2026 MRN/SWANA-MA Conference Program - Maryland Recycling Network

Home2026 MRN/SWANA MA Conference Program

2026 MRN/SWANA Mid-Atlantic Conference Program

Preliminary Program (subject to change)

7:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.	Registration Open
8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.	Continental Breakfast in Exhibit Area
9:00 a.m. - 9:50 a.m.	*Opening General Session* - State of the Mid-Atlantic Economy: Key Implications for Solid Waste and Recycling Programs Daraius Irani, Ph.D., Vice President, Business & Public Engagement, Towson University
10:00 a.m. - 10:50 a.m.	*Concurrent Sessions* Recycling Markets Update – Recent and Anticipated Trends Angela Webb, Chief, Recycled Products and Marketing, Maryland Environmental Service Chaz Miller, Principal, Chaz Miller and Associates Radioactive Waste Screening Hans Honerlah, Manager of Strategic Services, Republic Services
10:50 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.	Break and Exhibits Open
11:30 a.m. - 12:20 p.m.	*Concurrent Sessions* Innovative Reuse Programs Melissa Jung, Policy Officer, Upstream Donnie Lewis, Director of Business Development, r.World Reusables Sustainable Cremation
12:20 p.m. - 1:35 p.m.	Lunch and Exhibits Open
1:35 p.m. - 2:20 p.m.	General Session - Legislative/Regulatory Update: Implementations to Date and Expectations for the Future Andrew Vetter, Esq., Partner, Schwartz, Metz, Wise and Kauffman, P.A. Bradley Baker, MBA, PMP, Senior Program Manager - Resource Management Program, Maryland Department of the Environment
2:30 p.m. - 3:20 p.m.	*Concurrent Sessions* Recycling Coordinator Rotating Problem-Solving Roundtables MDE's Environmental Justice Tool and Its Applicability In Current and Future Projects Aneca Atkinson, Assistant Secretary of Environmental Justice, Maryland Department of the Environment Ardenia Holland, Civic, Community & Public Engagement Coordinator, Maryland Department of the Environment Alex Lima, Civic, Community, and Public Engagement Coordinator, Maryland Department of the Environment
3:20 p.m. - 3:50 p.m.	Break and Exhibits Open
3:50 p.m. - 4:40 p.m.	*Concurrent Sessions* PaintCare in Action Jacob Saffert, States Program Manager, PaintCare Shannon McDonald, Director, Waste Diversion Division, Maryland Department of the Environment Dirty MRFs: The Future or Just a Distraction? Jack Bernardino, MBA, Director, Commercial Origination & Business Development, AMP Spence Davenport, Owner of Digital Industrial and Recyclesaurus.com
4:50 p.m. - 5:35 p.m.	Closing General Session - Performance Enhancement through AI Data Analysis Powering the Next Generation of Recycling Outreach Maggie Orozco, Communications Consultant. Resource Recycling Systems (RRS) Optimizing Material Capture Rates Ray Hugel, CFA, Executive Director, Closed Loop Partners Jamie Lowrey, Program Manager, Strategic Initiatives, Circular Services
5:35 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.	Networking Reception