Plenary 1 • Communities Leading Toward Zero Waste
Plenary 1 • Communities Leading Toward Zero Waste
In this spotlight session, hear three leaders—from three very different communities—highlight how their communities are moving toward Zero Waste.
When: October 22, 2026 • 8:45 am
Representing Del Norte County, CA, Tedd Ward will describe how rural Del Norte County developed and adopted the first municipal Zero Waste Plan in the nation in 2000, and how those efforts continue to shape recovery programs on the north coast of California and beyond.
Representing Austin, TX, Gena McKinley, Deputy Director for Austin Resource Recovery, will highlight how the implementation of Austin’s Zero Waste Plan has advanced the community’s long‑term sustainability goals.
Representing Athens, GA, Susanne Warrenfeld, with support from Randy Priest and Abigail Sawyer as authors/contributors, will explain how The Classic City Marathon, Clarke County School District, and Athens-Clarke County Solid Waste Department collaborated to move food waste to garden space in Athens, GA. The 2026 Classic City Marathon hosted ~1,900 participants while achieving 94% waste diversion from the landfill.
