2026 Program
Conference Agenda
Two days of plenaries, concurrent breakouts, and field experiences exploring the future of materials management, circular economy, and recycling in Illinois.
2026 Title Sponsor
2026 Title Sponsor
Two days of plenaries, concurrent breakouts, and field experiences exploring the future of materials management, circular economy, and recycling in Illinois.
Wednesday
Opening day featuring federal and state EPA leadership, statewide needs assessment findings, and four concurrent breakout slots spanning textiles, batteries, paper, packaging, organics, and policy.
Anne M. Vogel is the Regional Administrator for U.S. EPA Region 5, overseeing environmental protection for Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Wisconsin, and 37 Tribal nations. Appointed in 2025, she also leads the Great Lakes National Program Office.
Vogel previously served as Director of the Ohio EPA and Policy Director for Governor Mike DeWine, where she was a primary architect of the H2Ohio water quality initiative. Her background includes over a decade in leadership at American Electric Power and a career in law. She holds a J.D. from Capital University, an MBA from The Ohio State University, and a B.A. from Bob Jones University.
James Jennings is the Director of the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA), leading an agency of 800 professionals dedicated to protecting Illinois' air, land, and water. Appointed by Governor JB Pritzker in 2024, he oversees major initiatives in infrastructure investment, climate and energy programs, and operational modernization across the state.
Jennings has served the Illinois EPA for over a decade in various leadership capacities, including Deputy Director, Materials Management and Compliance Section Manager, and Assistant Legal Counsel. He currently represents Illinois on several national bodies, such as the Environmental Council of States and the Great Lakes Commission. He holds a Juris Doctor from the University of Kentucky and an undergraduate degree from the University of Cincinnati.
Findings from the statewide recycling needs assessment — packaging and paper analysis, waste characterization, and the data shaping Illinois' next decade of recycling education and infrastructure.
Susannah manages business operations for Green Era, focusing on urban farming and anaerobic digestion models in Chicago.
Tommy leads growth efforts for WasteNot, focusing on high-impact organics collection in municipal sectors.
Zach Samaras serves as the Zero Waste Program Manager within ISTC's Center for Economic Impacts & Societal Benefits.
Zach specializes in guiding municipalities and organizations toward sustainable materials management and increased waste diversion. He leads comprehensive waste audits and characterization studies, facilitates stakeholder education, and provides specialized technical assistance for managing hard-to-divert materials.
Justin oversees global market strategy for recycled textiles at Chicago Textile Recycling.
Merleanne coordinates textile diversion programs and community outreach for SWALCO.
Carter O'Brien leads sustainability initiatives for the City of Chicago, focusing on digital tools and community engagement to improve residential recycling rates and waste diversion.
Juliet Mathey is a Recycling Education & Outreach Specialist focused on sustainability education, recycling outreach, and community engagement. She develops programs that help communities improve recycling practices and advance circular economy initiatives.
Marta has dedicated more than 30 years to advancing recycling, waste reduction, and sustainability programs across Illinois. Her work with local governments, including Naperville and Will County, has focused on expanding recycling access, household hazardous waste services, paint stewardship, and environmental education. As Chair of the Illinois Product Stewardship Council, she helped advance Illinois' Statewide Paint Stewardship Law. Marta has also championed water conservation, energy efficiency, and sustainable community initiatives. She was honored with the Steve Apotheker Lifetime Achievement Award in 2025 and the Paul Butler Award in 2026. Most recently, she has worked with The Battery Network to expand battery recycling opportunities throughout Illinois.
Stephanie Weeks is the Senior Product Portfolio Manager at The Battery Network, where she supports battery stewardship, recycling, and sustainable materials management initiatives. She focuses on product development, product fulfillment, and a partnership with PHMSA on Special Permits which enable easy and safe collections and transportation of batteries for recycling. This supports safe handling practices and responsible end-of-life solutions that strengthen the circular economy.
As CEO of EcoShip NFP, Aleksandra leads efforts to reduce shipping waste by providing a circular network for packaging materials across Chicago.
Cassie is a sustainability leader dedicated to helping food businesses transition to PFAS-free and compostable alternatives through the Illinois Green Business Program.
George manages waste diversion and recycling market fluctuations at Midwest Paper Retriever, specializing in paper supply chain logistics.
Carolee oversees operations at Bubbly Dynamics and The Plant, a collaborative community of food businesses practicing closed-loop resource management in Chicago.
Dr. Hanson explores the intersection of sustainability and student innovation, leading initiatives that prepare the next generation for the circular economy.
Roxane Peggs is a battery stewardship and recycling policy professional with The Battery Network. She works with industry and government partners to advance sustainable battery management, Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) initiatives, and battery recycling programs across North America.
Christina chairs SWANA Illinois' electronics task force and the Product Stewardship Council, and serves on the advisory committee task force for the statewide needs assessment — bringing the electronics and product stewardship perspective to the panel.
A national or state policy voice to be confirmed — covering how battery and electronics producer responsibility is developing across the country, or how existing Illinois policy is being implemented.
Thursday
Closing day featuring specialty diversion case studies, large-scale organics, and the SWANA Young Professionals plenary — wrapping at noon, with an optional afternoon field trip to three Chicagoland circular economy sites.
Nathan leads Salt & Light in Urbana, developing innovative retail-based circularity models that bridge social services with sustainable waste management.
Betsy provides technical assistance for sustainability projects at the ISTC, specializing in diversion metrics and specialty recycling streams.
Mary drives sustainability and growth at the Chicago Furniture Bank, diverting tons of furniture from landfills to provide for neighbors in need.
Voices from the next generation of solid waste and circular economy practitioners in Illinois — pathways into the field, current projects, barriers encountered, and priorities shaping the work ahead. Co-organized by the SWANA Illinois Young Professionals network.
A guided afternoon tour of three Chicagoland circular economy sites — hard-to-recycle materials, organics-to-energy, and electronics refurbishment — showing how the topics covered in the program operate at street level.
The Center for Hard to Recycle Materials at South Suburban College — a permanent drop-off facility for Cook County residents diverting millions of pounds of difficult-to-recycle materials from landfills and waterways. Programs include a recycling warehouse, composting, and mobile event services.
A first-of-its-kind community-owned circular economy campus on Chicago's South Side that converts food waste into renewable energy, compost, and good local jobs.
An electronics recycler and Battery Network program participant — see how donated electronics are refurbished and redistributed to low-income households and nonprofits, closing the loop on e-waste while bridging the digital divide.
Register today to secure your spot at the 2026 Illinois Circularity Conference, or explore sponsorship opportunities to align your organization with Illinois' circular economy leadership.