017 // Trash talk: What’s going to happen with our waste?

Kathryn Exon Smith -

You might not think of San Jose when you say recycling, but you should. Our August speaker will discuss what really happens to the things we throw away, and will give a short history of garbage and recycling in the Bay Area and how this beginning shaped garbage and recycling programs around the world.

Some of us are avid recyclers, but are these programs an effective way to divert waste from landfills? What happens when other countries will no longer take away our recycling?  Michael is a passionate and fun expert in the field of sustainability, who will explore where our garbage and recycling go now, and what recycling actually means. We will also discuss larger-scale systemic changes that are in the works that will affect the economics and viability of waste diversion. It's time to talk trash!

Michael is a leader in conservation and sustainability, with a focus on greenhouse-gas emissions reductions, recyclables marketing, C&D diversion opportunities, and advocating transformation of the waste industry. He is the Director of Sustainability for the Zanker family of companies, where he has worked since 1989.

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Recycling And The Mob

This salon took place August 9, 2019.