The inaugural Waste360 Recycling Summit, which examines critical issues surrounding recycling and sustainability, kicked off last night at Chicago’s Hyatt Regency O’Hare hotel.

The Waste360 Recycling Summit, produced in partnership with the National Waste & Recycling Association (NWRA) is a three-day event that brings together industry thought leaders, practitioners, customers and manufacturers to discuss the industry’s challenges and opportunities.

Wednesday’s events included committee meetings and an opening reception at the event’s exhibit hall. More than 25 companies and organizations are exhibiting at the event.

On Thursday, the conference’s education tracks begin. A “Customer Sustainability Panel” will bring together leading companies, including Mars, Incorporated, Starbucks Coffee Company and the City of Chicago to discuss how to create successful sustainability programs.

Barnes Johnson, the director of the EPA’s Office of Resource Conservation and Recovery, will deliver the events keynote address at a special awards luncheon.

Other subjects on Thursday will include problematic materials, managing contamination, waste collection models, automated collection and many other topics.