Gaining Ground in Organics Recycling

Join us on Tuesday, March 6, 2007, for this professional conference and vendor exhibits.  On Wednesday, March 7, 2007, make optional site visits to an on-farm composting facility, a supermarket that diverts food waste, and an end-user of compost.  The Summit attracted more than 225 professionals from 14 states in 2006 and continues to grow every year, making it a terrific networking opportunity. 

Who Should Attend?

• Organics Recycling Professionals: Commercial and municipal composters, haulers, and equipment vendors.
  
  
• Government Officials: Recycling, health, public works, wastewater, and composting.
  
  
• Food Waste/Organics Generators: Supermarkets, hotels, institutional food service, restaurants, healthcare, colleges, and corrections.

AGENDA: TUESDAY, March 6, 2007

8:00-9:00 a.m.    Registration & Continental Breakfast.  Exhibit Hall Open.

9:00-9:10 a.m.    Welcome & MassDEP Update: Ed Kunce
                          Deputy Commissioner for Operations

9:10-10:30 a.m.   Plenary Session: Anaerobic Digestion

Renewable energy from organics! Hear an overview of this emerging technology from Kelleher Environmental, a firm specializing in strategy, design, and development of AD systems. Also hear from Waste Management on the operations of its AD facility in the Midwest.

10:30-10:45 a.m.  Break & Exhibit Hall

10:45 a.m.-12:00 p.m.  Break-Out Sessions-NEW!

A. Mutual Opportunities: Many municipalities are expanding composting programs beyond their own leaf & yard waste. Hear about different approaches to public/private partnerships, including facility operations, and marketing of compost. MassDEP will also unveil its new publication on developing a sound bid and contract for food residual composting facility operations

B. Higher Value Markets: Learn how a composting company and USEPA are developing and promoting best uses of compost.

C. Common Ground: Learn how cooperation among state and local regulators and compost facility operators can enhance facility operations and integrate best management practices. Hear consensus building and mediation strategies about techniques for improving business relationships.

12:00-1:30 p.m.  Lunch & Exhibit Hall. 
                         Dessert will be served in the Exhibit Hall to encourage networking.

1:30-2:45 p.m.    Plenary Session: Innovative Food Waste Diversion Programs & 
                         Examples of Biodegradable Products Use

Case studies representing institutional and commercial generators of all sizes, including UMass Boston and the Cambridge business community. Hear from the State Purchasing Office about the new biodegradable products available through the State contract.

2:45-3:15 p.m.    Break & Exhibit Hall

3:15-4:15 p.m.    Roundtable Discussions

A.  Bridging the Divide: Promoting dialogue between large-scale generators and small-scale composters to understand each other’s needs and share ideas.

B.  Business Assistance: Learn about business planning and various financial assistance programs.

C. Training Needs: Discussion about the training needs of compost facility operators.

4:15 p.m.           Summit Concludes

Special Note: Many items used for food consumption during the Summit, such as plates and cutlery, will be biodegradable and composted after the Summit at Groundscapes Express. These products, manufactured by Nat-UR, are being donated by Cereplast.

Agenda: Wednesday, March 7, 2007

Free Site Tours!  Choose one, two or all three.

9:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.

• WeCare Environmental of Marlborough operates a rotary-kiln digester with a capacity of 120 tons per day that composts biosolids and food waste from supermarkets. Learn more: http://www.wecareorganics.com
  
  
• Whole Foods Market of Bellingham, a MassDEP Certified Supermarket, collects organics for composting, recycles cardboard and shrink-wrap, and donates surplus food.
  
  
• Wrentham Farm (Groundscapes Express) is an agricultural composting facility that leases a 10 acre parcel from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Source-separated food waste, biodegradable service ware, and commercial organics are composted using a dedicated windrow turner. View on-site demonstrations of erosion control measures utilizing compost blankets, FilterMitts(tm) berms, and the application of compost tea.

Tour Registration: Since there is limited capacity for the tours, registration is offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Tour confirmations will be sent before the event.

Safety: Recommended attire includes safety boots, hard hat, and safety glasses.

Driving Directions: To be provided. Tour attendees are responsible for their own transportation.

ADDITIONAL CONFERENCE INFORMATION

Location:

Best Western Royal Plaza
181 Boston Post Road (Route 20)
Marlborough, MA 01752

Hotel Rooms are available at $99 plus tax. To make reservations, call 1-888-543-9500 and mention that you will be attending the Organics Recycling Summit.

Directions:

Interstate 495 to Exit 24B.  Hotel is one mile on the right.   See Google Maps for customized directions from your starting point.

Weather:

In case of inclement weather, please call 617-654-6580 and listen for a recorded message regarding conference and tour status.

Register Online:

http://www.mass.gov/dep/recycle/reduce/orgreg.htm

Contact for Additional Information:

Morgan Harriman at 617-654-6580 or morgan.harriman@state.ma.us

Platinum Sponsors:

Agresource
Allu
BioTuf by Heritage
Jet-A-Way
Signature Marketing
Stearns & Wheler
Stop 'n' Shop Supermarket Co.