Speaker Bios/Presentations

Conference Tracks
Select a conference track from the list below to see session, speaker, and handout/presentation information for that track.

Pre-Conference Workshops
Tuesday, April 07, 2015 • 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Pre-Training Session: HAZWOPER Refresher
Studio II

This is the annual HAZWOPER refresher training required for HHW facility staff and is specifically targeted for Household Hazardous Waste operations and taught by professional HHW personnel. Topics include: regulatory requirements, toxicology, safe practices, personal protection, waste management, material reuse, and decontamination. This training satisfies the requirements of Cal/OSHA requirements (California Code of Regulations, Title 8, §5192).

Speakers

Lyn Beurmann, Waste Management Supervisor, County of Kern (Retired)
Ionie Wallace, Deputy Fire Marshal, San Bernardino County Fire Department

Presentations/Handouts

Pre-Training Session: HHW Facility Workshop – Keys to Successful Design
Studio III

Whether you are working on your first HHW collection facility or remodeling your current facility, this workshop will give you critical tools and concepts to meet your program’s needs while creating a safer, more efficient collection facility. If you have a site or are in the design process, bring your project plan with you. Small groups will work together to apply the integrated workshop concepts of budget, operations, and design.

Speakers

David Nightingale, Principal, Special Waste Associates

Presentations/Handouts

No presentations or handouts have been submitted for this session.
Back to Top

Pre-Conference Workshops
Tuesday, April 07, 2015 • 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Pre-Training Session: HHW for Managers
Studio IV

Household Hazardous Waste managers are responsible for compliance of their facilities with many regulatory requirements from many different local and state agencies. This course is designed for those HHW program supervisors that oversee operations but do not actively work in the facility handling wastes. It provides information on how to make sure your facility is in compliance with the multitude of regulatory requirements imposed on HHW programs.

Speakers

Larry Sweester, President , Sweetser & Associates, Inc

Presentations/Handouts

Back to Top

Pre-Conference Workshops
Wednesday, April 08, 2015 • 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Pre Training Session: CUPA Case Studies
Studio IV

Do you inspect HHW facilities or small businesses? Is your HHW program inspected? If so – this class is for you! Any HHW program that routinely deals with inspections will find this training very useful. The course provides a unique perspective on developing a mutually beneficial relationship between program manager and inspector. Case studies are provided that illustrate how California’s CUPA inspection program deals with compliance issues found at CESQG sites and at HHW facilities.

Speakers

David Aoki, Hazardous Materials Specialist, Los Angeles County Fire Department, Health Hazardous Materials Division
Alexander Ng, R.E.H.S. Hazardous Materials Specialist, Central District, LA County Fire
Malcom Maxwell, HHW Contractor for Butte County, National Response Corporation
Marc Winkler, HHW Operations Manager, Stericycle Environmental Solutions | PSC
Lisa Steinman, Waste Management Specialist, Sonoma County Waste Management Agency
Moderator: Elizabeth Rouan, Household Hazardous Waste Program Coordinator, San Mateo County HHW Program

Presentations/Handouts

Pre-Training Session: Chemistry for Non-Chemists & Identification of Unknowns
Studio III

Build on your knowledge of what the hazards are for those HHW products that come to your HHW program. Learn how to use practical references such as labels, MSDS’s, DOT Charts, and reference books to identify the chemical ingredients and properties of these HHW products. This course provides information on basic chemistry related to HHW including the basic properties of chemicals hazardous properties, incompatibles, and classification of chemicals collected at HHW programs. Participants will learn some principles involved in categorizing unlabeled wastes for storage compatibility and to meet criteria for recycling, treatment, or disposal. Known and unknown HHW products will be tested using basic chemical tests such as pH, oxidizer, and water solubility. Other testing methods will also be discussed.

Speakers

Ionie Wallace, Deputy Fire Marshal, San Bernardino County Fire Department
Moderator: Steve Rodowick , Recycling Coordinator, Butte County

Presentations/Handouts

No presentations or handouts have been submitted for this session.
Pre-Training Session: Emergency Response for HHW Programs
Studio II

Emergency responses at HHW programs are rare but staff need to be aware of potential emergency situations. The Emergency Response for HHW Programs is a new course that focuses on the applicable emergency response requirements for HHW programs and offers practical advice to plan for and address emergencies. The training will include how to determine an emergency situation, response measures, agency notifications, and documentation.

Speakers

Larry Sweester (Placeholder), President , Sweetser & Associates, Inc
Brent Whitener, Programs Manager, Humboldt County

Presentations/Handouts

Back to Top

Welcome/Opening Remarks/Keynote Presentation, Day One
Wednesday, April 08, 2015 • 12:45 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Fingerprinting Methods for “CSI” Investigations of Spilled Oil
Main Ballroom

Dr. Ioana G. Petrisor, Editor-in-Chief of Environmental Forensics Journal and the author of the recently published book “Environmental Forensics Fundamentals – A Practical Guide”, will present the state-of-the-art of fingerprinting techniques, illustrating their use in spilled oil source identification and age-dating. The typical tiered fingerprinting approach (including chemical and isotopic fingerprinting) will be overviewed, along with emerging techniques such as tree-ring fingerprinting (dendroecology). Innovative approaches used in real cases will be discussed. These techniques provide evidence used in the Court of Law to track and elucidate “environmental crimes” and to allocate between responsible parties. Beyond the legal application, the presented techniques provide powerful tools for sustainable site characterization and remediation.

Speakers

Ioana Petrisor, Senior Biochemist, Great Ecology

Presentations/Handouts

Back to Top

Workshop Session One
Wednesday, April 08, 2015 • 2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.

EI-1: Pollution Prevention Approaches (Pollution Prevention Techniques & Lessons Learned)
Studio IV

The session will commence with a discussion of the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ)’s Pollution Prevention (P2) Program. P2 program staff will present information on the State filing thresholds, regulatory requirements and keys to successful P2 implementation. In addition, examples of successful P2 techniques in the areas of hazardous waste generation, toxic substance use, solid waste reduction and natural resource conservation implemented by facilities in ADEQ’s P2 Program will be presented. The second part of the session includes a discussion of the California Department of Toxic Substances Control’s (DTSC’s) Model Shop Program for auto shops and electroplating sectors. The DTSC’s Model Shop Program was a unique voluntary pollution prevention program designed to help auto service, auto-body, and metal finishing businesses run a cleaner and safer shop. Local agencies planning for creating similar incentive program should know the downfalls issues.

Speakers

Linneth Lopez, Environmental Engineering Specialist, Arizona Department of Environmental Quality
Nabil Yacoub, Senior Environmental Scientist (Specialist), CalEPA-DTSC

Presentations/Handouts

HHW-1: Basic Orientation to Household Hazardous Waste
Studio III

New to Household Hazardous Waste (HHW). This session will provide a basic overview of HHW program options, how they work, advantages of each type, regulatory overview, and available resources.

Speakers

Burke Lucy, Environmental Scientist, CalRecycle
Tranette Sanders, ,
Larry Sweetser, President, Sweetser & Associates, Inc.
Liz Wagner, Environmental Scientist, CalRecycle
Moderator: Matt Fong, Environmental Scientist, CalRecycle

Presentations/Handouts

UO-1: Oil and Water Don't Mix
Studio II

Do you manage a marina oil collection facility or planning one in the future? This session is for you! Learn about the successes and challenges of marina oil collection centers; absorbent pad exchange programs; boater targeted outreach and education; oil spill prevention; and bilge water pumpout stations. Panel speakers will present the most current marina program trends.

Speakers

Linda Dickinson, Integrated Waste Management Specialist , CalRecycle
Vicki Gambale , Grants and Programs Coordinator, The Bay Foundation
Kiel Gillis, ,
Mick Kronman, Harbormaster, City of Santa Barbara
Manuel Medrano, Recycling Specialist II, Chula Vista - Public Works Department

Presentations/Handouts

Back to Top

Workshop Session Two
Wednesday, April 08, 2015 • 4:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.

EI-2: California’s E-waste Efforts: Are We Creating Problems Elsewhere Today? Tomorrow?
Studio IV

California’s covered electronic waste (CEW) recovery and recycling program was established by the Electronic Waste Recycling Act of 2003. In its ten years of operation, more than 1.75 billion pounds of unwanted video displays have been diverted, collected, and dismantled in-state, with the derived residuals flowing into a global marketplace. At the outset, cathode ray tubes (CRTs) and CRT glass could readily find a disposition that seemed to fulfill the conditional authorization under which all CEW recyclers operated. Increasingly, now, we learn of CRT abandonments and stockpiles occurring beyond the direct regulatory control of California agencies, and serious doubts emerge regarding the legitimacy of purported and proposed markets. California must quickly solve the challenge of unmarketable hazardous residuals from legacy electronic products while simultaneously pivoting to address new technologies entering the e-waste stream; technologies that present greater complexities for material handling, resource extraction, and regulatory oversight.

Speakers

Matthew Hickman , Environmental Compliance Manager, Riverside County Waste Management
Jeff Hunts, Environmental Program Manager, CalRecycle

Presentations/Handouts

HHW-2: Breaking Bad: Drugs and Hazardous Waste
Studio III

Hazardous wastes are produced from illicit drug operations throughout the state, creating tremendous impacts on tremendous impacts on water, land use, and the environment. This session will characterize cleanup and mitigation activities associated with these illicit activities and highlight some of the unique problems encountered in dealing with the local drug culture. An overview of wastes associated with these operations, how to identify them, and advice on implementing pollution prevention techniques will be provided.

Speakers

George Baker, Senior Environmental Scientist - Emergency Response Coordinator, DTSC
Brent Whitener, Programs Manager, Humboldt County
Moderator: Emily Wang, Environmental Scientist, CalRecycle

Presentations/Handouts

UO-2: What's New in Oil Again: Refreshing the Used Oil Payment Program
Studio II

The target audience for this session is jurisdictions who receive CalRecycle funding via the Oil Payment Program (OPP) to carry out local used oil programs. CalRecycle staff will provide an updated overview of the OPP reporting system - how it works and recent improvements. Panel speakers will present "lessons learned" since the OPP has been active, as well as innovative projects applying to the Used Oil Certified Collection Center Program, which OPP supports. The session concludes with an opportunity for the attendees to pose questions to the panel as well as meet in smaller groups with their respective CalRecycle Program Advisors.

Speakers

Linda Dickinson, Integrated Waste Management Specialist, CalRecycle
Ashraf Batavia, Used Oil Program Advisor, CalRecycle
Harnak Samra, Used Oil Program Advisor, CalRecycle
Jeffrey Lin, Supervisor, Grants and Payments Unit, CalRecycle
Moderator: Baljot Biring, Used Oil Program Lead Advisor, CalRecycle

Presentations/Handouts

Back to Top

Keynote Presentation, Day Two
Thursday, April 09, 2015 • 8:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.

Action! Media and the Arts take a leading role in sustainability
Main Ballroom

Whether creating environmentally themed content, implementing green best practices, or leading by example, the Arts have a valuable role to play in the area of sustainability. In addition to caring about the impact of their messages, Media and the Arts have started thinking about the impact of HOW those messages are created. From motion pictures and museums to private galleries and small theaters, the Media and Arts communities work to creatively address the issues with their artists, crew and audiences.

Speakers

Amanda Scarano Carter, Entertainment Operational Consultant and Producer, Green Penny Productions

Presentations/Handouts

No presentations or handouts have been submitted for this session.
Back to Top

Workshop Session Three
Thursday, April 09, 2015 • 10:15 a.m. - 11:45 a.m.

EI-3: Film Industry Reuse Panel Discussion
Studio IV

Here are 3 LA area organizations involved in lessening the impact of resources required and materials consumed in the commercial production of film and advertising shoots. Each in its unique way provides source reduction education and resourcefulness for proper accountability and disposal. Join us for a look at our host city’s local industry from a sustainability perspective!

Speakers

Bert Ball, Executive Director, L. A. SHARES
Chase White, Owner/Operator, Recycled Movie Sets
Amy Hammes, Donations and Business Development Director, EcoSet
Moderator: Chris Carrieri, Partner, C2: Alternative Services

Presentations/Handouts

HHW-3: Emerging HHW: Past, Present and Future
Studio III

As new products and materials continue to enter the waste stream, government programs are faced with the challenges of determining the hazards associated with them and determining the means to properly manage them. This session will focus on three different products at different stages of this process. Nanomaterials are a product whose toxicity and hazards are still not entirely understood. The hazards found in smoke detectors are better understood, but a new non-removable battery mandate poses new challenges for collection in the coming years. The collection of pharmaceuticals has seen many different approaches throughout the years and present something of a test case for product stewardship programs and local ordinances.

Speakers

Dr. Patricia Holden, Environmental Considerations of Manufactured and Engineered Nanomaterials, University of California, Santa Barbara
Leo Raudys, VP Program Development, Call2Recycle
Steve Rodowick, Recycling Coordinator, Butte County
Heidi Sanborn, Executive Director , CPSC
Moderator: Emily Wang, Environmental Scientist, CalRecycle

Presentations/Handouts

UO-3: Implementing a Successful Used Oil/Filter Curbside Collection Program.
Studio II

Drawing on the results of an ongoing study for CalRecycle of curbside used oil/filter collection as well as draft training materials in preparation, this interactive workshop will allow local officials, haulers, and others to explore the potential for -- and means of -- successfully implementing new curbside programs or improving existing programs in their own jurisdictions.

Speakers

W. David Conn, Professor Emeritus of City & Regional Planning, California Polytechnic State University
Meg Henry, Research Analyst, California Polytechnic State University

Presentations/Handouts

Back to Top

Workshop Session Four
Thursday, April 09, 2015 • 1:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

EI-4: Behavior Change: Four Elements of a Successful Campaign
Studio IV

Learn more about how to pursue behavior change for your program. This session will present four different approaches and perspectives for affecting behavior change. Learn about: conducting research to determine what works for your target audience, using mobile phones to reach millennials, how to get the news media to cover your issue, and creative ways to reach your audience at schools and events.

Speakers

Matt Bolender, Used Oil Recycling Project, Contra Costa Clean Water Program
Namju Cho, Project Manager, S. Groner Associates, Inc. (SGA)
Stephen Groner, President, S. Groner Associates
Philip Kao, Technology Manager, S. Groner Associates, Inc. (SGA)
Jen Winfrey, Recycling Specialist, San Diego County
Moderator: Julia Au, ,

Presentations/Handouts

HHW-4: Form 303/Introduction to California Environmental Reporting System
Studio III

State law and regulations mandate that each public agency responsible for HHW management report hazardous materials-related data and collection amounts. This session will provide an overview of the California Environmental Reporting System (CERS) managed by California Unified Program Agencies (CUPA’s); and the HHW Form 303 reporting system managed by CalRecycle. Discussion will include applicability and cost saving P2 techniques for CERS and data results and proposed updates/improvements to the Form 303 online system.

Speakers

Burke Lucy, Environmental Scientist, CalRecycle
Larry Sweetser, President, Sweetser & Associates, Inc.
Liz Wagner, Environmental Scientist, CalRecycle
Moderator: Tranette Sanders, , Los Angeles County

Presentations/Handouts

UO-4: Care and Feeding of Your Certified Collection Centers
Studio II

Hot off the press, new materials to help make your used oil recycling program successful. Did you know 70% of the DIYer used oil collected state-wide is brought to CCCs? Are you doing everything possible to make this partnership work for you, the CCC businesses and the DIYer public? We’ll introduce new resources and techniques. Come prepared to have fun as we indulge in some whimsical role-play with special guests. Laughing out loud is OK!

Speakers

Mark Bunnell, Comedy Entertainer, Chaos Comedy Productions / Mark and Dre Show
Chris Carrieri, Partner, C2: Alternative Services
Connie Cloak, Partner, C2: Alternative Services
Andrea Terry, Comedy Entertainer, Chaos Comedy Productions / Mark and Dre Show

Presentations/Handouts

Back to Top

Workshop Session Five
Thursday, April 09, 2015 • 3:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

EI-5: Local Conservation Corps and World Café Discussion
Studio IV

Join this presentation to learn about how conservation corps are helping local jurisdictions increase used oil, HHW and other recycling rates. With financial support from CalRecycle the 14 local conservation corps throughout California are working strategically and collaboratively with local governments to co-create solutions to challenging waste management issues. Local conservation corps provide recycling industry training to young adults while helping jurisdictions solve environmental and social issues. We will also be discussing topics of interest to the group in a World Café based on thoughts, comments, and questions provided by conference attendees throughout the conference. Please add your thoughts and questions to the boards near the registration tables in preparation for this discussion.

Speakers

Karla Ramos, Senior Program Manager, LA Conservation Corps.
Moderator: Robert Carlson, Senior Environmental Scientist, CalRecycle
Moderator: Michelle Martin, Branch Chief, CalRecycle

Presentations/Handouts

HHW-5: Is your HHW program convenient?
Studio III

The first Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Programs started in the 1980s. Is your program “effective” relative to others in the state? We will also discuss what program “convenience” means and a formula for determining effectiveness. We will also explore the impact of existing Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) programs on municipal HHW collection, and provide an update on progress and convenience.

Speakers

Burke Lucy, Environmental Scientist, CalRecycle
David Nightingale, Principal, Special Waste Associates
Larry Sweetser, President, Sweetser & Associates, Inc.
Liz Wagner, Environmental Scientist, CalRecycle
Moderator: Dee Johnson, , Novato Sanitary District

Presentations/Handouts

UO-5: Used Oil Recycling to Zero Waste Partnerships
Studio II

The City of Oceanside will conduct a workshop for state and local agencies to demonstrate how they, like Oceanside, can increase awareness and change behaviors to increase recycling of used oil and filters and advance additional environmental issues such as Zero Waste and pollution prevention. We will outline and demonstrate new and innovative partnerships and tools. Our presentation will introduce new technologies and approaches that help businesses increase awareness with their employees about the importance of recycling used oil.

Speakers

Colleen Foster, Senior Management Analyst - Solid Waste and Recycling, City of Oceanside
Bill Dean , Owner , Dean and Associates

Presentations/Handouts

Back to Top

Keynote Presentation, Day Three
Friday, April 10, 2015 • 8:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.

Plastic Pollution, Problems and Solutions
Main Ballroom

The issue of plastic pollution has gained world-wide attention over the last several years. Why? A very small group of dedicated individuals taught themselves about the extent of plastic pollution and its harmful effects in our oceans, then took that message to the rest of the world. This presentation will review the findings from research in this emerging field, conducted primarily in the North Pacific Ocean. Detrimental effects will be reviewed, including the potential for impact on the human race. The most recent research expedition done by Algalita Marine Research and Education will be reviewed. Potential solutions, including industry/environmental partnerships, further research, and individual actions are discussed. Plastic pollution was named one of the most problematic issues by the United Nations Environmental Program. See why, and what can be done to stop it.

Speakers

Bill Francis, Director and President Emeritus, Algalita Marine Research and Education

Presentations/Handouts

Back to Top

Workshop Session Six
Friday, April 10, 2015 • 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

EI-6: Preparing your HHW Program for Natural Disasters
Studio IV

Is your program prepared for the next big earthquake? The city of Napa will speak about their disaster clean-up experiences after the August 2014 earthquake, and the lessons that they learned on the logistics of handling debris management, coordinating with other agencies, and receiving financial support from disaster agencies such as FEMA. This session will also discuss how to create a disaster management plan and focus on challenges specific to HHW programs.

Speakers

Kevin Miller, Materials Diversion Administrator, City of Napa Public Works Department
Todd Thalhammer, Senior Waste Management Engineer, CalRecycle
Moderator: Laura Wright, Administrative Officer, City of Pittsburg

Presentations/Handouts

HHW-6: Illegal Disposal: Funding Opportunities and Program Evaluations
Studio III

Description - Learn about grant funding opportunities available from CalRecycle for illegal disposal of waste tires, solid waste, and other materials. We will also will share easy tips on designing an effective campaign with clear evaluation metrics that can be collaboratively identified, collected and analyzed to accurately measure impact and incorporate into future programming. The workshop will use Palmdale’s campaigns to curb Illegal Dumping as an example of how this was applied successfully to great results.

Speakers

Ben Lucha, Senior Administrative Analyst, City of Palmdale
Carla Repucci, Environmental Scientist, CalRecycle
Namju Cho, Project Manager, S. Groner Associates
Larissa Nickel, Visual and Performing Arts Instructor, Art Galley Co-Director, Antelope Valley College
Moderator: Elizabeth Rouan, Household Hazardous Waste Program Coordinator, San Mateo County HHW Program

Presentations/Handouts

UO-6: Panel Discussion with Collection Center Big Kahunas
Studio II

California’s Used Oil Collection programs rely heavily on the participation of automotive businesses that agree to accept used oil from the public, especially a handful of big chains. This session gives a rare opportunity to learn from the perspective of these key players. What’s working and not working for them? How can we make it even better? What’s happening in other states where they operate? We’re anticipating a fascinating discussion!

Speakers

Cindy Brown, Owner, Connie & Dick’s Service Center Inc., Claremont CA
John Denholm, Environmental Compliance Officer, Oil Changer, Inc
Ken Swisher, Facilities Maintenance Manager, Oil Stop Inc.
Moderator: Chris Carrieri, Partner, C2: Alternative Services

Presentations/Handouts

No presentations or handouts have been submitted for this session.
Back to Top