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2023 Annual Meeting and Event


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There’s no better time to visit Western North Carolina than in the fall when leaves are exploding with color. The weather is still warm yet offers an evening crispness long forgotten from the hot, humid summer months. This year, the SERDC Symposium and Annual Membership Meeting will take place in Asheville, NC, just steps from the famed Biltmore Estate, minutes from an eclectic downtown and right beside the Blue Ridge Parkway.

This year's Symposium aims to foster collaboration, innovation, and knowledge exchange within the recycling community. It serves as a platform for professionals to stay updated on industry trends, build partnerships, and contribute to the sustainable development of recycling practices. In addition, our 2023 Champions of the Southeast award winners will be announced and the SERDC membership will be able to get an update on this year’s work as well as vote in the 2024 Board of Directors.

DoubleTree by Hilton in Asheville, NC

115 Hendersonville Rd, Asheville, NC 28803

Free Parking 

Agenda (updated 10/10)

Tuesday, October 17

Off-site evening gathering 5-7 ish pm:

Hi-Wire Brewing Big Top Location
2A Huntsman Pl
Asheville, NC 28803 United States

Join us just a few blocks from the hotel for a casual social gathering.  Not only will you get to say hi to old and new friends, it's $3 Flagship pint night!

Wednesday, October 18 

8:30 am: Registration opens

(Learn more about tours- separate registration)

9:00 am- 1 pm: Sierra Nevada Brewing Mills River Facility Sustainability Tour $40
Meet in Registration Area at 9 am.

1:00 pm- 4:00 pm: Sonoco Recycling MRF/Wicked Weed Brewing Tour $25
Meet in Registration Area at 12:45 pm.

4:00 pm – 7:00 PM Exhibitor Welcoming Reception (DoubleTree Gallery/Mezzanine)

Join us in the hotel for food and drinks as we officially start the 2023 Symposium while getting to meet our exhibitors for this year's event. 

Sponsored by:

Thursday, October

8:00 AM                    Registration opens

8:30-   9:00 AM  Welcome/Keynote- Restoring Confidence in Recycling  (Elizabeth Biser, NCDEQ Secretary,)

Secretary Biser has launched the North Carolina Circular Economy Council to provide guidance on how North Carolina can create a more resilient materials management system, strengthen the economy and protect the environment.


​9:00- 9:55 AM  Session 1-Panel on Demand​ (CPRC Welcome and Moderation by Anna DeLage, SC Dept. of Commerce)

KW Plastics- Stephanie Baker, Unifi- Edmir Silva, Pratt Recycling- Kurt Schmitz, Keurig/Dr. Pepper- Charlie Schwarze

Recent media stories have painted recycling as ineffective and failing to become consumer products. Our panels from the manufacturing section will share where their materials go on their way to use in manufacturing and their outlook for the ability to accept more material, if it’s recovered.

9:55- 10:25 AM  Break/Exhibitor time

​10:25- 11:45 AM  Session 2- Restoring Faith in Recycling Working Session (Marissa Segundo, Transformations PR)

Come ready to engage in a collaborative working session to identify top needs to restore faith in recycling in the Southeast. Public perception is not the same as the industry reality so how can SERDC bridge that gap for its members and drive a much-needed impact? Join Marissa Segundo, award-winning communications strategist, and nearly 20-year industry veteran, as we break down barriers and harness the economic benefits of recycling and recovery, together.

​11:45 AM- 12:55 PM  Champions of the SE Awards Luncheon (view finalists)

Sponsored by:

​12:55- 1:15 PM SERDC Annual Members Business Meeting

1:15- 2:00 PM Session 3- Legislative panel- Material Management

Chuck McGrady former NC Legislator (now retired)
Dexter Matthews, Vice President, Government Relations and Environmental Affairs of Liberty Tire Recycling and former Director of the Division of Waste Management, NC Department of Environment and Natural Resources

What legislative efforts could be supported to strengthen recycling? Two seasoned veterans of state policy will share ideas for policy that could be considered at the state level.


2:00- 2:45 PM Session 4- Engaging Legislators

Alex Miller, Alex Miller Government Affairs and NC Senator Julie Mayfield will share techniques for effectively communicating with elected officials.


2:45- 3:15 PM Break/Exhibit Area

3:15- 3:45 PM Session 5- How EPR stands to impact recycling

AMERIPEN Executive Director Dan Felton will give an update on packaging extended producer responsibility (EPR) developments in the U.S. as four states are now implementing full laws, another two are implementing groundwork laws and many other states and the federal government are continuing to consider legislative proposals. It's a new era for public policy for packaging recovery and recycling in the U.S., including in the Southeast!

3:45- 4:00 PM Conclusion and Final Dialog

Friday, October 20

8:30-12:00 pm Biltmore Estate Sustainability Tour and all day gardens and grounds, starts at $150

Go on a behind-the-scenes tour of one of most famous properties in the Southeast to learn about how the Estate handles all kinds of waste throughout their property.  More information.

For the tour, please get your tickets at the SERDC Symposium Registration desk and plan to park in the Antler Hill Village parking lots (ample parking).  The Biltmore shuttle will pick you up at the Creamery shuttle stop. This will be a private shuttle for our group only.  NOTE: From the Biltmore Estate entrance, it's approximately a 5-7 minute drive to Antler Hill Village parking.  Tour BEGINS at 9 am.




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