Industry organizations will offer a variety of in-person conferences in 2026 meant to cultivate conversations around some of the most pressing issues in the waste and recycling industry.
These upcoming conferences will cater to professionals working in collections, landfill operations, recycling, organics, technology and more.
Conference-goers will discuss a range of topics, including industry innovations, policy matters, commodity markets, extended producer responsibility, labor issues and the role of artificial intelligence, among others.
Below is a list of relevant waste and recycling conferences planned for the first half of the year. Our list includes most major national events, and the list is periodically updated with new events.
We won’t be able to accommodate every local conference, but would still love to hear about your upcoming event. Reach out at waste.dive.editors@industrydive.com.
Waste and recycling conferences in 2026
CDRA Conference & Tradeshow
Jan. 27-30
Wesley Chapel, Florida
The Construction & Demolition Recycling Association’s annual conference brings together stakeholders in the C&D recycling industry to discuss trends and explore emerging technologies.
Compost 2026
Feb. 2-5
Sacramento, California
The U.S. Composting Council hosts this multiday conference, which it pitches as "The World's Largest Composting Event." The conference features panels and workshops on a range of topics, including feedstocks, technology and regulation.
Global Waste Management Symposium
Feb. 22-25
Indian Wells, California
The waste management technical conference features research presentations and workshops on solid waste engineering and management topics.
Resource Recycling Conference, Plastics Recycling Conference and Textiles Recovery Summit
Feb. 23-25
Chula Vista, California
The three conferences will be co-located, and attendees will be able to access all three events. The Resource Recycling conference covers a range of topics related to organics, packaging, state and federal policy and more.
The Plastics Recycling Conference will cover topics such as plastics markets, EPR, PCR mandates and chemical recycling.
The Textiles Recovery Summit will cover topics such as California’s textile EPR law, technology for sorting textiles, the role of AI, and more.
Biogas Americas
May 18-21
Detroit
The American Biogas Council’s annual conference is focused on expanding the biogas industry. Events include informational panels, training and networking opportunities for stakeholders across the industry.
ReFed Food Waste Solutions Summit
May 19-21
Charlotte, North Carolina
This annual summit hosted by nonprofit ReFed brings together a range of food industry stakeholders to discuss opportunities for food waste reduction across the supply chain.
Waste Leadership Summit
June 8-10
Washington, D.C.
The new National Waste & Recycling Association conference will discuss leadership strategies, regulatory developments, workforce challenges, and industry innovations. The event will include the Waste360/Stifel Investor Summit, the NWRA Awards Gala and the EREF Charitable Auction.
Organics Recycling Conference
June 9-10
Nashville, Tennessee
The event, hosted by Waste Today, will include sessions and networking events discussing new technologies, market developments, best practices and innovations in organics diversion and recycling.
WR Expo
Aug. 12-13
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Waste Advantage is the official media partner of the WR Expo, which is making its official debut in August after a preview event in 2025. The WR Expo offers a chance for attendees to access business opportunities in the U.S., Latin America and the Caribbean. The event, co-located with The Water Expo, will also include equipment and technology exhibitors.
EHS Hazmat Summit
Sept. 29 – Oct. 1, 2026
New Orleans
The Alliance of Hazardous Materials Professionals hosts this conference, which will include workshops, technical sessions and networking for those in the environmental, health, safety, and hazardous materials management sector.
RCon
Sept. 29 – Oct. 2, 2026
St. Louis
The recently rebranded conference hosted by the Solid Waste Association of North America will bring together industry professionals for “technical learning and collaboration on solutions for the industry.” The second annual RCon will include an exhibit hall and several days of events.
Hazardous Materials Management Conference
Oct. 11-15, 2026
Nashville, Tennessee
The annual conference, hosted by the North American Hazardous Materials Management Association and now in its 41st year, explores themes like pollution prevention, product stewardship and the handling of hazardous waste.
Business of Biogas
Oct. 20-23, 2026
St. Louis
The Business of Biogas conference is hosted by the American Biogas Council, one of the industry's largest trade organizations. It brings together professionals focused on biogas production and profitability.
E-Scrap Conference
Oct. 26-28, 2026
New Orleans
The annual E-Scrap Conference hosted by Resource Recycling includes three days of learnings sessions and workshops. The conference highlights 1,200 leaders of the electronics recycling industry in attendance, and an exhibit hall that "brings together processors, ITAD insiders, material traders, equipment vendors" and more.
Paper and Plastics Recycling Conference
Oct. 28-29, 2026
Chicago
The Paper and Plastics Recycling Conference, produced by Recycling Today and supported by ReMA's Paper Stock Industries Chapter, is an event that combines recycling stakeholders across the feedstocks to discuss challenges and opportunities in the industry.
Editor’s note: GWMS and the Waste Leadership Summit are run by Informa, which owns a controlling stake in Informa TechTarget, the publisher behind Waste Dive. Informa has no influence over Waste Dive’s coverage.
