Rep. Keith Ellison, D-Minn., who has been an outspoken advocate for environmental issues, including reintroducing national zero waste legislation, will speak during the closing session of the  Resource Recycling Conference in Minneapolis in late August.

The Congressman and other speakers will dive into the ways the country’s current political environment is affecting materials recovery nationwide.

Ellison, who has represented Minnesota’s fifth district in Congress since 2007, is a supporter of materials recovery on Capitol Hill. In February, he reintroduced legislation (H.R. 1034) aimed at developing a $100 million grant program to support communities progressing waste prevention, reuse, recycling, composting and partnerships with domestic manufacturers that will use locally recycled materials.

Ellison is also co-chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus and in February became co-chair of the Democratic National Committee. The Minnesota district he represents includes Minneapolis and the surrounding suburbs.

H.R. 1034, or the Zero Waste Development and Expansion Act, was reintroduced by Ellison on Feb. 15; it was first introduced in Congress in 2015. The legislation provides critical investment in infrastructure, technologies, and practices to prevent waste and promote recovery and reuse. It also helps support local businesses interested in eliminating wasteful practices and packaging, and it develops outreach and education programs.

The conference, which annually brings together North America’s top recycling and composting executives and government officials, is taking place Aug. 28-30 at the Hyatt Regency Minneapolis.

The closing session featuring Rep. Ellison is scheduled for 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 30 at the Hyatt Regency. The session is being organized by the National Recycling Coalition and the Recycling Association of Minnesota.