CRRA 2023 Conference and Trade Show

Director of Government Affairs - California

Mike Caprio holds the position of Director of Government Affairs – CA for Republic Services.  In this role, he oversees legislative and regulatory activities throughout the state and provides advocacy on matters related to environmental services, climate initiatives, the circular economy and sustainability.  Mike works closely with peers in the industry as well as several non-profit organizations that advocate on common issues.   His operations background has provided an in-depth view of the challenges associated with implementation of policy decisions and how initiatives can be developed so that optimal outcomes are achieved.
 
Mike has been with Republic Services and their predecessors since 1998. Prior to moving into his current role, he led Republic’s operations throughout the state and oversaw relationships with public entities, talent acquisition and development, achievement of financial goals, safety, compliance as well as the advancement of the company’s inclusion and diversity platform.  During his career he has held roles of increasing responsibility including District Manager, Assistant Region Vice President and Area President.   Prior to his career with Republic, he was employed for five years with Browning Ferris Industries as District Manager for its Northern California landfills.  He  served as Environmental Manager for Recology’s Bay Area operations for six years preceding this. 
 
Throughout his career, Mike has demonstrated his ability to develop strong relationships with key stakeholders and successfully execute upon business and sustainability objectives.  He holds a M.A. degree in Environmental Management from the University of San Francisco and a B.S. degree in Geology from the University of Colorado, Boulder. 

Changing System Design for Management of Recyclables in the Era of SB54

Recent passage of climate and EPR legislation has initiated a shift in how environmental service providers view collection and processing options.  Source reduction remains paramount and serves as a cornerstone of every well conceived waste and recyclables management program.   However, management of materials that remain in the product stream will require enhanced cooperation from consumers, service providers, manufacturers and the regulatory community.   While zero waste remains the primary goal, minimization of single use packaging and product innovation relative reusable packaging will become key focus areas.   Public education of consumers and alignment of post collection processing capabilities with the objectives of SB54 regulations currently being drafted will be critical.   This segment reviews the current state of legislative and regulatory objectives and how they will influence manufacturers, service providers and public entities in the selection and implementation of programs to achieve the desired outcome.  Variations in social and economic priorities among geographic regions of the state add a layer of complexity that further increase the challenges faced by those involved.

Environmental Services Manager

Chief Ecological Officer

Steve Lautze has over 40 years of experience in waste reduction and recycling market development, spanning operations, policy advocacy, and work with scores of reuse and recycling-based manufacturing companies.  After working initially in buyback operations and commercial recycling consulting, Steve made a bold shift to focus on recycling market development and urban sustainability issues for 20 years in the dynamic city of Oakland, including service as President of the California Assn. of Recycling Market Development Zones for 16 years.  Currently an independent consultant, Steve remains focused on market and infrastructure development, without which there can be no real circular economy.

Can't Have a Circlular Economy Without Closing the Loop

Historically, California waste reduction policy and effort has focused disproportionately on landfill diversion, including AB 939, SB 341, and most recently SB 1383.  Meanwhile, restrictions on exports to China and other offshore markets have translated into a statewide recycling rate below 40%, a far cry from the heady claims of 60% landfilll diversion just 10 years ago.  Market and infrastructure development have received more attention recently, including policies hatched by the statewide Market Development Commission (2020-22), though various extended producer responsibility (EPR) meaures have yielded uneven degrees of success.  CalRecycle funding for market development has increased somewhat, but is also sporadic.  There is also much talk and some action from the private sector to pursue a "circular economy".  CalRecycle committed to create an Office of Innovation for Market Development (OIMD) back in late 2021; however, at this writing, 18 months later, no director for this office has yet been hired, and its mission is stuck in neutral.  The reality is that California will never approach 75% recycling or a circular economy unless there is increased focus on and resources for more market and infrastructure development throughout the state.  In this presentation, attendees will learn about specific initiatives that will create more in-state demand for recyclables and organics, including: strengthening exisiting program such as RMDZ and sales tax exclusion incentives; national/international marketing of these programs to attract new market players; strategies for siting and permitting statewide, while respecting environmental justice; research and development to enhance and create new technologies; and more.

Resource Economist

Grant Readle is an economist who has worked for Edgar & Associates for over 8 years and specializes in solid waste management, greenhouse gases, investigating greenwashing claims, and materials forecasting. Mr. Readle holds a Master of Science degree in Agriculture and Resource Economics from University of California, Davis. His data-driven approach to modelling uses well documented, peer-reviewed, and government endorsed methodologies to approach complex waste diversion issues.

Tracing Recycling End Markets for Paper and Plastic

The United States has relied on international markets to support its recycling claims for paper and plastic waste. However, these recycling systems have remained opaque for decades, and few people know exactly what happens to these materials after they have been baled. China's push to restrict these materials have called into question the legitimacy and sustainability of these end markets. Many countries that are the now new destination for these materials face profound and alarming environmental justice issues that could be exacerbated by these waste imports. Brokers have an understandable commercial interest in not disclosing their buyers, and jurisdictions and purchasers of products have a right to know if the paper and plastic they discard into the blue bin are truly being recycled.
This session will provide strategies to solve the traceability paradox. These strategies will give jurisdictions and MRFs the tools needed to know where these exports are going. Through these tools MRFs, customers, jurisdictions, and brokers can make informed decisions about whether to include products in recycling programs.