MARC Solid Waste Management Council meets with potential partners at organic materials forum

To that end, the District organized an Organic Materials Forum at the Kauffman Foundation Conference Center last week to identify needed materials-processing infrastructure to optimize the value of reusable materials vital to building this circular economy. 

By diverting durable, low-carbon materials from landfills and retaining them locally, MARC and event co-host Foundation for Regeneration hope to build a more resilient and self-reliant regional ecosystem.

Sixty regional circular economy stakeholders gathered to hear presentations from panelists whose work addresses needs identified in municipal and state plans regarding the reuse and recycling of organic materials.

In preparation for the forum, a request for information was sent out to identify strategic partners across the entire value chain—from waste generators to processors—who can contribute to this regenerative infrastructure. Nineteen organizations responded to that request, and nine were selected across two panels to discuss food systems and non-food organics, respectively: 

• Kevin Anderson, Missouri Organics
• Tony Whitter, Compost Collective
• Clayton Neidigh, Third Eye Organics
• Mark Samborski, Antioch Urban Growers
• Tamara Weber, Pete's Garden
• Amiel Green, Greener Horizons
• John Michaels, Cirque Renewables
• Charles Menifee, KC Biochar
• Jason Nichols, Liberty Power Gardens in New Providence, New Jersey

The larger vision includes the development of circular industrial parks to leverage our region's intermodal logistics. These parks could position the region as a Midwest hub for secondary materials, and are designed to stimulate business growth, create high-quality jobs and provide the community with more equitable access to affordable goods.

The forum also included a presentation by Foundation for Regeneration's Brian Weingberg on the value proposition for this proposed partnership. Brian is a co-founder and executive director of the organization, with a background in philanthropy, social entrepreneurship, and impact investing. 

Angie Powell, director of the State of Missouri's Environmental Improvement & Energy Resources Authority (EIERA) Market Development Program, presented on the state's Sustainable Materials Management Plan released earlier this year. 

Jensen Adams, Chief Environmental Officer for the City of Kansas City, Missouri, and RRS (recycle.com) consultant Kate Maguire presented on behalf of the city's own Circular Organics Economy Plan. 

Attendees broke out into discussion groups with each table tackling a different aspect of the material recovery plan: planning and policy, local leadership, waste prevention and reuse, programs and collections, infrastructure investment, and development of end markets.