Using AI-powered Waste Auditing to Improve Sorting at School, 05/2026

Join the NCRA Zero Waste Schools Committee to explore AI-driven insights designed to enhance waste diversion and motivate increased action toward SB1383 compliance at your schools.

Hosted by Northern California Recycling Association.

Speakers include:

  • Joshua Mastromatto, Rego Co-founder, CEO | TRUE Advisor
  • Nancy Deming, Sustainability Manager K-12, Custodial and Nutrition Services Oakland Unified School District
  • Amanda Halte, RecycleSmart Sustainability Specialist, Middle & High Schools

Data helps measure what matters: Simplify waste data collection to help quantify what’s working or not working more quickly and accurately.

Engage the whole school: Involving students and educators in understanding the data fosters ownership and long-term impact.

Free RSVP

Get the Latest on Federal & State Zero Food Waste Legislation, 06/2026

Zero Food Waste Forum Webinar
Friday, June 12th • 1 to 2 pm

Get the Latest on Federal & State Zero Food Waste Legislation

NCRA is a member of the Zero Food Waste
Coalition, a national effort to inform and
influence U.S. food waste policy at the federal,
state, and local levels with the goal of reducing
food waste by 50% by 2030.

Members include the Harvard Food Law &
Policy Clinic, National Resources Defense
Council, World Wildlife Fund, ReFED and many
state and local organizations working on these
issues.

FREE registration

From Tailgate to Table, 4/26

View the Recording

From Tailgate to Table: Food Recovery from the Recent Super Bowl Tailgates – Join our Zero Food Waste Committee for its next webinar happening on Friday, April 10, from 1-2 pm.

Panelists:
Regina Harmon, CEO, Food Recovery Network
Erin Price, Director of Stakeholder Engagement, Food Recovery Network

Free event and open to everyone! Register via https://lnkd.in/ggP5vepk

This webinar is co-hosted by Zero Waste USA, California Resource Recovery Association, and Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA) Goldrush Chapter

DEI Salon: Equitable Collaboration and Community Engagement!

Video Recording

Andrea Deleon at the City of San Diego will be part of the conversation on environmental equity, community leadership, and why frontline voices must guide climate solutions.

Join us for a discussion on how climate change and environmental policies disproportionately affect BIPOC and/or low-income communities, and why it is important to engage and involve those communities in creating and shaping programs as we work together towards a Zero Waste future.

Featured Speakers:
Mike Lok – Field Director with AAPIs for Civic Empowerment Education Fund (AAPI FORCE-EF)

Andrea Deleon – Deputy Director of Environmental Services Department, Waste Reduction Division at the City of San Diego

The 30th Annual Recycling Update Call for Speakers is now live!

The 30th Annual Recycling Update Call for Speakers is now live!

How to Apply: Submit your proposal by COBD – Monday, December 5, 2025.

Apply here!

For additional questions, feel free to contact the office.

The Northern California Recycling Association (NCRA) is seeking dynamic speakers for its annual Recycling Update (RU), our fast-paced, high-energy event that showcases what’s new and innovative in the world of waste reduction and Zero Waste. We welcome proposals from those who haven’t yet presented at RU, as well as from experienced speakers eager to share their cutting-edge ideas and insights.

With over 500 attendees, including local government recycling staff, policy makers, consultants, haulers, and processors from across Northern California, RU is an ideal platform to showcase your work in front of a highly engaged audience. This is your chance to highlight the latest programs, policies, and projects shaping the future of our industry.

Presentation Format:

Each speaker is allotted 10 minutes for their presentation, followed by a 2-minute Q&A session.

The event features a single-track format, ensuring that all attendees hear your presentation—no breakouts, no missed opportunities.

Timeliness is crucial. Speakers must be well-prepared and adhere to their time limits.

Key Focus Areas: We encourage proposals that reflect NCRA’s commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, incorporating these values in both the content and design of presentations. Additionally, the selection committee is especially interested in presentations that explore reuse, repair, state and local policies, edible food recovery programs/ enforcement, extender producer responsibility, and recycling markets.