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 newly named annual conference RCon, 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.

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. 

EREF Summit on Landfill Emissions

March 4-5
Embassy Suites Brier Creek, Raleigh

This event from the Environmental Research & Education Foundation aims to gather “academics, industry professionals, and government personnel to discuss innovative approaches to measuring and modeling methane emissions at solid waste management facilities.” 

C&D World Conference & Exhibition

March 11-14
Addison, Texas

This is the Construction & Demolition Recycling Association’s annual conference. It brings together stakeholders in the C&D recycling industry to discuss trends and explore emerging technologies

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.

Resource Recycling Conference

August 4-6
Hilton Denver, Denver

This conference brings together leaders from the public and private sector to discuss recycling trends across the value chain from feedstocks to end markets. 

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.”

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.

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. 

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. 

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.

Disclosure: WasteExpo is run by Informa, the owner of Waste Dive’s publisher, Industry Dive. Informa has no influence over Waste Dive’s coverage.