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UID:171@midwestawma.org
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260520T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260520T133000
DTSTAMP:20260430T151804Z
URL:https://midwestawma.org/events/may-2026-meeting/
SUMMARY:From Policy to Pavement: Operational Realities of Waste Management 
 in a Regulated World - May 2026 Meeting
DESCRIPTION: From Policy to Pavement: Operational Realities of Waste Manag
 ement in a Regulated World\n12:00pm CT - Presentation via Zoom\n\nLogin in
 formation will be sent to participants 1 day prior to the event.\n\nSummar
 y\nWell-intentioned waste and recycling policies often fail at the point o
 f execution\, where operational constraints collide with regulatory expect
 ations. This presentation examines the disconnect between waste regulation
 s and real-world system performance\, drawing on firsthand experience acro
 ss municipal\, multifamily\, and commercial operations. Key challenges inc
 lude unfunded mandates\, labor shortages\, route inefficiencies\, and pers
 istent data gaps in diversion and contamination reporting. Through applied
  case examples\, the session will highlight how operators adapt\, often in
 formally\, to maintain service continuity and compliance despite misaligne
 d policy frameworks. The presentation also explores how local and state po
 licy design can unintentionally introduce operational inefficiencies\, inc
 rease costs\, and reduce material recovery outcomes. Attendees will gain p
 ractical insight into how agencies and regulators can improve policy effec
 tiveness by incorporating operational data\, workforce realities\, and per
 formance-based metrics into program design\, closing the gap between regul
 atory intent and on-the-ground results.\nSpeakers:\n\nLainika E. Johnson\n
 \nLainika E. Johnson is the Founder &amp\; CEO of Eco in the City. Known a
 s America's leading waste reduction and staffing expert\, she helps cities
 \, property managers\, and local businesses turn everyday waste challenges
  into practical and profitable sustainability solutions powered by data. W
 ith nearly two decades of experience including her launchpad at Republic S
 ervices and rising to senior executive at another California-based waste c
 ompany\, Lainika has set her own mark having previously onboarded nearly 2
 00 multifamily communities in less than a year through her growing enterpr
 ise. Her impressive repertoire of work bridges community\, technology and 
 policy with credentials from Harvard Business School and UCLA\, to name a 
 few. Lainika’s sought-after insight has been recognized in major outlets
  like Black Enterprise and Black News and local outlets including ATL Live
 \, Arizona’s ABC-15\, Sacramento’s NBC KCRA-TV and Waste &amp\; Recycl
 ing Magazine.\n\n\n\nPlease select only one Ticket Type.  If you need to 
 register more than one person\, register each separately.\n\n&nbsp\;
CATEGORIES:Monthly Meetings
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