Organic Waste Bans: An Analysis of Existing Policies, Challenges, and Opportunities
Organic Waste Bans: An Analysis of Existing Policies, Challenges, and Opportunities
The Harvard Food Law and Policy Clinic (Harvard FLPC) and the Center for EcoTechnology (CET) will present on a toolkit for states and cities interested in implementing organic waste bans or recycling laws. The toolkit discusses the design of bans and recycling laws, barriers and solutions, and methods for strengthening or supporting food waste diversion. Harvard FLPC developed this toolkit with support from CET in a yearlong process compiling information through interviews, a stakeholder convening, and data from states and cities with organics recycling policies.
The State of Vermont enacted a statewide universal recycling law in 2012 and the City of Austin, Texas, rolled out a local recycling ordinance in 2012. The Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation (VT DEC) and the City of Austin will share experiences with implementing these policies as well as resources developed to support compliance. Attendees will learn how to evaluate options for creating or strengthening policies to address food waste best suited to their particular state or local context.
Speakers
Coryanne Mansell
Strategic Services Representative, Center for EcoTechnology
Coryanne Mansell
Strategic Services Representative, Center for EcoTechnology
Coryanne Mansell leads the food waste efforts in Connecticut, Rhode Island and other northeast states for the Center for EcoTechnology (CET). Cory coordinated CET’s partnership with Harvard Food Law and Policy Clinic to develop legal fact sheets on food donation for New York State, as well as the Toolkit for states and cities interested in implementing organic waste bans or recycling laws. She helps reduce and recover food waste in the Northeast and beyond by providing technical assistance to businesses and institutions to help implement or expand waste diversion programs. Cory holds a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Policy and a Bachelor of Arts in Public Policy from Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey.
Katie Sandson
Clinical Fellow, Harvard Law School Food Law and Policy Clinic
Katie Sandson
Clinical Fellow, Harvard Law School Food Law and Policy Clinic
Katie Sandson is a clinical fellow in the Harvard Law School Food Law and Policy Clinic (FLPC), where she provides legal and policy guidance to community advocacy groups, state agencies, and nonprofits that work to improve the food system. Katie helps lead FLPC’s Food Waste initiative, which advocates for policy changes to decrease food waste. Katie received her J.D. from Harvard Law School in 2017.
Josh Kelly
Materials Management Section Chief, VT DEC Solid Waste Program
Josh Kelly
Materials Management Section Chief, VT DEC Solid Waste Program
Josh Kelly joined Vermont ANR in 2013 and works with a team to implement Vermont’s recycling, composting, product stewardship, and waste reduction initiatives. Previously, he’s worked for the Institute for Sustainable Communities, the Highfields Center for Composting, and the Trust for Public Land. Josh has a BS in Environmental Studies and Biology from St. Lawrence University.
Gena McKinley
Strategic Initiatives Division Manager for Austin Resource Recovery, City of Austin
Gena McKinley
Strategic Initiatives Division Manager for Austin Resource Recovery, City of Austin
As the Strategic Initiatives Division Manager for Austin Resource Recovery, Gena McKinley leads the implementation of the City of Austin’s Zero Waste Master Plan. The Division’s work focuses on recycling economic development, zero waste policy and program development, business outreach and public education, and marketing. Gena took an opportunity to lead the City of Austin’s zero waste program and policy development team. While with the program, the team established policies to ensure that businesses and construction projects keep valuable materials out of landfill. Her leadership, commitment and advocacy for zero waste earned national recognition as she was chosen to be included in Waste360’s 40 Under 40 list of rising stars in the industry. Gena has earned a Masters of Public Health from the University of Texas School of Public Health and Bachelor of Arts in biology and sociology from Southwestern University.
Charlotte Dreizen
Moderator and Project Manager, GreenBlue
Charlotte Dreizen
Moderator and Project Manager, GreenBlue
Charlotte Dreizen is a Project Manager at GreenBlue and leads the Composting Collaborative and compostable packaging work at the Sustainable Packaging Coalition. In the last 18 months, the Composting Collaborative has spearheaded research in pretreatment systems and composting access, as well as convened three in-person summits and kicked off a monthly webinar series. In addition, Charlotte co-developed the new Essentials of Sustainable Packaging course and has spoken at events like the New York City Food Waste Fair and the Green Sports Alliance Summit on organics recycling strategies. She holds a BA in International Affairs from the George Washington University with dual concentrations in International Development and International Environmental Studies. Charlotte is also a LEED Green Associate and has earned Living Future Accreditation through the International Living Future Institute.