The 2025 MRN/SWANA Mid-Atlantic Conference is officially in the books. The packed program featured three thought-provoking general sessions and four rounds of engaging concurrent sessions, giving attendees the chance to dive into some of the most pressing topics in solid waste and recycling.

From cutting-edge innovations to real-world solutions, there was something for everyone. Add in plenty of opportunities to connect with peers (see who registered and check out the pictures!) and explore our vendor showcase (see who was there) and the conference delivered both insight and inspiration.

The day started with an opening session on an important issue: Safety. A panel of mid-Atlantic recycling and solid waste professionals shared policies, procedures, technologies, and tools they’ve put in place to keep workers and customers safe.

Following the opening sessions, attendees split off into two-morning breakout sessions:

Breakout One featured Effective Data-Driven Procurement Strategies, offering practical insights into advancing the purchase of products with recycled content and more. For those on the solid waste side, Legislative & Regulatory Updates for Solid Waste Operations provided a review of recent permit review/compliance initiatives along with steps taken to meet the requirements.

Breakout Two began after a short break. Attendees could choose between a creative case study—Creating Messaging to Help Your Residents Live, Laugh, Love Your Integrated Solid Waste & Recycling Program—highlighting a community’s success in boosting residential recycling engagement, or MDE Update, a look at recent regulatory developments and their implications for solid waste management operations.

After the lunch break (which was delicious!), SWANA presented two student scholarships followed by the MRN Board of Directors elections where Kitty McIlroy, Michelle Blair, and Tony Drury were re-elected as president, vice-president, and secretary/treasurer respectively (see full election results).

The highlight of the lunch session was the presentation of the Maryland Recycling Network Awards honoring two of MRN’s long-time members and primo volunteers!

Chairman Bob Stumpff presented Dave Mrgich of the Maryland Department of the Environment with a 2025 Extraordinary Achievement Award, recognizing his decades of distinguished and dedicated service to recycling in Maryland. As Chief of the Waste Diversion Division at MDE, Dave has been a steadfast champion for waste reduction as well as a mainstay of the MRN community for years.

When asked about the honor, Dave said “I’m touched. I can’t believe that the people I’ve worked with for nearly 30 years think enough of me to honor me with this Extraordinary Achievement Award. It’s humbling and I’m honored.” With his retirement from MDE set for June 30, 2025, we extend our heartfelt thanks for his dedication. We will certainly miss him!

The tables were then turned on Bob Stumpff when MRN BOD member Chaz Miller presented him with the Dwight Copenhaver Lifetime Achievement Award. Bob’s remarkable career spans roles at the University of Maryland College Park and the City of College Park, where his innovative approach significantly improved recycling and solid waste operations.

Though he officially retired in 2018, Bob’s commitment hasn’t slowed as he continues to serve as MRN’s Chairman, keeping the Board both focused and moving forward. Read more about Bob's incredible career.

Following lunch, attendees were treated to a panel discussion on Maryland’s new EPR for Packaging legislation, which also touched on the recently completed HDR Needs Assessment and what it all means for the future of recycling and solid waste programs across the state.

With that groundwork laid, it was time to dive into the afternoon sessions:

Breakout One offered two compelling sessions. Reuse Amplifier which focused on how to expand reuse programs to effectively complement local recycling efforts. Across the hall, Batteries: Recharged provided an important update on best practices for keeping batteries out of the waste stream, and how to handle the risks when they do make it in.

Breakout Two gave attendees a chance to dive into specialized topics. In Food Scraps: Getting Started, two local operators shared their firsthand experiences launching food scraps collection programs, offering practical tips and lessons learned. Meanwhile, Solar Panels: Uh Oh... Where Do They Go? addressed the growing challenge of responsibly managing end-of-life solar panels and keeping them out of the landfills.

Attendees gathered together once again for the final general session which touched on another issue that is top of the mind: AI: The Next Generation of Solid Waste and Recycling Management. This session took the mystery out of AI by showing how it can be used in solid waste/recycling decision-making and robotics to optimize processing and minimize contamination.

For those that still had some energy, the day ended with a reception complete with crab cakes, crab soup, and more. Here’s until next year!

*You can view pdfs of speaker slides here.

**Photos courtesy of Andrew Kays

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