CALIFORNIA ROUNDTABLE
Single Stream: Closing the Loop
Taking A Whole Systems Approach
Sacramento, CA
May 23, 2005

DESIGN

ROUNDTABLE DESIGN

The Roundtable drew a most impressive group of 174 participants. Most were from California but a number were from other states, as well, particularly manufacturers that buy from California's recovered materials markets. They covered all sectors of the recycling system, with some representing more than one:

• Local government - 48
• State government - 34
• Federal government - 6
• Recycling collectors and haulers - 33
• Processors, MRF operators - 35
• Paper and other recovered materials brokers - 10
• Recycled product manufacturers - 24
• Equipment manufacturers - 2
• Recycling advocates (nonprofits, etc.) - 6
• Other (consultants, etc.) - 18

Because of the Sacramento location, there was strong representation from Central California as well as the Central and Northern Coastal cities. But nearly two dozen people traveled from Southern California, as well.

Most importantly, the Roundtable participants were among the most experienced recyclers in California, with many the directors, managers and supervisors of their programs; CEOs, presidents and top executives of their companies; along with engineers, planners, technical specialists, and analysts from many different levels of governments, organizations and companies.

We knew we could not solve all the problems in one day, but we asked the group to recognize:

1) There are real problems created by single stream,

2) There are also real opportunities created by it,

3) The only way we'll get to take advantage of the opportunities over the long run is to solve the problems,

4) That doesn't mean we have to go back to things the way they were,

5) We can go forward and get the best of single stream to benefit the whole recycling system - if we work together, representing a whole system.

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ROUNDTABLE AGENDA

8:45 a.m. Welcome -

• Eileen Sheehan, Manager, EPA-Region 9

• Rosalie Mulé, Board Member, California Integrated Waste Management Board

• Zenny Yagen, Recycling Specialist Supervisor, California Department of Conservation

8:55 a.m. Context - Looking at the Whole System - Susan Kinsella, Conservatree

9:05 a.m. Emphasizing Collaborative Approaches - Lori Lewis, Facilitator, EPA-Region 9

9:15 a.m. Panel 1 - Benefits of Single Stream

Moderator: Delyn Kies, Kies Strategies

Speakers:

• Local Government - Lynn France, City of Chula Vista

• Collector/Processor - Richard Abramowitz, Recycle America/Waste Management

• Manufacturer - Tamsin Ettefagh, Envision Plastics

10:00 a.m. Panel 2 - Challenges Presented by Single Stream

Moderator: Richard Gertman, Environmental Planning Consultants

Speakers:

• Local Government - Peter Slote, City of Oakland

• Local Government/Processor - Donna Perala, City of San Jose

• Manufacturer - Jay Simmons, Norpac/Weyerhaeuser, Newsprint

10:45 a.m. Break

11:00 a.m. Panel 3 - Recycled Product Manufacturing - What's the Future?

Moderator: Jim Hill, Dept. of Conservation

Speakers:

• Glass - Tom Mabie, Glass Packaging Institute
  

• Paper - Dick Johnston, Smurfit Stone Container, Paperboard
  

• Paper - Les Joel, Blue Heron Paper Company, Newsprint
  

• Plastics - Dennis Sabourin, NAPCOR

12:00 p.m. Lunch - Provided

1:00 p.m. Break-Out Sessions #1 - What Are We Building?

1. What Would A Healthy California Recycling System Look Like 10 Years From Now?
   

2. Can Foreign Recycled Manufacturing Offset Potential Domestic Recycled Manufacturing Losses?
   

3. Globalization: Are We At Its Mercy Or Can We Guide the Change?

2:00 p.m. Break

2:15 p.m. Break-Out Sessions #2 - Do We Have All the Right Tools?

1. Is "Diversion" Enough? Are the Goals of Diversion and Recycling Compatible?
   

2. Can Processing Technology and Equipment Design Solve Manufacturers' Problems?
   

3. Are Market Forces Enough To Develop the System and Solve Problems? (Or are there needs for legislation, regulations, financial incentives, tax credits, or other implementation assistance?)

3:15 p.m. Break

3:30 p.m. Whole Audience Discussion

• What Do We Want For the Future? (reports from Session 1)
  

• Do We Have All the Right Tools? (reports from Session 2)
  

• Who Is In the Driver's Seat?
  

• Recycling As A Whole System: Who's Responsible?
  

• Proposals for Moving Forward

5:00 p.m. Thank You! and Adjourn

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