RecyclingWorks in Massachusetts holds regular forums for businesses and institutions. These forums bring together business leaders, sustainability professionals, facilities managers, food service providers, and others to learn about waste-related topics, network, and share ideas.  See below for more information about upcoming and past Forums! 

The RecyclingWorks forums were formerly part of the WasteWise program, sponsored nationally by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and in Massachusetts by the Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP). WasteWise and the Food Recovery Challenge were voluntary programs designed to help private and public organizations work toward reductions in solid waste.  

The US EPA is planning to evolve its Sustainable Materials Management partnership programs to align with new priorities and is no longer accepting new WasteWise or Food Recovery partners. Please visit the EPA Sustainable Materials Management Partnership Programs webpage to learn more.  

From 1994 to 2020, WasteWise partners prevented and diverted close to 249 million tons of waste, saving over $13.7 billion in avoided landfill tipping fees, and reducing carbon emissions by more than 488 million MTCO2e. From 2011 to 2020, Food Recovery challenge partners diverted over 5.5 million tons of food, including 250,000 tons through food waste prevention activities. Many Massachusetts organizations were recognized for their achievements through these programs. Visit the EPA website to learn more about past WasteWise and Food Recovery Challenge award winners. Food Recovery Challenge award winners.  

Upcoming RecyclingWorks in Massachusetts Forums 

Stay tuned and check back for details on future Forums!

Previous RecyclingWorks in Massachusetts Forums

  •   Spring 2017 – WasteWise Forum
    • MassDEP Updates – John Fischer, Branch Chief, Commercial Waste Reduction and Waste Planning
    • U.S. EPA Updates – Christine Beling, Project Engineer
    • Panel on Diversion Across the EPA Food Recovery Hierarchy:
      • Gillette Stadium – Bronson Green, Site Operations Manager
      • Whole Foods – Karen Franczyk, Green Mission Coordinator for the North Atlantic Region
      • UMass Dartmouth – Jamieson Jacquart, Assistant Director for Campus Sustainability and Residential Initiatives
      • Patriot Place – Christopher Wheeler, Operations Manager
    • Cost Presentation, Discussion, and Q&A – Heather Billings, Environmental Specialist, RecyclingWorks in MA. See related Food Recovery Cost Considerations Handout for more information.
    • Gillette Stadium Waste Diversion Initiatives – Jason Stone, Senior Director of Operations
  • Spring 2014 – Food Waste Vendor Fair
    • An Overview of the Commercial Food Waste Ban: John Fischer, Branch Chief for Commercial Waste Reduction and Waste Planning at MassDEP. Learn about the basics on both the existing waste bans and the new commercial organics ban.
    • Best Management Practices: Lorenzo Macaluso, Program Director at RecyclingWorks. An overview of “back of the house” and hauler-related best management practices.
    • Federal Facilities Workshop: Robert Guillemin, Project Engineer with the assistance and Pollution Prevention Unit at US EPA. A discussion on how the Commercial Food Waste Ban impacts Federal Facilities and the FREE compliance assistance available to Federal Facilities located in the Commonwealth through the RecyclingWorks program.
    • Vendor Details: Find out more about each of the attending vendors.
  • Spring 2012: Beyond Recycling: Getting to Zero Waste
  • Fall 2011: Stepping Up to the Plate: Winning Strategies for Food Waste Diversion
  • Fall 2010: Getting to Zero Waste Performance-Based Contracting
  • Spring 2010: Chasing the Current on Electronic Wastes
  • Fall 2009: The Wrap on Paper Recycling!
  • Spring 2009: Green on Demand!
  • Fall 2008: Don’t Waste Your Energy!
  • Spring 2008: Food Waste Recycling: Ripe for the Picking!
  • Fall 2007: The 3 R’s of WasteWise: Reduction, Reporting & Recognition
  • Spring 2007: Don’t Waste Our Climate
  • Fall 2006: Green Teams, Environmental Management Systems (EMS).
  • Spring 2006: Green building, surplus materials recycling, MassDEP waste reduction programs.
  • Fall 2005: Construction & demolition debris
  • Spring 2005: Paper Recycling and WasteWise Program Guidance

 

Previous Massachusetts WasteWise Program Award Winners

2021

  • Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center:  Non-profit Organization, Partner of the Year and Green Innovator

2020

  • Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center:  Non-profit Organization, Partner of the Year

2019

  • Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center:  Non-profit Organization, Partner of the Year
  • Home Market Foods: Small Business, Honorable Mention
    • Read about the award recipients in this blog post.

2018

  • University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth: College/University, Partner of the Year
    • Read about the award recipient in this blog post.

November 2017

  • Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center:  Non-profit Organization, Partner of the Year
  • Big Y World Class Markets: Regional WasteWise Achievement Certificate
  • Central Mass Mosquito Control: Regional WasteWise Achievement Certificate
  • UMass Memorial Health Care: Regional WasteWise Achievement Certificate

November 2014

  • Clark University: College/University, Honorable Mention

November 2013

  • Dana–Farber Cancer Institute: Non-Profit Organization, Partner of the Year

November 2012

  • The Boston Red Sox: Award Recipient
  • TD Garden: Award Recipient
  • The Colonnade Hotel: Award Recipient

November 2010

  • E.L. Harvey & Sons: Endorser of the Year Award

June 2010

  • Towns of Hamilton & Wenham:  Leaders in Innovation Award
  • Suffolk University:  Partner of the Year Award

December 2009

  • Center for EcoTechnology: Endorser of the Year Award

November 2008

  • Millipore Corporation: Partner of the Year Award
  • Seaport Hotel: Leader in Innovation Award

November 2007

  • Staples Inc.: Leadership Award
  • Whole Foods Market: Leadership Award

November 2006

  • Massachusetts Convention Center Authority: Leadership Award

November 2005

  • Lemuel Shattuck Hospital: Leadership Award
  • Raytheon Company: Leadership Award

October 2004

  • Big Y Foods: Supermarket Recycling Leadership Award
  • Hannaford Bros.: Supermarket Recycling Leadership Award
  • Roche Bros.:  Supermarket Recycling Leadership Award
  • Shaw’s Supermarkets: Supermarket Recycling Leadership Award
  • Stop & Shop:  Supermarket Recycling Leadership Award
  • Whole Foods: Supermarket Recycling Leadership Award

June 2004

  • Consigli Construction Co.: Construction Recycling Leadership Award