Once again, MRN and the SWANA Mid-Atlantic Chapter Committee delivered an outstanding conference, bringing together recycling and solid waste professionals from across Maryland. This year’s theme,
The Road Ahead—Charting Your Course for the Next Generation in Recycling and Waste Management, highlighted how today’s decisions are shaping the future of the industry—and how professionals can help create the solutions of tomorrow.
From cutting-edge innovations to practical, real-world solutions, the conference offered something for everyone. Attendees had ample opportunities to connect with peers
(see who was there and check out the photos!), explore a dynamic
vendor showcase, and leave with valuable insights and fresh inspiration.
The day began with an opening session on the
State of the Mid-Atlantic Economy and Key Implications for Solid Waste and Recycling Programs. Presented by Daraius Irani, Ph.D., Vice President for Business and Public Engagement at Towson University, the session addressed heightened economic uncertainty and offered guidance on where professionals may find greater certainty while looking ahead.
Following the opening session, attendees participated in two morning breakout sessions.
Breakout One featured
Recycling Markets Update – Recent and Anticipated Trends, which examined the highs and lows of current markets. For those focused on solid waste,
Radioactive Waste Screening Operations provided a clearer understanding of where radioactive materials originate and the different types of radioactive waste facilities may encounter.
Breakout Two began after a short break and an opportunity to visit the exhibitors. Attendees could choose
Innovative Reuse Programs, a look at strategies for scaling reuse through Maryland’s EPR law and implementing operational reuse systems at venues, or
From Landfill to Landmark: Transforming a Pre-RCRA Site into a Community Asset, a look at the vision and steps involved in converting the 120-acre Gude Landfill in Montgomery County, Maryland into a recreational asset for the community.
After the lunch break, SWANA presented its student scholarship, followed by the
MRN Board of Directors elections. Michele Blair, Rebecca Culler, and Tony Drury were elected president, vice president, and secretary/treasurer, respectively.
See full election results.
The highlight of the lunch session was the presentation of the Maryland Recycling Network's
2026 Extraordinary Achievement Award to
Kitty McIlroy, a dedicated volunteer and longtime champion of recycling in Maryland. Throughout her professional career and as President of MRN for the past three years, Kitty has demonstrated the leadership, expertise, and dedication that make her a highly deserving recipient of this award.
Read more about Kitty achievements and dedication to her profession.
Following lunch, attendees heard a
Legislative/Regulatory Update: Implementations to Date and Expectations for the Future, which provided context on recent developments and what may be ahead for recycling and solid waste programs.
With that groundwork laid, the afternoon breakout sessions began.
Breakout One offered a lively
Recycling Professionals Problem-Solving Roundtable where attendees exchanged ideas, discussed common challenges, and learned from one another’s experiences.
In the other room, a panel from the Maryland Department of the Environment presented
MDEnviroScreen: Maryland’s Environmental Justice Tool and Its Applicability in Current and Future Projects highlighting how the statewide screening tool is designed to identify overburdened and underserved communities and help the State balance development with more equitable environmental outcomes.
Breakout Two featured
PaintCare in Action where attendees learned more about Maryland’s paint stewardship program. Others explored the question …
Dirty MRFs: The Future or Just a Distraction? The session examined how mixed waste processing is evolving as both a technology and policy option, drawing increased interest while continuing to raise important questions.
Attendees came together once more for the final general session,
Performance Enhancement through AI Data Analysis, which explored how AI is reshaping recycling—from powering next-generation outreach and education to enabling smarter approaches to capturing and recovering materials.
For those who still had energy, the day concluded with a networking reception that gave attendees one more opportunity to continue the conversation.
*You can view
PDFs of speaker slides here.
**Photos courtesy of Andrew Kays and Amy Lestition Burke.