OCTOBER 6 & 7 | MSU MANAGEMENT EDUCATION CENTER | TROY, MI
Fall Into Recycling is a Michigan Recycling Coalition educational workshop designed to inform and support public and private sector decision makers, program managers, and service providers. This year the Michigan Recycling Coalition is collaborating with NextCycle Michigan to present NextCycle Team Pitches which will showcase 25 Michigan-based innovative and collaborative circular economy solutions.
Interested in learning more about the recycling industry, service provision, and their contribution to state and local economies? Join us to learn more about these topics.
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| Drury Inn & Suites Troy 575 West Big Beaver Rd. Troy, MI 48084 (800) 325-0720 Reserve by September 15 to receive special rates ($108) under group #10028510, or use this link. | Embassy Suites Troy 850 Tower Dr. Troy, MI 48098 (866) 238-4218 Reserve by September 14 to receive special rates ($149 King, $169 Double) under "Michigan Recycling Coalition," or use this link. | |
9:00 AM Registration Open
10:00 AM
KEYNOTE
Partnerships: A Key Component for Sustainable Innovation
Innovation is a key component of sustainability. Innovative approaches, products, technologies, and packaging are constantly introduced into the marketplace, but many are not sustainable. Learn how partnerships can create collaborative platforms that result in economic opportunities, accelerated timelines, and long term success.
Cheryl T Coleman is the Vice President for Sustainability at The Institute for Scrap
Recycling Industries (ISRI). Cheryl has over 30 years of experience in materials management. In her current role at ISRI, she is leading efforts with ISRI members and other stakeholders to strengthen the industry's voice in domestic and global policy sustainability discussions including climate change, the circular economy, and environmental justice. She is also leading the development of a Recyclability Protocol Program for fiber based packaging and is working with Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribal Colleges and Universities, technical schools, and community colleges to increase awareness of career opportunities in the recycling industry.
Cheryl previously served as the Director of the Resource Conservation and Sustainability Division at US Environmental Protection Agency where she led efforts to improve the US recycling system, reduce food loss and waste, and manage beneficial use of electronics and industrial materials. In her position at EPA, Ms. Coleman represented the US on issues related to sustainable materials management at the Milan Expo, an expert Life Cycle workshop in Kyoto, Japan, and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) Working Party on Resource Productivity and Waste.
11:00 AM EDUCATIONAL SESSION
How Accelerators Can Help Grow Your Role in the Circular Economy
Accelerators and incubators are economic development tools used to stimulate growth of targeted industries by supporting companies with innovative or “disruptive” ideas. This approach has become common in certain industries, such as renewable energy and transportation, and is now being applied to the circular economy. The goal is to advance the next generation of entrepreneurs and business ideas in order to spark innovation and partnership to grow the circular economy. Accelerators provide mentorship, access to resources, technical expertise, and networking with potential partners, and, more importantly, investors. See how accelerators are being deployed to mitigate pollution and climate change and advance circular economy ideas. This panel will explore the importance of early-stage support to accelerate innovative business models, and provides first-hand accounts from entrepreneurs who have benefited from participation in circular economy business accelerators.
Noon LUNCH
1:00 PM CONCURRENT NEXTCYCLE MICHIGAN PITCHES
Pitch Session #1: Turning the Wheel of Innovation
The Michigan Economy has long been defined by the automobile. It stands to reason that the state’s Circular Economy can be driven by this key industry as well. The NextCycle Michigan 2022 Cohort features several innovative auto-related projects, including Electric Vehicle (EV) battery recycling, reclamation of auto dunnage, and utilization of plastics, tires and shingles in Michigan’s roads and pathways. This session will include pitch-style presentations from seven NextCycle teams from the Recycling Supply Chain (RSC) and ROADS innovation challenge tracks. Most of these teams are seeking funding and partnerships:
- Rampf Group Inc.: Employing Hot Melt Adhesives produced from recycled PET as additives to Asphalt for Addressing Potholes
- GAIA Analytical Sciences: Rapid Road Repair using Cold Pour Mix with Scrap Tire Rubber
- NecoTech: Recycled Plastics for Superior Performance in Asphalt Pavements
- Edge Materials Management (EMM): Post Consumer & Commercial Plastic Reclamation
- ReCharge Recycling: EV Battery Reuse and Recycling - Part of the Flint Green Valley Project
- VMX International: VMX Green EV Battery Recycling Center
Pitch Session #2: Beyond Recycling
Residential recycling is often the first thing we often think about when it comes to the circular economy but if we look upstream or beyond this frame innovation abounds. Whether it is designing packaging for recyclability, upcycling industrial and commercial textile scrap into consumer products, or recovering pieces of Detroit’s architectural heritage as affordable housing materials. This session features seven projects presented in a pitch-style format by NextCycle teams from the 2022 Cohort. It includes four teams from the RSC Track and three public sector teams from the I2P3 track.
- Public Thread: Textile Upcycling & Market Development
- Suppliers Partnership for the Environment: Consolidation of Automotive Supply Chain Packaging for Recycling
- Architectural Salvage Warehouse of Detroit: Reuse Retail and Beyond
- Pink Elephant Products and Events: Event Waste Diversion in Southeastern Michigan
- City of Mt Pleasant: Anaerobic Co-Digestion of Food Waste and Sludge at The Mount Pleasant Water Resource Recovery Facility (WRRF)
- City of Ann Arbor: Accelerating the Circular Economy in and around Ann Arbor
- RRRASOC, SOCRRA: Storm and Disaster Debris Management Plan
3:30 PM EDUCATIONAL SESSION
Accessing Capital to Finance Your Big Idea
As traditional and impact investors ramp up investment in climate mitigation and response, all related solutions are on the table, including those related to waste diversion, recovery, reuse, recycling and composting. These circular economy solutions provide significant environmental, economic, and social benefits. We also recognize that a significant barrier to success is the access to funding for research and development, early commercialization, infrastructure development, and other investments required to bring those projects to life. This panel will explore the emerging and evolving landscape of private investment in the circular economy, clean tech, and other climate-related industries and will share insights that will inform and inspire.
4:30 PM
Benefits of a Michigan Circular Economy
5:00 PM
NETWORKING RECEPTION
Mix and mingle with attendees and invited guest to learn more about the exciting developments happening across the state and how you can develop partnerships and step into new opportunities.
8:30 AM
BREAKFAST ROUNDTABLES
Join colleagues for topic-based discussions while you enjoy breakfast.
9:30 AM CONCURRENT NEXTCYCLE MICHIGAN PITCHES
Pitch Session #3: Community-based Solutions
Increasing recycling access for all types of communities across Michigan is essential for meeting the State’s waste diversion goals. Successful municipal recycling requires solutions that are scaled to meet the needs and conditions of a given community. The beautiful and diverse tapestry of towns, cities, counties, and regions in Michigan presents a range of opportunities and innovation. This session features seven community-based recycling projects presented in a pitch-style format by NextCycle teams from the 2022 Cohort. It includes five public sector teams from the I2P3 track, a university from the ROADS track and a private firm from the RSC track:
- Michigan Technological University (MTU): The Marketing Development and Implementation of Recycled Glass for Asphalt Pavements
- Biz Aid LLC: Recycling From Neglected To Respected; Hub and Spoke plan empowering small collection programs.
- HSC Foundation, Alger County, Schoolcraft County: Upper Peninsula Recycling Collaboration
- Pontiac Regional Chamber of Commerce: NOCRA
- Northeast Michigan Council of Governments (NEMCOG): Scaling Regional Recycling in NEMCOG's 8-county region
- Shiawassee Health and Wellness: Great Lakes Fusion Dj Root Vocational Training Recycling Center
- West Michigan Sustainable Business Forum (WMSBF): Developing recycling infrastructure and circular economy opportunities in Benton Harbor
Pitch Session #4: Shovel Ready
Projects in this session are ready to roll. Four ROADS teams and one RSC team have pulled the pieces together, raised the necessary funding, and are prepared to implement their projects. This session will provide a platform to showcase their work. Additionally, this session will feature a presentation which highlights the various pathways for shovel-ready projects through NextCycle as demonstrated by featured partner projects.
- Noble Polymers: Next Life for Recycled Plastics
- Goodwill Industries of West Michigan & HydroBlox: Plastic Waste to Storm Water Management Systems
- BSG Tire Recycling, Porous Pave Inc.: Collaboration for Pathway Innovation with Scrap Tires
- American Classic Construction and Supply: Portable Asphalt Shingle Processing
- Great Lakes Tissue
- Recycle Ann Arbor
Noon LUNCH
1:00 PM EDUCATIONAL SESSION
Leveraging Assets to Finance Public Sector Infrastructure Projects
Federal, state, and local public agencies are making historic investments in infrastructure, jobs, and climate action. Local projects focused on waste diversion, recycling, and circular economy fit squarely into these strategies. Public sector investment in almost any type of infrastructure project has an historically high rate of return and leads to higher standards of living for all - “green investments” included. With growing public funding available for investment in circular economy infrastructure, local governments are well-positioned to spearhead projects that bring important benefits to their communities. The key to a successful large public project is its deep roster of partners to plan and execute. This panel will explore public sector funding opportunities in Michigan and will highlight successful partnerships that can serve as models for others to follow.
2:30 PM EGLE Director Liesl Clark Remarks
Liesl Eichler Clark has served as the
director of the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) since January 2019. She oversees a $500 million budget that supports a 1,300-person team dedicated to protecting Michigan's environment and public health.
2:45 PM
NextCycle AWARD CEREMONY
You’ve heard the pitches and now it’s time to announce the winners! Each of the four pitch sessions will have a winner determined by a panel of expert judges and a people’s choice award voted on by the public. Join this session to cheer on these brave and amazing teams and acknowledge their hard work.
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS
GRAND SPONSOR _____________
GOLD SPONSORS_____________________________________
SILVER SPONSOR_______
Get an insider look at NextCycle Michigan and the wide range of developing projects as we showcase the work of 25 NextCycle Teams centered around recycling supply chain (RSC), new road technologies (ROADS), and community-based initiatives (I2P3).
This NextCycle Showcase is the culmination of 2022's Recycling Supply Chain (RSC), Roads & Pathways (ROADS), and Intergovernmental Initiatives & Public-Private Partnerships (I2P3) tracks. Each team will make the "pitch" to amplify the reach and impact of their projects, demonstrate the potential of their business models and big ideas, and potentially win an award prize. NextCycle teams will present their 7-10 minute "pitch" in one of the categories below:
Community Based Solutions
Community projects to increase access to recycling and material management programs to meet local needs.
Beyond Recycling
Projects that go beyond traditional recycling, providing a spark for a more diverse and robust circular economy in Michigan.
Shovel-Ready
Projects ready to break new ground and execute public and private partnerships. These solutions are primed for funding and implementation.
Turning the Wheel of Innovation
Community projects to increase access to recycling and material management programs to meet local needs.