September 10-12, 2025 

The Westin Huntsville
6800 Governors W, Huntsville, AL 35806

Registration Table Opens and Exhibitor Setup (1:30 pm)

Tentative Live Agenda

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Wednesday, September 10, 2025

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11:00 AM – Indorama Ventures Tour & Lunch (Athens, AL)

Join us for a guided tour of Indorama Ventures’ Athens facility, one of the leading PET recycling and production plants in the region. This visit will provide an inside look at the company’s recycling operations, sustainability initiatives, and advanced manufacturing processes. Lunch will be sponsored by Indorama Ventures.  Make sure to reserve your spot on the tour. 

 

12:30 PM – Registration & Exhibitor Setup Opens

Attendees may check in at the registration table and pick up conference materials. Exhibitors are invited to begin setting up their booths in the designated exhibit area during this time. Staff will be available to assist with setup needs and answer any questions.

 

2:30 PM – Opening Remarks & Welcome

Kick off the conference with a warm welcome and overview of the conference.

 

2:40 PM – Tips & Tricks for Grant Success
Gain practical insights from successful grant applicants across Alabama. Panelists will share their experiences securing funding from ADEM, industry, and national sources.

Kelly Balentine, City of Florence, Alabama, Education Outreach Coordinator

Shelby Tuck, City of Troy, Alabama, Environmental Services & Recycling Director

​Rebecca Harbin-Adams, City of Tuscaloosa, Administrative Coordinator

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3:15 PM – ADEM Grant Program: Future of Recycling Grant Funding
Representatives from the Alabama Department of Environmental Management will provide updates on the Recycling Grant Fund, including the new funding rubric, priority areas, and long-term goals for supporting recycling initiatives statewide.

Blake Pruitt, ADEM Materials Management Section, Chief

Lauren Grace Johnson, ADEM Materials Management Section 

Max  Stonicher,  ADEM Materials Management Section 

Lydia Williams, ADEM Materials Management Section

 

5:30 – 7:00 PM  Networking Reception in the U.S. Space & Rocket Center
Join us for a casual networking reception sponsored by Indorama Ventures at one of Alabama’s most iconic attractions. Enjoy light refreshments and connect with fellow attendees in a unique setting.

 

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Dinner – On Your Own

Explore the many dining options within Bridge street and walking distance to The Westin.

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Thursday, September 11, 2025

8:00 – 8:30 AM  Breakfast & Networking

Breakfast will be available in the meeting room. Join us early to enjoy a light meal and connect with fellow attendees before the day begins.

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8:30 am – Welcome 

Virginia Banister, ARC President, Alabama Beverage Association President 

City of Huntsville

 

9:00 AM – Going the Extra Mile

Baldwin County, Alabama’s largest county, developed its CHaRM Center (Center for Hard to Recycle Materials) and built partnerships across municipalities, schools, and businesses to expand recycling opportunities and tackle materials management.

Terri Graham, Baldwin County Solid Waste Authority

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9:20 AM – Alabama Recycles Panel: Boots on the Ground Successes and Challenges 

Get a ground-level view of recycling efforts across Alabama. From big cities to small towns, panelists will share what’s working, what’s not, and how communities are pushing forward.

Catrina Cook, City of Auburn 

Wanda Tyler, City of Decatur 

Shelby Tuck, City of Troy, Alabama

Dr. Shenghua Wu, Associate Professor, University of South Alabama

 

Refreshment Break with Exhibitors 

 

10:30 am – Recycling Is A Business

Recycling is a business, and Alabama industries need materials. This session will highlight the demand for recyclable feedstock, the economic impact of keeping materials in circulation, and the manufacturers across the state that depend on recycled content to power their operations.

Byron Geiger, Indorama Ventures Sustainable Solutions, Head of Operations

Andrew Chorney, Essity, Technical Services Manager

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11:00 am – Investing In Alabama

Companies are growing, expanding, and investing in Alabama. This session highlights how those investments are strengthening recycling infrastructure, improving collection systems, and creating economic opportunities while ensuring manufacturers have the materials they need.

Joaquin Mariel, Circular Services, Chief Commercial Office

Micheal Beedie, Waste Management, Senior Manager of Government Affairs

Bucky Fowler, Republic Services

 

Exhibitor Spotlight 

 

12:00 PM – Keynote Speaker & Lunch

Enjoy lunch while hearing from Mickey Haddock, retired SEC referee. With stories from the field, he’ll share inspirational lessons on leadership, teamwork, and making the right call under pressure.

 

1:30 pm – Connecting & Discussing 

Bring your solutions, problems, and ideas as we break into small groups to talk about recycling. Participants will share challenges they face, highlight successes in their communities, and exchange ideas to improve recycling programs. Each group will report back key takeaways for the larger discussion

 

2:30 PM – Tour of the Huntsville Solid Waste Disposal Authority

Tour of the Waste-to-Energy Plant and the Household Hazardous Waste Facility.

Address: 5250 Triana Blvd SW, Huntsville, AL 35805

 

Dinner – On Your Own

Explore the many dining options within Bridge street and walking distance to The Westin.

 

7:00 – 10:00 PM Networking Event at Topgolf

Unwind and connect with colleagues over drinks and hors d’oeuvres at Topgolf Huntsville. Whether you’re driving the conversation or driving the ball, it’s the perfect way to “swing” into new connections. Address: 6100 Topgolf Drive NW, Huntsville, AL 35806

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Friday, September 12, 2025

7:30 am -- Registration Table Opens

 

8:00 am – ARC Annual Membership Meeting 

 

8:30 am – National & Industry Perspectives

This session brings together leaders from the OSPRAY Initiative, the American Beverage Association, and Resource Recycling Systems to share national and industry insights. Hear how major companies and organizations are investing in recycling, strengthening collection, and applying best practices that can help Alabama grow its recycling system and meet rising demand for materials.

Refreshment Break with Exhibitors

Sara Nichols, Resource Recycling, Senior Consultant 

Lauren Williams, Osprey Initiative, LLC

Moriah Fordham, Phoenix Glass Recycling, Owner

Virginia Banister, Alabama Beverage Association 

 

10:30 am – Alabama Department of Environmental Management

Blake Pruitt, ADEM Materials Management Section, Chief

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11:00 am – Alabama Recycling Grant Fund Award Celebration 

Join us for an exciting presentation by the Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM) as they award over 2 million dollars in funding to support recycling infrastructure and programs across the state. Learn about impactful projects, engage with stakeholders, and celebrate efforts to advance recycling in Alabama.

Edward F. Poolos, ADEM Director 

Stephen Cobb, ADEM Land Division, Chief 

Jason Wilson, ADEM Solid Waste Branch, Chief

 

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