Presenter: Daraius Irani, Ph.D., Vice President, Business & Public Engagement, Towson University -- (Slide Deck)

Maryland’s economy is facing significant strain amid broader national uncertainty, with its heavy reliance on federal employment and spending making it especially vulnerable. Roughly 10% of the state’s workforce is directly tied to the federal government, leaving it exposed to federal job cuts, reduced research funding, and policy shifts. At the same time, Maryland’s long-term growth has lagged behind peer states, with slower employment gains and increasing competition from lower-cost regions drawing both businesses and residents away.

Workforce and population trends are adding to these challenges. Maryland is experiencing notable domestic out-migration, particularly among younger residents who are leaving in search of greater affordability and economic opportunity. Labor shortages persist across key sectors such as healthcare, IT, and hospitality, compounded by lower workforce participation and reliance on immigrant labor. Stricter immigration policies threaten to further constrain these sectors, while an aging workforce leaves gaps that are not being fully replaced.

Affordability pressures—especially in housing—are a major concern. High mortgage rates, chronic underbuilding, and regulatory constraints have driven up costs, making homeownership increasingly unattainable for many residents. This has contributed to delayed household formation, with more young adults living with family and the median age of first-time homebuyers rising significantly. At the same time, rising consumer debt and delinquencies reflect growing financial stress among households.

Overall, Maryland’s key industries—captured in the “eds, meds, feds, beds, and treads” framework—are all under pressure from a mix of policy changes, economic slowdown, and shifting demand. Despite strong assets, including major federal installations and higher education institutions, the state lacks a clear, forward-looking economic strategy. Addressing structural budget deficits, improving growth competitiveness, and reducing dependence on federal spending will be critical to stabilizing and strengthening Maryland’s economy.

Note: This summary was AI-generated from the session transcript and reviewed.

Presenters:

• Andrew Vetter, Esq., Partner, Schwartz, Metz, Wise and Kauffman, P.A. -- (Slide Deck)
• Bradley Baker, MBA, PMP, Senior Program Manager - Resource Management Program, Maryland Department of the Environment -- (Slide Deck)

This session provided a comprehensive look back at Maryland’s 2026 legislative outcomes while setting the stage for what’s ahead in waste, recycling, and broader environmental policy. Key actions from the 2025 session included new PFAS restrictions on biosolids land application, continued work on lithium-ion battery safety through an extended commission, and ongoing rollout of the state’s packaging Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) program. At the same time, underlying system challenges remain evident, with recycling rates continuing to decline—from 45% in 2017 to 37.7% in 2024—and landfill capacity estimated at roughly 34 years statewide.

The session also emphasized how shifting political dynamics could shape future policy. While Maryland’s top statewide leadership is expected to remain stable, the General Assembly is facing notable turnover heading into the 2027 term, with multiple senators and delegates not seeking re-election. Combined with committee leadership changes and broader fiscal pressures—including a $1.5 billion budget deficit—these shifts are likely to influence how aggressively new environmental policies move forward in the coming years.

Several high-profile proposals did not pass in 2026, including the bottle bill and the Cherish Act focused on environmental justice, but both are expected to return in revised form. Looking ahead to 2027, policymakers are also expected to revisit issues like product-specific PFAS bans, additional EPR programs (for batteries, electronics, and mattresses), and potential updates to food waste diversion laws. At the same time, implementation work continues on existing initiatives, particularly packaging EPR regulations and enforcement of organics diversion requirements.

Overall, the discussion highlighted a central tension shaping Maryland’s approach: balancing ambitious environmental goals with economic realities and operational constraints. With declining recycling rates, evolving waste streams—especially organics—and growing attention to environmental justice, the state is entering a critical period where policy decisions, infrastructure investment, and stakeholder collaboration will determine how effectively it can transition to a more sustainable materials management system.

Note: This summary was AI-generated from the session transcript and reviewed.

Presenters:

Powering the Next Generation of Recycling Outreach

• Maggie Orozco, Communications Consultant. Resource Recycling Systems (RRS) -- (Slide Deck)

Optimizing Material Capture Rates (no slide deck available)

• Ray Hugel, CFA, Executive Director, Closed Loop Partners
• Jamie Lowrey, Program Manager, Strategic Initiatives, Circular Services 

The session explored how artificial intelligence is beginning to shape the recycling industry from multiple angles—communications, facility operations, and investment strategy. On the communications side, large language models are already proving useful for campaign development, helping teams cut production time roughly in half by quickly generating audience insights, messaging, and outreach materials. However, success depends on clear direction and strong human oversight, with AI best viewed as a fast but imperfect assistant that requires careful prompting and fact-checking.

In operations, the conversation shifted to a more rigorous standard for AI performance. While tools used for marketing or analysis can still add value at partial accuracy, AI deployed in material recovery facilities must operate with near-perfect precision to be viable. Vision systems and robotics are showing promise by tracking materials in real time, identifying inefficiencies, and potentially replacing manual sorters. Early pilots demonstrate that these systems can improve problem detection and material capture, though challenges remain in turning large volumes of data into actionable insights for facility staff.

The discussion also highlighted emerging applications beyond traditional recycling, particularly in organics processing. AI-powered vision systems can analyze incoming materials to better manage anaerobic digestion, helping operators optimize feedstocks and avoid costly system disruptions. At the same time, there is growing interest in using AI to support extended producer responsibility programs by tracking materials by brand or type, though scaling this across diverse infrastructure remains a challenge.

Finally, speakers emphasized the importance of balancing optimism with caution. While AI presents clear opportunities to improve efficiency and performance, it comes with costs—including energy use—and is still evolving in terms of reliability and readiness. From an investment perspective, the key questions remain practical: does the technology save time, improve operations, or deliver measurable financial returns? As a result, most organizations are taking a measured approach—testing and learning while avoiding overcommitment amid ongoing hype cycles.

Note: This summary was AI-generated from the session transcript and reviewed.

Presenters:

• Angela Webb, Chief, Recycled Products and Marketing, Maryland Environmental Service -- (Slide Deck) 
• Chaz Miller, Principal, Chaz Miller and Associates -- (Slide Deck)

Fiber, which makes up the bulk of material processed, remains steady near long-term average prices, supported by expanded domestic recycling capacity and consistent export demand. Maryland’s geographic position provides a competitive edge, allowing processors to access nearby mills and ports and often capture premiums for higher-quality material. Metals are another bright spot, with aluminum and steel generating strong revenue despite representing a small share of total volume.

In contrast, plastics markets remain volatile. PET prices have collapsed to near-zero levels due to a surge in low-cost virgin and imported resin, combined with shrinking domestic processing capacity and the loss of key end markets such as carpet manufacturing. While other plastics like HDPE and polypropylene have shown recent strength, their outlook is uncertain and tied closely to fluctuations in global resin supply and energy markets. Potential improvements could come from rising virgin resin costs and new regional processing capacity, but recovery will depend heavily on sustained demand for recycled content, particularly from major consumer brands.

Broader economic conditions are also influencing recycling demand. Slowing consumer spending—especially among lower- and middle-income households—is reducing overall goods consumption and, in turn, packaging volumes. Because packaging accounts for the majority of paper recycling, fewer product sales translate to weaker long-term demand for recovered materials. At the same time, shifts in retail behavior, such as growth in discount retailers and reduced discretionary spending, are reinforcing these trends.

Looking ahead, the outlook for Maryland’s recycling markets is cautiously stable but uncertain. Fiber and metals are expected to remain steady in the near term, while plastics—particularly PET—will continue to lag unless market demand improves. Success for material recovery facilities will depend on maintaining high-quality output, strong buyer relationships, and access to diverse markets. Maryland’s logistical advantages position it well, but ongoing geopolitical tensions, tariff policies, and global supply chain disruptions will remain key factors shaping market performance.

Note: This summary was AI-generated from the session transcript and reviewed.

Presenter:

• Hans Honerlah, Manager of Strategic Services, Republic Services -- (Slide deck)

The presentation focused on how solid waste facilities encounter and manage radioactive materials, emphasizing that most incidents involve low-risk or exempt materials rather than severe environmental hazards. The discussion highlighted that radioactive items in the waste stream are often consumer or medical in nature, such as smoke detectors or short-lived medical isotopes, and are generally considered safe for disposal under established guidelines. As a result, the primary concern in these situations is worker safety—ensuring employees understand basic radiation protection—rather than triggering large-scale environmental emergency responses.

Operationally, landfill facilities rely on portal monitors at entry points as the first line of detection, with handheld devices and local emergency responders providing secondary analysis when alarms occur. Decisions on how to handle flagged loads—whether to hold, reject, or dispose—are made by facility leadership (such as Environmental Managers or General Managers) based on repeated readings, documentation, and, when necessary, consultation with regulators. In some jurisdictions, facilities may allow “decay-in-place” for short-lived radioactive materials, meaning they are safely left within the landfill to lose radioactivity over time rather than being stored above ground.

The presentation also explained key regulatory and scientific concepts. Radioactive materials are categorized into NORM, TENORM, and NARM, with many of these falling outside direct federal regulation and instead governed inconsistently at the state level. The concept of half-life is central: medical isotopes may decay within days, while materials like radium or uranium persist for centuries or longer. Standard radiation safety principles—time, distance, and shielding—remain the cornerstone of protection strategies. Various industries contribute to NORM waste streams, including energy production, mining, water treatment, and construction materials, which can sometimes concentrate naturally occurring radioactive elements.

Finally, real-world examples demonstrated how radioactive materials commonly enter landfills, from medical isotopes detected in waste to misplaced industrial or research sources. The regulatory landscape is fragmented, with federal agencies like the NRC and DOE overseeing specific sectors while leaving major gaps for naturally occurring materials, creating variability across states. The session underscored that environmental risks are typically low due to aggregation with other wastes streams and decay, while worker protection remains the higher priority. Open questions remain regarding standards for certain waste streams and monitoring requirements.

Note: This summary was AI-generated from the session transcript and reviewed.

Presenters:

• Melissa Jung, Policy Officer, Upstreamsolutions -- (Slide Deck)
• Donnie Lewis, Director of Business Development, r.World Reusables -- (Slide Deck)

The presentation showed how reuse systems can grow when good policy is paired with the right infrastructure. A big focus was Maryland’s Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) law. One important takeaway: Maryland has made real progress by including reusable items as a covered material and setting targets for reuse and return rates. But the law does not yet require dedicated funding for reuse infrastructure, which leaves room for advocates and regulators to push for stronger results during the rulemaking process.

The session also made it clear that reuse policies are gaining momentum across North America, with more than 100 laws already in place. These include things like bag bans, “skip-the-stuff” rules, bring-your-own-container programs, and reuse requirements for places like restaurants, schools, and events. The overall message was simple: recycling alone will not be enough to meet climate goals. Cutting back on single-use materials has to be part of the solution. Maryland’s accessory-on-request rules and acceptance of reusable containers show that the state is moving in the same direction.

On the operations side, the idea of “shared reuse infrastructure” stood out as a practical way to make reuse work at a larger scale. In this model, reusable containers are collected along with recyclables, cleaned at nearby facilities, and then sent back out to be used again. Early pilots look promising, with return rates above 90%. Companies like r.World Reusables are already putting this model into action through wash hubs around the country, serving venues such as concert halls, sports arenas, universities, and corporate campuses.

The discussion also touched on the practical challenges that can make or break reuse programs. Costs can come close to balancing out, especially when programs reduce waste hauling, improve efficiency, or even increase sales per person. Still, getting everyone’s incentives aligned is not always easy. Branding, customer habits, and consistent operations all play a role in whether containers actually get returned. To make reuse systems reach their full potential, Maryland will need continued policy work, strong coordination among stakeholders, and more investment in infrastructure.

Note: This summary was AI-generated from the session transcript..

Presenters: -- (Slide Deck)

• Laura Jo Oakes, P.E., BCEE, Mid-Atlantic Engineering Services Manager, EA Engineering, Science, and Technology, Inc., PBC 
• Diana McKenney, PMP, Project Manager, Northeast Maryland Waste Disposal Authority

This conference session highlighted the successful remediation and reuse of Montgomery County’s oldest permitted landfill, transforming a long-closed 162-acre site into a public recreational space. Originally operated from 1964 to 1982 with minimal closure controls, the landfill had ongoing environmental concerns including groundwater contamination, landfill gas migration, and leachate seeps. Driven by sustained community advocacy and state regulatory action beginning in 2008, the county undertook a comprehensive remediation effort. The project reached substantial completion in late 2025 with installation of a 92-acre geosynthetic cap, upgrades to the landfill gas system, and the addition of passive recreational amenities like trails, a dog park, and disc golf.

The technical approach focused on stabilizing environmental risks while preparing the site for safe public use. Extensive grading and waste relocation were required to support the cap system, which was designed to limit infiltration and control emissions. A modernized landfill gas collection system replaced outdated infrastructure, improving performance and reducing exposure risks. Stormwater controls were designed to maintain existing drainage patterns while minimizing erosion. Throughout planning and design, the project team also prioritized long-term settlement considerations and constructability to ensure durability and efficient implementation.

Community engagement played a central role in shaping the project’s outcome. Local residents—many of whom had long expected recreational use of the site—were actively involved through dozens of meetings and surveys that informed design decisions. This collaboration helped build trust and ensured that final amenities aligned with community needs. Despite construction adjacent to residential areas, odor and disruption were minimal, reflecting careful management and effective mitigation strategies during earthwork and waste handling.

Key challenges included unexpectedly high volumes of leachate seepage and significant weather disruptions, both of which required adaptive management during construction. Even so, strong coordination among contractors, engineers, and regulators enabled the project to stay ahead of schedule. The result is a model for landfill reuse that balances environmental remediation with community benefit, while ongoing monitoring and minor final improvements continue to support long-term performance and site usability.

Note: This summary was AI-generated from the session transcript and reviewed.

Presenters:

• Jacob Saffert, Director of Eastern States, Paintcare -- (Slide Deck)
• Shannon McDonald, Director, Waste Diversion Division, Maryland Department of the Environment -- (Slide Deck)

Maryland’s new PaintCare program, launched April 1, 2026, represents a major shift in how leftover paint is collected and managed across the state. As the 13th program of its kind nationally, it establishes a convenient, statewide network of more than 100 drop-off sites and is expected to collect roughly 350,000 gallons of paint in its first year—growing to 500,000 gallons in 2027. Importantly, the program moves the financial burden of paint disposal away from local governments and onto manufacturers through a fee built into paint purchases, delivering meaningful cost savings for county household hazardous waste programs.

The program is designed for accessibility and ease of use. Most residents now live within a short drive of a drop-off site, many of which are located at paint retailers and hardware stores. It accepts a wide range of common architectural coatings—like latex and oil-based paints, stains, and varnishes—in containers up to five gallons. Collected paint is then sorted and managed based on type: latex paint is often recycled into new paint or reused when possible, while oil-based products are typically handled through energy recovery processes.

Operationally, the system is still maturing. Early challenges include pickup scheduling delays, limited on-site storage capacity, and public confusion about program rules—such as container size limits. Some sites have already experienced overflow issues, highlighting the need for infrastructure improvements and better consumer awareness. In response, PaintCare and its partners are working to refine logistics, expand site participation, and gradually increase outreach efforts as the system stabilizes.

Looking ahead, the program is expected to deliver broader environmental and operational benefits. By diverting large volumes of paint from landfills, it supports higher recycling rates and preserves disposal capacity, while also reducing emissions by enabling drop-off closer to where products are purchased. At the same time, it serves as a model for future Extended Producer Responsibility efforts in Maryland, offering insights into funding mechanisms, stakeholder coordination, and the balance between convenience, cost, and environmental impact.

Note: This summary was AI-generated from the session transcript and reviewed.

Presenters:

• Jack Bernardino, MBA, Director, Commercial Origination & Business Development, AMP -- (Slide Deck)
• Spence Davenport, Owner, Digital Industrial and Recyclesaurus.com -- (Slide Deck)

Mixed waste processing continues to evolve as both a technology and policy option, with growing interest alongside ongoing skepticism. Across the U.S., about two dozen facilities are operating with a wide range of approaches—from relatively simple systems focused on extracting fines for landfill use to highly complex, $100M+ facilities that recover recyclables, produce fuel, and process organics. These projects require significant scale (typically 200,000+ tons annually) and have been shaped by both successful deployments and high-profile failures, which continue to influence how stakeholders view the space.

Recent advancements in AI-driven sorting are changing what’s possible within this sector. AMP’s technology, for example, uses optical recognition and machine learning to identify materials at a highly granular level and achieve system uptime above 90%. Its modular design allows facilities to scale efficiently while reducing reliance on traditional, maintenance-heavy equipment. At a large Virginia project, this approach is delivering about a 60% diversion rate—with contractual guarantees of at least 50%—while producing recyclables that meet market specifications despite coming from mixed waste streams.

That Virginia project highlights how mixed waste processing can be deployed at scale. Under a long-term regional agreement, the system is designed to process more than half a million tons per year and significantly increase recycling rates for participating communities. It also incorporates new approaches to organics management, including pyrolysis to convert waste into biochar, creating potential environmental benefits such as methane reduction and emerging carbon credit opportunities.

At the same time, mixed waste processing is not a one-size-fits-all solution. Traditional single-stream recycling systems still outperform it in many cases—particularly in greenhouse gas outcomes when capture rates are high. Instead, mixed waste processing may be most effective as a complementary strategy: addressing gaps like multifamily buildings, public venues, or rural areas where source separation is difficult. As policies like EPR and landfill diversion mandates expand, these systems could play a more targeted role in capturing materials that would otherwise be lost.

Note: This summary was AI-generated from the session transcript and reviewed.