SERDC Fall Workshop and Annual Meeting 

October 16, 2019
Riverbanks Zoo, Columbia SC

"Making recycling sustainable is a process we're nearly and dearly working on. We’ve been monkeying around with a few possibilities, but we’d be lion if we said we had solved it yet. We could talk about the elephants in the room but we hate to keep badgering people who just can’t bear it. It’s driving all of us batty."
Rusty Angel, Programming Committee Co-Chair.


Agenda                                                                          View Speaker Presentations and Bios 

8:45 am   Zoo opens for attendee admission (get your ticket at the SERDC table at the entrance of the Botanical Gardens)

9:15 - 9:25 am   Welcome and Introductions

9:30 am - 9:55 am     America Recycles Day Update- Cheryl Coleman, EPA
An update from the EPA on the collaborative efforts to bring more support and awareness of recycling in the US.

10:00 am - 10:25 am     Discussion on markets, but not another markets discussion- Andy Johnson, KW Plastics; Will Newsome, Sonoco; 
OK, it's obvious China has disrupted the market but not because they were taking all of our recycling.  This talk will look at the current market struggles, but more importantly cover capacity, demand and current expansions to the domestic scene that's on the horizon.

10:30 am - 10:45 am     Morning Break

10:45 am - 11:25 am     Recycling Programs Under Fire?-  Lisa Skumatz, SERA
What options are available that will allow programs to reduce contamination and explore other recycling market issues. We will discuss nine methods that have been tried in the US and overseas and will focus on the central role that MRFs hold in the equation. In addition, three of the most promising strategies being tried to improve the situation in the US, and "pros and cons" cases studies on how communities can move forward will be presented. 

11:30 pm - 12:30 pm    Lunch and SERDC Annual Member Meeting
Hear an update on the year's past activities, future projects and vote on proposed new board members for the 2020 year.  Open to all attendees.

12:30 am - 1:40 pm     State Panel - Michael Grappe, AK; Gary Logsdon, KY; Wendy Worley, NC; Richard Chesley, SC; Justin Williams, VA; Susan Wood, GA
There's been a lot of momentum in cleaning up the materials stream.  Hear from Southeastern state leaders on what they are working on.

1:45 pm - 2:20 pm     Success - Sheila Sarovich, Waste Management
The Recycle Right message is breaking through as communities work collaboratively to help constituents change their behavior and reduce contamination. What we’ve learned is that recycling education needs to be clear, consistent, and communicated across all channels to be effective. Addressing the barriers that prevent folks from recycling right, using the right enforcement levers, and celebrating successes are the basic tenants of a winning recycling education program. Learn more about how several communities – big and small – are leveraging recycling education best practices from boots on the ground to widgets and social media to reduce recycling contamination.

2:20 pm - 2:30 pm     Afternoon Break

2:30 pm - 4:45 pm     Cart Tagging Training- Rachel Kipar, The Recycling Partnership with Allison Brockman, City of Greenville, SC
Studies have shown that reinforcement at the curb brings great success in reducing contamination.  Learn how to conduct a cart tagging program and get guidance from communities that have conducted a campaign and found success.

5 pm   Workshop ends

Directions:

The workshop is in the Magnolia Room located at the Botanical Gardens side of the Zoo.  There is parking for this side separate from the zoo main entrance.  It is just off SC Highway 378 at I-20 and I-26.

1300 Botanical Parkway
West Columbia, SC 29169


There are many hotels near the zoo, but the State Fair is in Columbia and hotels are filling up fast. 

The Homewood Suites, Staybridge Suites, Embassy Suites, Holiday Inn Express and SpringHill Suites are all within a 10 minute drive of the zoo with advertised rates under $200 a night. 

If you need GSA rate lodging, please email jen.dabbs@serdc.org with nights needed.  There is a GSA room block at the Double Tree on Bush River Rd. that we can request for you.

Below is a Google Map of Riverbanks Zoo, Columbia, SC with nearby hotels indicated.  Not all of these have rooms available for Oct. 15-17. 

The Botanical Gardens address is:
1300 Botanical Parkway
West Columbia, SC 29169

Thank you!

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