Session Details

Description

Recycling market development has been around for decades; however, it has seen a resurgence since increased export restrictions have forced recyclers to look at quality issues in commodity bales. In an attempt to accelerate improvements to the recycling value chain and recycled content manufacturing, several states have developed recycling market centers or programs that have a goal of achieving an equitable circular economy that strives for zero waste and climate resiliency. One of those programs is NextCycle, a recycling market development program focused on innovation and partnership, championed by several states that accelerates ideas to an investment-ready stage.
 
During this session, you’ll learn about NextCycle and experience a live pitch competition, where teams that have been vetted and supported by the NextCycle process will pitch their recycling, composting and end market ideas. Join us and be a part of this exciting event to help support innovative ideas that are getting us closer to a true circular economy.

Emcee/Moderator: Juri Freeman, Managing Principal, RRS 
Program Timing/Agenda Breakdown:

• NextCycle: Accelerating Equitable Circular Economies - Jim Frey, Co-founder & CEO, RRS 
• Recycling Market Development Best Practices - Dan Felton, Exec. Director, AMERIPEN
• Team Stories: Experiences from NextCycle Participants - Maria Marin, President, Unlimited Recycling

Pitch Competition 

• Each Team receives 5 minute pitch + 5 minute Q&A time with judges
• Audience Voting/Judging Evaluation 
• Results and Final Winners Announced

• James Eichner, Co-Founder & CSO, Sana Packaging
• Kyle Hanson, Founder and CEO, Timber Age Systems, Inc.
• Brian Spicer, Founder, Innovakote
• Jesse Stedman, Founder/CEO, Trash Panda Disc Golf

Esteemed Judges:

• Steve Alexander, President and CEO, Association of Plastics Recyclers
• Christopher Dipnarine, CEO, 4MyCiTy
• Maite Quinn-Richards, Managing Director, Closed Loop Partners

• Event