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 2025 to discuss may of those trends.
So far, Waste Dive is tracking events with a broad scope, like WasteExpo and SWANA’s annual conference, which attract large audiences with their wide range of topics. But there are a variety of targeted events also planned for 2025, including those covering organic waste disposal, electronic waste solutions, recycling technology and more.
Here are some of the notable waste management conferences planned for 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
Compost 2024
Jan. 27-30
Phoenix Convention Center, Phoenix
This long-running organics event is organized by the industry group U.S. Composting Council. The theme for this event is “Thirsty for Solutions,” and will feature discussions of food waste, compost technology and product marketing, as well as a tour of multiple Arizona facilities.
Plastics Recycling Conference
March 24–26
Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center, National Harbor, Maryland
This conference hosted by the Association of Plastics Recyclers features discussions on the markets and policies affecting a variety of materials, including post-consumer resin, film and other products.
Biogas Americas
April 27-30
Colorado Convention Center, Denver
Industry group American Biogas Council organizes this conference, which it touts as the largest in North America. The event has previously featured events on policy, feedstocks and technologies like anaerobic digestion.
WasteExpo
May 6-8
Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas
This annual event is attended by more than 14,000 people, making it one of the industry’s largest. It’s organized by the National Waste & Recycling Association and Waste360 and features co-located events on a range of topics, including investment trends, organics recycling and healthcare waste.
ReMA2025 Convention & Exposition
San Diego Convention Center, San Diego
May 12-15
The annual convention for the Recycled Material Association, formerly the Institute for Scrap Recycling Industries, brings together scrap recyclers managing a variety of commodities to discuss global economic, policy and technology trends.
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.
Battery and Critical Metals Recycling Conference
Date TBD
Location TBD
Supported by ReMA and organized by Recycling Today, this conference grapples with critical minerals, disposal hazards, recyclability and other relevant issues for the sector.
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.
SWANA Conference
Nov. 12-15
Columbus, Ohio
This conference, previously known as Wastecon, is the Solid Waste Association of North America’s premier event. It features educational events on a range of technical topics related to the waste and recycling industries.
Business of Biogas
Date TBD
Location TBD
This American Biogas Council event is marketed for project developers and investors interested in best practices for both biogas production and profitability.
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.
Resource Recycling
Date TBD
Location TBD
This conference brings together leaders from the public and private sector to discuss recycling trends across the value chain from feedstocks to end markets.
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.
Disclosure: WasteExpo is run by Informa, the owner of Waste Dive’s publisher, Industry Dive. Informa has no influence over Waste Dive’s coverage.