NYSACC and MSWAB Host First Zero Waste Conference in NYC

The New York State Association of Conservation Commissions (NYSACC) and the Manhattan Solid Waste Advisory Board (MSWAB) are set to host the first-ever New York State conference dedicated to linking conservation and zero waste goals. The event, scheduled for October 29 and 30, 2026, at Cornell Tech on Roosevelt Island, aims to bring together municipal leaders, public agencies, and innovative environmental professionals to discuss practical solutions for achieving zero-waste goals.

On October 29, attendees will have the opportunity to explore a day of field trips to high-profile NYC conservation and sustainability projects. The main conference, held on October 30, will feature key speakers including Gregory Anderson, Commissioner of the New York City Department of Sanitation, and Ron Gonen, Founder & CEO of Closed Loop Partners. Other notable speakers include Tom Outerbridge, President of East MRF Operations at Circular Services, and Kathryn Walker, Executive Director of the Center for Sustainable Materials Management at SUNY ESF.

Attendees can expect discussions on AI-enabled sorting and robotics, municipal recycling infrastructure and emerging technologies, materials management and conservation, textile-to-textile recycling, organics and composting systems, environmental monitoring and data, waste auditing and resource recovery, and hands-on technology demonstrations and innovation showcases at an Innovation Pavilion.

Matthew Civello, Chair of the Manhattan Solid Waste Advisory Board, emphasized the importance of turning environmental goals into measurable results.

The conference agenda is packed with sessions that will explore the latest advancements in zero-waste technologies and strategies. Participants will have the opportunity to engage with leaders from various sectors, including Stony Brook University, AMP, WeRadiate, RecycleGO, and Helpsy, among others.

This event is expected to attract a diverse group of attendees, including municipal leaders, public agencies, innovative environmental professionals, researchers, technology companies, operators, academia, investors, and nonprofit organizations. The conference aims to foster collaboration and innovation, driving the implementation of zero-waste solutions in New York State and beyond.