Sponsors
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H-E-B
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NewGen Strategies & Solutions
STAR is excited to host the 26th Annual Texas Recycling Summit in the beautiful city of Georgetown, Texas, just north of Austin. Known for its historic charm, vibrant arts scene, and the “Most Beautiful Town Square in Texas,” Georgetown offers the perfect backdrop for this year’s event. The Summit will be held at the Sheraton Austin Georgetown Hotel & Conference Center, a premier venue nestled among scenic parks and the tranquil San Gabriel River, providing a welcoming and inspiring setting for collaboration and learning.
We’re proud to partner with the Texas Recycling Infrastructure Economic Development – Initiative Team (TRIED-IT) to explore cutting-edge industry updates, economic opportunities, and sustainable solutions shaping Texas’ recycling future.
For 26 years, Summit has been Texas’ premier recycling conference, offering:
♻️ Annual CEUs to support professional growth.
♻️ Exclusive networking opportunities with top industry professionals.
♻️ Insights into the latest trends, policies, and innovations in recycling and sustainability.
Featured Events:
🍴 State of Recycling in Texas Luncheon – Join top industry leaders for a deep dive into the state’s recycling landscape.
🤝 STAR’s Annual Meeting – Connect with members and leadership as we discuss the future of recycling in Texas.
🚌 Exclusive Tours – Get behind-the-scenes access to leading recycling and sustainability facilities.
✍️ Hands-On Workshops – Participate in interactive sessions designed to provide practical tools and strategies.
THANK YOU TO OUR BLUEBONNET SPONSORS
TRIED-IT is a cooperative effort to promote the development of recycling processing and manufacturing infrastructure in underserved rural and urban areas in Texas. It demonstrates how collaboration among the recycling industry, economic development professionals, and regional and local governments can facilitate the expansion of critically needed recycling infrastructure.
This informative and interactive event will feature expert speakers and panelists from various stakeholder groups, providing attendees with valuable opportunities to engage, strategize, and implement economically sustainable recycling systems that create local jobs.
TRIED-IT Initiative Team Partners:
• Texas Economic Development Council
• Texas Association of Regional Councils
• Capitol Area Council of Governments
• Keep Texas Beautiful / Keep Texas Recycling
• The Recycling Partnership
• State of Texas Alliance for Recycling
Distinguished Speakers & Panelists:
✅ Dave Yanke – President, NewGen; President, Municipal Solid Waste and Resource Recovery Council (TCEQ)
✅ Scott Pasternack – Burns & McDonnell Engineers; Author of the TCEQ Texas Recycling Market Development Plan
✅ Donald Tracy – Dean, Continuing Education, ACC; Chair, CAPCOG Area Economic Development District
✅ Brock Lively – Solid Waste Superintendent, City of Plainview
✅ Carlton Schwab – President/CEO, Texas Economic Development Council
✅ Kimberly Lyle-Dowty – Assistant Executive Director, Texas Association of Regional Councils
✅ And many others…
The TRIED-IT Summit will coincide with the 26th Annual STAR Summit, offering multiple opportunities to engage with expert speakers, panelists, and attendees from both summits.
Why Georgetown?
🌳Scenic & Historic Charm – Stroll through the town’s beautifully preserved historic square, filled with unique shops, restaurants, and cultural attractions.
🏨 Luxurious Accommodations – The Sheraton Austin Georgetown offers upscale amenities, a relaxing atmosphere, and easy access to miles of trails and stunning natural landscapes.
🍖 Local Flavor – Enjoy an array of farm-to-table dining, local wineries, and craft breweries that make Georgetown a hidden gem for food lovers.
Visit https://visit.georgetown.org/ for more exciting things to do, to buy, and to eat in beautiful Georgetown, TX!
Don’t miss your chance to be part of Texas’ leading recycling event — register today!
Accommodations
Book your room in the Texas Recycling Summit room block at the Sheraton Austin Georgetown to enjoy the best lodging and convenience in one! The room block is open now and covers rooms booked between May 7 – 9, 2025. No special code necessary to secure your special rate of only $110 per night! BLOCK PRICING ENDS APRIL 18, 2025! Simply visit www.marriott.com/event-reservations/reservation-link.mi?id=1737668154320&key=GRP&guestreslink2=true&app=resvlink to book your room today!
IMPORTANT: Room block & special pricing closes April 18th. Space is limited so don’t delay!
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How can I sponsor?
Please visit: https://app.betterunite.com/star-texasrecyclingsummit/eventitems
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How many hotel rooms can I book?
The maximum is 3 rooms per guest registration.
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Is there a government per diem rate?
The Sheraton Hotel has graciously extended the lowest rate possible of $110 per night for all summit attendees who book in the STAR room block by April 18th.
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Where do I find the STAR Member discount code?
Please email info@recyclingstar.org and we will reply with the code if you have yet to receive it or have misplaced it.
Hourly Schedule
Day 1 (Wed, May 7, 2025)
- 8:00AM - 5:00PM
- REGISTRATION
- T.R.I.E.D. I.T. & Recycling Summit Registration Open
- 8:30AM - 9:30AM
- TRIED IT - Opening Remarks
- Opening remarks (Ken May - CAPCOG, Rich Abramowitz – STAR, Steve Shannon - TCEQ
- 9:00AM - 4:15PM
- TRS - TDEM Emergency Debris Mgt Course
- 9:00AM - 4:15PM
- TRS - Environmental Law Training Course
- The Capital Area Regional Environmental Task Force (RETF) is proud to offer this training opportunity. Certified instructors from various Texas agencies will provide insight and information about the growing problem of illegal dumping and other environmental crimes. Subject areas include public nuisance, solid waste violations, illegal dumping, illegal outdoor burning, and water pollution.
- 9:30AM - 10:30AM
- TRIED IT - Data Deep-Dive
- An examination of Recycling Market Development Plan & CAPCOG Data, Recyling Growth Potential, Job Creation, and Infrastructure Deficit
- 10:30AM - 11:30AM
- TRIED IT - TARC Panel
- Jenny Lewis Ford/Kemberly Dowty - TARC, Ken May - Capcog, 1 more - Benefits of regionalization, examples, interlocal agreements
- 11:30AM - 12:15PM
- TRIED IT - Economic Development Panel
- Carlton Schwab - TX Eco Dev Council, Waco area Eco Dev, Don Tracy Capcog - Economic Development Corporation Function, Capabilities, Examples of support and Regional and Public/Private Partnerships
- 12:15PM - 1:00PM
- TRIED IT Lunch
- Ballroom Lunch for TRIED IT participants
- 1:00PM - 2:00PM
- TRIED IT - TX Recycling Panel
- KTB, KTR, Brock Lively, City of Plainview (Examples of Rural Recycling Infrastructure, Impacts/Inter-local Cooperation
- 2:00PM - 3:15PM
- TRIED IT - Recycling Operators Panel
- Balcones, Green Guy, Hill Country Recycling, WM, TDS, FCC
- 3:15PM - 4:00PM
- TRIED IT - Consumer Manufacturers Panel
- Plastics, Paper, Glass, Organics, E-waste
- 5:00PM - 6:30PM
- INVITATION ONLY - VIP Networking Reception
Day 2 (Thurs, May 8, 2025)
- 9:00AM - 9:45AM
- TRIED IT - Financial Analysis of Regional Recycling Infrastructure
- Dave Yanke - NewGen Consulting
- 9:00AM - 9:45AM
- TRS - Hard to Recycle Panel: Chemicals, Batteries & Tires
- UER, Liberty Tire, & City of Frisco
- 9:00AM - 9:45AM
- TRS - Capture through Engagement
- The Recycling Partnership
- 9:50AM - 10:35AM
- TRS - Hard to Recycle Panel: Mattresses and Textiles
- Green Guy Recycling, JOSCO Products, & Green City Recycler
- 9:50AM - 10:35AM
- TRS - Economics and Environmental Benefits of Glass Recycling Panel
- NAIMA, Glass Recycling Coalition, & Knauf
- 10:00AM - 11:30AM
- TRIED IT - Roundtable Discussion: Where do we go from here?
- 12:00PM - 1:30PM
- State of Texas Recycling Presentation
- STAR Chairman & Acting Executive Director Adrian Hernandez will deliver the first ever "State of Recycling" address to examine the current state of Texas' infrastructure, diversion, programs, challenges, and opportunities with regard to the advancement of the circular economy.
- 1:45PM - 2:45PM
- TRS - Financial Bridges Presentation
- The Recycling Partnership
- 1:45PM - 2:30PM
- TRS - PET Panel
- Niagara & Coca-Cola Southwest Beverages
- 1:45PM - 2:30PM
- TRS - City of Austin's Universal Recycling Ordinance: 15 Years of Zero Waste
- City of Austin
- 2:45PM - 3:30PM
- TRS - Breakdown of Plastics 3 through 7
- Cyclyx
- 2:45PM - 3:30PM
- TRS - Environmental Law Enforcement
- CAPCOG
- 4:45PM - 6:30PM
- HAPPY HOUR
- Meet with Exhibitors, enjoy refreshments, and network with peers.
Day 3 (Fri, May 9, 2025)
- 8:00AM - 10:30AM
- Breakfast and Networking
- 10:30AM - 12:00PM
- STAR Annual Membership Meeting (Members Only)
- Join STAR for our annual membership meeting where we discuss important organizational business, roadmap for the next year, and elect new board members.