June 6: The most recent update to this list is the cancellation of the Resource Recycling Conference originally planned for Aug. 4-6. This event will now be co-located with the Plastics Recycling and Textile Recovery Conference, happening Feb. 23–25, 2026 at the Gaylord Pacific Resort & Convention Center in San Diego.

What sort of waste and recycling topics can you learn more about in 2025? The industry is navigating a variety of challenges and opportunities, from PFAS and EPR to waste collection technology and disposal capacity. Industry organizations are planning a plethora of in-person events for the summer and fall of 2025 to discuss many of those trends.

A variety of upcoming conferences are meant to attract targeted audiences, such as those in organic waste disposal, electronic waste solutions, recycling technology and more.

Here are some of the notable waste management conferences planned for the rest of the year. Our list includes most major national or regional events, and we’ll plan to update details on the events we’ve confirmed as they become available. 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 2025

ReFED Food Waste Solutions Summit

June 23-25
Hyatt Regency Seattle, Seattle

This summit brings together stakeholders from across the food supply chain to discuss solutions to food waste, including opportunities for composting and anaerobic digestion. The summit is organized by nonprofit ReFED.

CANCELED: Resource Recycling Conference

August 4-6
Hilton Denver, Denver

This conference has been canceled and rescheduled to be co-located with the the Plastics Recycling and Textile Recovery Conference. That conference will be held Feb. 23–25, 2026 at the Gaylord Pacific Resort & Convention Center in San Diego. The Resource Recycling conference brings together leaders from the public and private sector to discuss recycling trends across the value chain from feedstocks to end markets. 

Deconstruction + Reuse Conference 2025

Aug. 4-6
The Landmark Center, Saint Paul, Minnesota

This conference is hosted annually by the nonprofit Build Reuse, which promotes the recovery, reuse, and recycling of building materials. This year's event is themed: "Bridging the Reuse Gap: From Promise to Practice."

BPI Summit

Sept. 16-18
Loudermilk Conference Center, Atlanta, Georgia

The Biodegradable Products Institute aims to convene attendees involved in zero waste programs, collection and hauling, composting operations, product and material development and policy to discuss ideas for organics waste diversion, including for compostable products and packaging. 

Paper & Plastics Recycling Conference

Oct. 15-16
Hyatt Regency, Chicago

Supported by ReMA and organized by Recycling Today, this conference is the longest-running in its industry. Expect discussions of EPR, MRFs, commodity markets and more.

Business of Biogas

Oct. 21-23
Four Seasons Hotel, St. Louis, Missouri

This American Biogas Council event is marketed for project developers and investors interested in best practices for both biogas production and profitability. 

E-Scrap Conference

Oct. 27-29
Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center, Grapevine, Texas

The E-Scrap Conference, produced by Resource Recycling, features events and discussion of the electronics recycling industry. Prior iterations have included speakers from private companies and regulators.

RCon

Nov. 12-15
Columbus, Ohio

This conference, combined the events previously known as Wastecon and SOAR, is the Solid Waste Association of North America’s premier gathering. SWANA said the new event “will focus on advancing the understanding of waste as a resource, and it will be the go-to platform for cutting-edge discussions, technologies, and practices.” The U.S. Plastics Pact will co-locate its Activator Action Summit at RCon this year. The summit aims to discuss challenges and barriers to plastics circularity.

Corporate Growth Conference

Nov. 12-13
Fairmont Chicago Millenium Park, Chicago

This conference, produced by Waste Today events, takes a look at the business landscape within the environmental services sector. Discussions typically cover both prospective sources of capital and potential growth opportunities for investors.