The Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA) and the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries (ISRI) are joining forces to host the 2018 MRF Summit at SWANA’s WASTECON conference, which is being held August 20-23 in Nashville.

The summit will provide materials recovery facility (MRF) owners, municipal solid waste professionals, consumer products companies and government officials with a forum to discuss MRF issues and challenges, such as contamination, technology and industry policy.

“SWANA is excited to host this important and timely event at WASTECON, as MRFs struggle to address the challenges posed by more stringent contamination standards and a changing waste stream,” said David Biderman, SWANA’s executive director and CEO, in a statement. “We have collaborated with ISRI in several areas over the past few years, and this joint MRF Summit marks another significant milestone in our strong relationship.

Through the MRF Summit, stakeholders from all areas of the recycling supply chain can come together and address common issues; the event will raise awareness among SWANA members about ISRI’s Inbound Material Specifications and encourage all participants to collaborate on developing innovative solutions to current industry challenges.

“This summit is the first of its kind, bringing together consumer brand owners, material recovery facilities, mass retailers, scrap consumers, trade organizations and municipal solid waste leaders to debate the pros, cons and realities of recycling different types of materials,” said Robin Wiener, president of ISRI, in a statement. “With curbside residential recycling upended by China restrictions and contamination, this is expected to host the most spirited debates that have ever occurred in this industry.”

Held at SWANA’s largest annual conference for the solid waste and recycling industry, the MRF Summit will offer a special “track” for WASTECON attendees, featuring unique sessions, keynote addresses from environmental leaders and networking events for industry professionals.