm
Recycling Technology: Driving Toward Industry 4.0
The digitalization of operations management, human-machine interfaces, commodity trading, marketing, and much more have revolutionized the recycled materials industry. Industry 4.0 has brought the advent of new state-of-the-art technologies to our industry, introducing Internet of Things (IoT) devices, cloud data management and analytics, and artificial intelligence and machine learning. Learn how the fourth industrial revolution will affect the processing, trading, and consumption of recycled materials and how you can embrace these new technologies to continue your organization’s growth.
2:15 - 3:30 pm
Nickel/Stainless Spotlight: In Search of Market Balance
Nickel prices outperformed all the other major base metals in 2022, but the meltdown in nickel trading at the London Metal Exchange wreaked havoc for both processors and consumers of recycled nickel and stainless steel. Our panel of recycled materials industry veterans and stainless producers will share their insights on the potential re-balancing of nickel and stainless steel markets going forward.
2:15 - 3:30 pm
Spotlight on Plastics
Learn how the industry is expanding its reach to recycle more plastics, expand end use markets, and partner with brands, given the current environment of EPR (Extended Producer Responsibility) and other initiatives.
4:00- 5:00 pm
Back to the Future III
Four industry icons discuss the growth of the industry through a historic look at the past, an overview of the present, and an educated eye towards the future. Take insights built on years of experience back to your organization.
4:00 - 5:00 pm
Reuse & Recycling in a Changing World of IoT
The electronics reuse and recycling industry is facing a wave of new equipment and materials including PV systems, EVs, wearables, and embedded devices. Data privacy, worker safety, environmental responsibility, and profitability present just some of the challenges. Learn how these issues are being addressed and take lessons learned back to your organization.
4:00 - 5: 00 pm
Community Engagement: Your Facility and Local Schools
Partnering with local school districts helps create a deeper understanding of the science behind recycling and the recycled materials industry. Highlighting different career paths in our industry for students and supporting the development of STEM practices bolster our future workforce. Hear from ISRI members, school representatives, and JASON Learning representatives as they share their success stories and supply the roadmap for your organization to further engage your community through the local schools.
4 :00- 5:00 pm
Environmental Social Governance Solution Strategies for Success
The steady monitoring of company practices as outlined in the Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) portfolio, the introduction of new and expanded material types, global and domestic policies, conflicts, trade restrictions, climate events, economic downturn impacts, transportation hurdles, and employee shortages continue to strain supply chains. Hear from an expert investor how to document actions, progress, and risk management strategies as outlined in the ESG portfolio. Learn how the ISRI ESG online fillable form will help document sound environmental compliance, safety, social, and governance practices for suppliers and customers.
8:45 - 10:00 am
Opportunities Abound: How to Attract Talent Through STEM Careers in Recycling
The recycled materials industry is full of job opportunities at all career levels and functions. STEM encompasses a variety of exciting career routes in recycling from working in artificial intelligence and sustainability to designing innovative products with recycling in mind, and beyond. Learn how to showcase these opportunities to potential employees. Take back the tools to highlight STEM careers in your facilities that will attract the right people for the right jobs.
8:45 - 10:00 am
Spotlight on Electronics - Checking the Pulse: Changes in Electronics Recycling
Electronics Reuse and Recycling is one of the most dynamic industries in the world. Constantly changing equipment streams, data security methods, customer requirements, regulations, market conditions, trade restrictions, and certification standards are a challenges for every recycler. This session will discuss the key changes in the industry, and how to stay on top of them.
8:45 - 9:45 am
Environmental Justice and Community Impact
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency defines environmental justice as the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national origin, or income, with respect to the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies. In 1992, EPA established an environmental justice office, and two years later President Clinton issued an executive order for all federal government agencies to consider environmental justice in their decisions. The current administration has placed further emphasis on federal agencies to include environmental justice principles in decision-making and many states are doing the same. As EPA and the states seek to engage more with communities on environmental justice-related issues, it is important for ISRI members to proactively participate in discussions that help avoid unintended consequences. This session will provide insight on how to engage at the local, state, and federal levels using thoughtful, transparent, and positive approaches that will result in win-win solutions.
10:30 - 11:45 am
Mental Health and Suicide Prevention in the Workplace and Beyond
Mental health can be treated; suicide can be prevented. Hear from professionals in both areas about the effects each can have on your workplace and what you can do to address the needs of your workforce.
10:30 - 11:45 am
Trucking/ Transportation Regulations and Responsibility – “What you need to know”
Commercial Vehicle Safety Regulations can be complicated and confusing. Learn from a panel of experts as they share information and answer your questions on hiring drivers, maintaining driver files, and more.
10:30 - 11:45 am
Spotlight on Aluminum: A Market in Transition
U.S. aluminum mill capacity expansion plans, rising EV demand, global supply disruptions, and geo-political events are some of the key factors that are transforming the market for recycled aluminum. Market participants who want to stay ahead of the curve can’t afford to miss this year’s Spotlight on Aluminum.
10:30 - 11:30 am
Profitability and Asset Management: Through the Finance Lens
From Fortune 500 corporations to privately held multi-generational companies, finance plays a critical role in how an organization manages its cash flow. Gain an understanding into how to use finance options in the right scenarios to make the difference in optimizing the growth trajectory of your business. See a full analysis of cash purchases versus financing and when to use different types of financing methods to best manage your company’s equipment assets.
2:15 - 3:30 pm
Spotlight on Copper: Recycled Metals in Focus
Copper prices got off to a fast start in 2023 amid expectations for growing demand for primary and secondary copper. This year’s Copper Spotlight features industry professionals from the copper production and recycled materials industries who will dive into the key trends impacting the demand for recycled copper and copper alloys, both in North America and in overseas markets.
2:15 - 3:30 PM
Understanding Your Impact: Knowing The Numbers that Matter
The only thing more impactful to your bottom line than knowing your data is not knowing your data. Do you know your experience modifier, how much loss you experience due to workflow inefficiencies, or how much energy you consume? To change these data points you must first understand them. In this session, panelists will share the value this data and how they work to continually improve their tracking and performance around these data points. As ESG requirements trickle down from your customers and suppliers, and as insurance premiums continue to rise, now is the time to take steps toward understanding and improving your data. (Trying to add Jane Chen)
2:15 - 3:30 PM
Crime Prevention By Design
Preventing crime through the design of your facility could be a game changer for your operation. Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design, or CPTED, shows how your facilities can be designed to prevent thieves from stealing and possibly stop them from attempting to sell you stolen property.
4:00 - 5:00 pm
Influencers Make Great Leaders
Learn how to step into your power as an influencer with assurance, authenticity, “presence,” and quantifiable success. Hear from four dynamic professionals who became influencers and ultimately top-tier leaders of their companies. Their journeys to leadership were not effortless; yet they paved the way for many others to become leaders in the industry today and in future generations.
4:00 - 5:00 pm
Acceptable Risk? Challenging Your Approach to Health and Safety In Your Facility
In this session, learn how to take a proactive, risk-first approach to your facility’s health and safety program. Panelists will discuss their companies’ safety programs and why they are focused on leading indicators and comprehensive risk mitigation strategies. They will share how they limit safety incidents, retain staff, and lower insurance premiums. Come away with tools to help you turn a cost into an investment and ways to lower your bottom line.
4:00 - 5:00 pm
The Evolving Battery Landscape in Electronics and Metals Recycling
The world is becoming increasingly electrified. This movement presents our industry with challenges and tremendous opportunities to set forth and practice best economic, environmental, and safety measures to not just keep up with the changes, but act as leaders and pioneers in the electrification movement. Gain insights and engage with leaders in the battery, electronics, and metals recycling fields.
9:30 - 10:45 am
Electric Vehicles: Are You and Your Facilities Ready?
Safety and training are critical as electric vehicles and materials begin to enter the recycling stream. Take back the tools to prepare your workforce to handle these vehicles safely.
2:00 - 3:15 pm
Marketing the Unmarketable
The metals and mining industries are some of the oldest industries that helped to shape global manufacturing and commerce. However, the ever-changing marketing landscape as well as emerging technologies are often moving faster than the industry itself can consume, digest, and implement modern marketing and communication strategies. In this session, dive into traditional and digital means of marketing and communication and learn how companies can build sustainable brands that will not only stand the test of time, but also give them a competitive advantage among their peers.
2:00 - 3:15 pm
Lithium-Ion Batteries: Safe Handling, Storage, Recycling, and Transporting
In this session, experts from Call2Recycle and Li-Cycle will discuss proper ways to handle, store, ship, and recycle lithium-ion batteries for optimum safety and risk mitigation. Learn about methods to control risks of batteries, procedures to handle both in-tact and damaged batteries, and proper response to an incident.
2:00 - 3:15 pm
Implementing BASEL’s New Annexes
During the last meeting of the Basel Convention, two new proposals were adopted that may have profound impacts on the recycling of used electronic devices and other recycled materials. While these new proposals will not go into effect right away, it is imperative that you understand the implications and prepare in advance to meet these new compliance objectives.