2008 WasteWise & NPEP Conference Agenda

5:00 – 7:00PM

Welcome Reception

8:00 – 9:00AM

Registration & Welcome Breakfast

U.S. EPA Administrator Stephen L. Johnson offered opening remarks for the Conference and set the stage for this exciting opportunity for networking, information sharing, and celebrating the achievements of the EPA partnership programs. Administrator Johnson outlined the successes of the WasteWise, NPEP, and Lifecycle Building Challenge programs over the last several years and identified some of the exemplary initiatives that would be recognized during the Conference award ceremonies. Administrator Johnson then presented awards to two organizations, the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Postal Service, for their commitment to the Lead-Free Wheel Weights Initiative.

Speaker

• Stephen L. Johnson, Administrator, U.S. EPA

After a brief introduction from John Cross of the U.S. EPA, Tom Easterday of Subaru of Indiana Automotive, Inc. gave a presentation on the success of Subaru's "lean, green automotive manufacturing" initiatives as a case study for other companies looking to achieve similar environmental goals. Mr. Easterday outlined Subaru's overall commitment to the environment, as demonstrated by their 99.8% recycling rate, waste reduction programs, alternative energy initiatives, and wildlife habitat. In particular, he focused on Subaru's commitment to employee involvement and support from partner and parent companies, which allow these initiatives to have impacts far beyond the Indiana plant.

Speakers

• John Cross, U.S. EPA
• Tom Easterday, Subaru of Indiana Automotive, Inc. (17 pp, 2.9MB)

Jennifer Brady of the U.S. EPA provided a brief overview of the link between waste management and greenhouse gas emissions, and how EPA tools such as the WAste Reduction Model (WARM) and the Climate Profile demonstrate this link. In addition, she outlined the different sections of the Climate Profile and how organizations can use this information as a communication tool. Tom Costantino then presented information on how Public Service Enterprise Group (PSEG) uses the Climate Profile as a common communication platform for both internal and external stakeholders to promote WasteWise and garner continued organizational support. In addition, Mariah Titlow provided visual examples of Genzyme Corporation's "Think. Recycle." campaign to show the audience how information from the Climate Profile can be creatively and innovatively applied to educate employees.

Speakers

• Jennifer Brady, U.S. EPA (11 pp, 754K)
• Tom Costantino, PSEG (6 pp, 461K)
• Mariah Titlow, Genzyme Corporation (18 pp, 1.1MB)

12:00 – 1:00PM

Networking Lunch

WasteWise General Session: Hall of Fame Panel Discussion

Janice Sims and Ron Vance of the U.S. EPA introduced the current WasteWise Hall of Fame members and provided an overview of the Hall of Fame mission statement, eligibility requirements, candidate evaluations, and continuance criteria. The current Hall of Fame members then offered brief comments on their organizations' programs, as well as their activities as part of the Hall of Fame. Conference participants were given the opportunity to ask questions related to program initiatives, WasteWise involvement, and the Hall of Fame status.

Speakers

• Janice Sims and Ron Vance, U.S. EPA (4 pp, 160K)

WasteWise Hall of Fame Members

• Edward Abrams, U.S. Postal Service - Alabama District
• Scotty Bell, Virco Manufacturing
• Tom Costantino, Public Service Enterprise Group (PSEG)
• Bruce Norton, Constellation Energy
• Don Offinger, Pitney Bowes
• Amanda St. John, South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control
• John Stier, Anheuser-Busch
• Kathleen Tobin, Verizon Communications
• Charlie Vidich, U.S. Postal Service – Northeast Area

3:00 – 4:45PM

WasteWise Awards Ceremony

4:45 – 5:15PM

Lifecycle Building Challenge 2 Awards Ceremony

6:00 – 8:00PM

Networking Reception

8:00 – 9:00AM

Registration & Networking Breakfast

Terry Grist, Janice Sims, and Ron Vance of the U.S. EPA introduced themselves to Conference attendees and provided an overview of several new WasteWise initiatives and activities, including the improved reporting system, program evaluation, technical assistance opportunities, WasteWise Communities, RecycleMania, and the States Campaign. U.S. EPA staff from Regions 2, 4, and 8 then provided information on regional activities and opportunities for collaboration and support.

Speakers

• Terry Grist, Janice Sims, Ron Vance, and Jan Canterbury, U.S. EPA (7 pp, 282K)
• Shane Nelson, U.S. EPA Region 2
• Rhonda Rollins, U.S. EPA Region 4
• Anne-Marie Patrie, U.S. EPA Region 8

Conference participants chose to discuss one of the following topics in small groups: regional engagement; state engagement; the climate/waste connection; industry sector benchmarking; and the role of WasteWise in larger sustainability initiatives. Each group was given the opportunity to present the information discussed during the roundtable to all participants during a report-out session.