Thanks so much to our speakers and attendees for a successful and inspiring Convergence!
The 2018 Zero Waste Youth Convergence is the 6th annual convergence hosted by Zero Waste Youth USA.
We would like to invite you and the students and young professionals in your networks to attend the 2018 Zero Waste Youth Convergence for two-day event empowering the next generation to create a zero waste future!
This year's theme is Resilient Communities Fight Back: Equity in Zero Waste. The goal of this event is to bring professionals, activists, and young people together so that we can work collaboratively towards protecting and raising the voices of communities that have been damaged by the unjust dumping of toxic and hazardous waste while creating a space for an open discussion about equitable pathways to zero waste.
Sunday, March 18th, the main event, is the conference-style convergence that repeat attendees may be familiar with.
We would like to invite you and the students and young professionals in your networks to attend the 2018 Zero Waste Youth Convergence for two-day event empowering the next generation to create a zero waste future!
This year's theme is Resilient Communities Fight Back: Equity in Zero Waste. The goal of this event is to bring professionals, activists, and young people together so that we can work collaboratively towards protecting and raising the voices of communities that have been damaged by the unjust dumping of toxic and hazardous waste while creating a space for an open discussion about equitable pathways to zero waste.
Sunday, March 18th, the main event, is the conference-style convergence that repeat attendees may be familiar with.
Day 1: Saturday, March 17th (optional)
DAY 1:
WHEN: Saturday, March 17, 2018 10:00am-2:00pm
WHERE: Candlestick Point Park, Jackrabbit Beach Picnic Area
WHAT: “Local Connections”
Network, brainstorm, and workshop ideas for a more sustainable zero waste future with your peers outdoors in the community, lunch provided, then take action with a hands-on community litter clean-up.
When registering, please indicate that you will be attending Day 1 if you would like to participate and secure your lunch!
WHEN: Saturday, March 17, 2018 10:00am-2:00pm
WHERE: Candlestick Point Park, Jackrabbit Beach Picnic Area
WHAT: “Local Connections”
Network, brainstorm, and workshop ideas for a more sustainable zero waste future with your peers outdoors in the community, lunch provided, then take action with a hands-on community litter clean-up.
When registering, please indicate that you will be attending Day 1 if you would like to participate and secure your lunch!
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Getting to Jackrabbit Beach
For those driving: Follow GPS to candlestick park but turn RIGHT on Jamestown Ave (not left!) and follow the road until you see the park entrance booth on the right. Enter the park and immediately look for parking, Jackrabbit Beach is the first walkway entrance you'll see- go to the right and we'll be at the picnic area next to the bathrooms. For those taking public transit: We will be organizing pick ups from Balboa BART station from 9:45-10:15am. |
Day 2: Sunday, March 18th (main event)
DAY 2:
WHEN: Sunday, March 18, 2018 9:00am - 4:30pm
WHERE: City College of San Francisco, Ocean Campus, Multi-use building (50 Phelan Ave, San Francisco)
WHAT: "Resilient Communities Fight Back: Equity in Zero Waste"
An all day conference style event with breakout sessions, food, and raffles. Hear from inspiring young professionals and community leaders on critical zero waste issues and solutions. Session topics include:
WHEN: Sunday, March 18, 2018 9:00am - 4:30pm
WHERE: City College of San Francisco, Ocean Campus, Multi-use building (50 Phelan Ave, San Francisco)
WHAT: "Resilient Communities Fight Back: Equity in Zero Waste"
An all day conference style event with breakout sessions, food, and raffles. Hear from inspiring young professionals and community leaders on critical zero waste issues and solutions. Session topics include:
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Getting to the Multi-use Building at City College of San Francisco- 50 Phelan Ave, San Francisco
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*Breakfast, lunch, and snacks are provided on Sunday!*
Please BYOE (Bring Your Own Essentials): Reusable cup, plate/bowl, utensils, and handkerchief
Our goal is to have a true Zero Waste event!
Please BYOE (Bring Your Own Essentials): Reusable cup, plate/bowl, utensils, and handkerchief
Our goal is to have a true Zero Waste event!
6th Annual ZWYC 2018 Program Schedule and Sessions
Day 2 Breakout Sessions:
Morning Breakout Session 1: The Fate of Recycling- A Panel Discussion
What really happens to all of that material that we toss in our blue bins? From recycling bin, to transfer facility, to being shipped off for processing, this session will explore the path that our recyclables take and the types materials it consists of. This session will also include a discussion on the new China policy that might drastically change the way we recycle. Until recently the majority of our recycling was shipped to china for processing, but in 2018 China implemented a new policy that bans the import of 24 different types of material and creates strict standards for the allowable amounts of contamination.
Speakers:
Speakers:
Joe La Mariana, Executive Director of Rethink Waste: Prior to joining Rethink Waste, Joe served in local government for ten years and currently serves as the President of the Solid Waste Association of Northern America’s (SWANA) Northern California Gold Rush Chapter, and is active in the California Resource & Recovery Association (CRRA), the Northern California Recycling Association (NCRA) and numerous other organizations.
Professor Kate O’Neill, Associate Professor at UC Berkeley: Professor O'Neill is a professor in the Department of Environmental Science, Policy and Management at UC Berkeley. Professor O’Neill has authored two books, one of them examines the comparative politics of the legal hazardous waste trade, asking why some countries take on more such risk than others, focusing on state-society relations and how they are shaped by regulatory institutions.
Jennifer Power, Waste Zero Specialist at Recology San Francisco: Jennifer is a bilingual Waste Zero Specialist in San Francisco. She is also fluent in American Sign Language. Jennifer Power consults businesses and apartment buildings to maximize their recycling and composting efforts.
Al Yeh, Sorter at South Bay Recycling: While obtaining his bachelor's degree at San Jose State University, Al minored in Environmental Studies to learn and incorporate important changes needed to achieve a more sustainable lifestyle. In September, 2015, he started his employment with South Bay Recycling in San Carlos as a sorter and achieved proficiency at all 30+ recycling stations throughout San Mateo County's recycling factory.
Morning Breakout Session 2: Grow it, Eat it, but Don't Waste it
Food is a large part of our lives, and it’s also a large part of what’s sent to landfills in California. This session will explore the food system from the time it’s grown on the farm to the time that it’s either eaten or wasted. Ellie Cohen, CEO of Point Blue Conservation Science will discuss climate-smart agriculture and Marie Mourad, PhD student at UC Berkeley will discuss her research on food waste in the US and France.
Speakers:
Speakers:
Ellie Cohen, CEO of Point Blue Conservation Science: Ellie Cohen is a leader in catalyzing collaborative, nature-based solutions to climate change, habitat loss and other environmental challenges. She and Point Blue’s 160 scientists work with natural resource managers, ranchers, farmers, local governments and others to reduce the impacts of environmental change and develop clim
Marie Mourad, PhD student at UC Berkeley: Marie is a PhD student in Sociology at Sciences Po, Paris, finishing up her dissertation on “The Fight against Food Waste in the United States and France." She has also worked as an independent consultant on food waste studies and Zero Waste projects within U.S. and French non-profit and governmental organizations.
DIY Session 1: Mending the Fashion to Landfill Crisis
Alexandra Nicole Solis-Sison is the creator of the Zero Waste Trading and Mending Cart, which serves as a community textile recycling and mending solution to keep garments from entering landfills. The Zero Waste Cart offers mending workshops to those who want to learn how to patch up garments that are normally turned away by tailors and seamstresses such as mending zippers, buttons, rips, etc. The cart also functions as a textile recycling center, a place for people to donate or take garments that would have otherwise ended up in the landfills due to the lack of space in donation centers.
Afternoon Breakout Session 1: Zero Waste Programs in Action
From the university level, to the business level, to the city government level, hear how zero waste programs and initiatives are being implemented. Shradha and Lizzy will discuss UC Berkeley’s zero waste programs and initiatives, Sarah Fuentes will share what her company CIWA, Inc. has done to be more zero waste, and Mark Gagliardi will talk about the implementation of Oakland’s Zero Waste Sustainability Initiative. Get inspired by some of the innovative programs that are already in practice and learn about some of the future goals that each of the programs discussed hope to achieve.
Speakers:
Speakers:
Shradha Menghrajani & Lizzy Goldstein, UC Berkeley Students & Cal Zero Waste Student Staff Associates: Shradha is a sophomore undergraduate student studying Business Administration and Statistics with an emphasis on corporate social responsibility and inclusive environmentalism. Lizzy Goldstein is an undergraduate senior at UC Berkeley who will be graduating in May with a Bachelors in Sustainable Environmental Design and a Minor in Geo-spatial Information Science and Technology with the intention of going into environmental law with her main interests including waste management regulation, sustainable property and climate law.
Sara Fuentes, Sustainability Program Manager at CIWA, INC.: Sara has been working in the waste and recycling industry for the past 7 years as CIWA'S Sustainability program Manager. She has implemented ZERO WASTE programs for High Tech Companies such as SAP, Synaptic and other School Districts such as Albany Unified and Pittsburg Unified here in the bay area.
Mark Gagliardi, Senior Recycling Program Specialist at the City of Oakland: Mark has over 25 years of experience in sustainability and waste reduction and with the youth development, job-training for Civicorps in Oakland. Mark’s primary project work is developing and implementing Oakland's Zero Waste Sustainability Initiative. He was staff lead in establishing Oakland’s Zero Waste Goal, lead author of Oakland’s 2006 Zero Waste Strategic Plan, and Zero Waste staff lead for Oakland’s Energy & Climate Action Plan and greenhouse gas inventory.
DIY Session 2: Shop, Cook, Eat Smart- The Zero Waste Way
Danielle Epifani, Ocean Advocate, Professional Educator, and Zero Waste Activist
Zero waste food doesn't have to be expensive. Learn to shop, cook, and eat on a budget. Find out what you can buy package free, year round, at most any market. Storing food is important but what happens when your vegetables go limp, your fruit gets bruised, and your bread goes stale? Compost should be a last resort. We'll show you how to make the most of what you have, with every peel, seed, and crumb. Come taste a variety of foods you can make with minimal experience and basic equipment. Get ready for Meatless Monday – These recipes are Vegan!
Zero waste food doesn't have to be expensive. Learn to shop, cook, and eat on a budget. Find out what you can buy package free, year round, at most any market. Storing food is important but what happens when your vegetables go limp, your fruit gets bruised, and your bread goes stale? Compost should be a last resort. We'll show you how to make the most of what you have, with every peel, seed, and crumb. Come taste a variety of foods you can make with minimal experience and basic equipment. Get ready for Meatless Monday – These recipes are Vegan!
Afternoon Breakout Session 2: Repair, Don't Replace
Hear from two repair advocates about why you should consider repairing your things instead of replacing them. We’re constantly being told by advertisements that somehow our lives will be made better by replacing our belongings in exchange for the newest model, but that mentality is leading to massive amounts of waste. In this session you’ll learn the importance of fixing broken electronics from Peter Mui of Fixit Clinic, and of the benefits of reupholstering furniture from Jamie Facciola of Kay Chesterfield.
Speakers:
Speakers:
Jamie Facciola, Director of Impact at Kay Chesterfield: Jamie has over 10 years of experience in the environmental field and has worked with companies large and small on climate change and corporate sustainability issues. She is a repair advocate, award-winning social entrepreneur, and as Director of Impact at Kay Chesterfield, Inc., is working to scale a 96-year-old reupholstery business as a force for good.
Peter Mui, Founder of Fixit Clinic: Peter is the founder of Fixit Clinic (www.fixitclinic.org) which hosts community repair events throughout California and around the U.S. Nearly 300 Fixit Clinics have been held to date, hosted by municipal and county governments, recycling and environmental organizations, school systems, colleges and universities, and public libraries. “Education, entertainment, empowerment, elucidation, and, ultimately, enlightenment through do-it-together troubleshooting and repair.
Afternoon Session 3: Zero Waste Youth Alumni Career Panel
Four of Zero Waste Youth USA’s own will share what brought them to the careers they’re in today and how being part of Zero Waste Youth has helped them along the way. You’ll get the chance to hear about how Jessica, Emmi, Freddy, and Terry have successfully landed jobs related to zero waste.
Speakers:
Speakers:
Jessica Nusse, Solid Waste Specialist at Castro Valley Sanitation District: Jessica started working in the Zero Waste industry in 2010. Her work experience includes giving tours of transfer stations, digging through garbage at large businesses to see how they can better reduce, reuse, recycle and compost, teaching environmental literacy to formerly homeless adults, and expanding recycling and compost programs at apartments. Jessica is now a Solid Waste Specialist at Castro Valley Sanitary District (CVSan).She was on the ZWYC planning committee for five years (2012-2017) and co-chaired for two years, and a NCRA Board member for five years (2012-2017).
Freddy Coronado, Residential Zero Waste Associate at the San Francisco Department of the Environment: Freddy graduated from San Francisco State University in 2014 . During his final semester he interned with the San Francisco Department of the Environment (SFE), and after graduating he began working with Recology's Artist in Residence Program and became an active Zero Waste Youth USA committee member. For three years he simultaneously work three part-time jobs with Recology, Cascadia Consulting, and Gigantic Idea Studio. Freddy currently works with the Residential Zero Waste Team at SFE ensuring ALL residents in San Francisco have equal access to city's three bin and zero waste systems. "With passion and determination anything is possible.
Emmi (Emmi) Nava, Independent Consultant: Emmi has held jobs in both the public and private sector, working for a university recycling program, a waste hauler, local government, and an environmental consulting group. Most recently, Emmanuel is venturing into independent.
Terry Singleton, Recycling Coordinator at Republic Services West Contra Costa County: Originally from San Diego,CA. Terry is now a Recycling Coordinator for Republic Services in West Contra Costa County. He started working in the industry as a freshman at UC Davis back in 2006. Terry was recruited at the local dining commons by the schools recycling program leader. He’s worked to provide Zero Waste at events at large Division 1 football games and small 10 person parties. In addition to Republic he’s also worked for Waste Management & Recology. Terry has been a member of zero waste youth since he attended the first convergence in 2013.
