We're excited to announce the agenda and speaker lineup for the Zero Waste Campus Council:  Meet Up, Waste Down Workshop, taking place on Sunday, August 30, 2026, at UC San Diego's Climate Lab.

Join sustainability professionals, waste and recycling practitioners, facilities and operations staff, students, and industry partners for a full day of networking, collaboration, and practical learning focused on advancing zero waste and sustainability across higher education.

As organizations continue to navigate budget constraints while meeting state mandates and sustainability goals, this workshop offers valuable opportunities to exchange ideas, discover innovative solutions, and learn from leading experts who are shaping the future of resource management.

This Year's Program Features

This year's agenda includes presentations, discussions, and speakers such as:

• SB 1383 Implementation at Colleges and Universities
• • Emily Schuetz, Senior Environmental Scientist, CalRecycle
  • Annie Liu, Environmental Scientist, CalRecycle
• Circular Action Alliance on SB54 and Reusables
• • Christopher Slafter, Reuse & Refill Senior Manager, Circular Action Alliance
• Beyond Diversion: How cross-team collaboration led to exceptional construction waste outcomes, and project cost savings, at the new UC Berkeley's Barbara and Gerson Building
• • Stephanie Barger, Director, Marketing, Transformation & Development, U.S. Green Building Council
    Lin King, Zero Waste Manager, UC Berkeley Cal Zero Waste
    Brett Stuckey, Regional Sustainability Manager, Turner Construction
    Mike Teixeira, Co-owner, Ground Force Enterprises
• SFO on Zero Waste Programs
• • Evelyn Ferreira, Zero Waste and Compliance Lead, San Francisco International Airport
• Reuse First: Transforming Campus Surplus into Opportunity
• • Laura Gonzalez-Ospina, Waste & Sustainability Analyst, Sacramento State
  • Scarlett Zamora, Zero Waste Coordinator, CSU Dominguez Hills
• UC San Diego Zero Waste & Dining
• • Elizabeth Lin, Waste Management, Recycling, & Sustainability Manager, UC San Diego
• Industry partners including Bay Area Trash Compactor, ImperialBrady, and Max-R

The day concludes with an exclusive guided tour of UC San Diego's waste management, sustainability programs and operations, providing attendees with practical ideas they can bring back to their own campuses and organizations.

Why Attend?

• Learn directly from state agencies, higher education leaders, and industry experts

• Stay current on SB 1383, SB 54, reuse initiatives, and emerging waste reduction strategies

• Discover practical solutions that reduce costs while improving diversion and operational efficiency

• Exchange ideas and best practices with peers from across California

• Build valuable professional connections and partnerships

• Experience UC San Diego's recognized sustainability and zero waste programs through an exclusive campus tour

Workshop Details

Date: Sunday, August 30, 2026

Time: 9:00 AM to 2:30 PM
(Check-in begins at 8:00 AM)

Location: UC San Diego Climate Lab

Extend Your Learning

The workshop is held in conjunction with the California Resource Recovery Association (CRRA) Annual Conference. Maximize your travel by attending both events and gain access to additional educational sessions, policy updates, industry insights, and networking opportunities with professionals from across the resource recovery and sustainability sectors.