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Kansas Waste Reduction Conference
May 5-7, 2026
Hilton Garden Inn Manhattan
The Kansas Waste Reduction Conference (formerly WORKS) is a premier meeting with attendees and leaders in recycling and waste management.
Sleeping rooms are available at the Hilton Garden Inn at a rate of $118 please click here to make a reservation.
Agenda:
*please note this agenda is subject to change
Tuesday, May 5
7:30 a.m. Registration
8:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. HHW Training and Certification, Lindsay Holmes, Barton County Community College
12:00 p.m. Lunch on your own
3:00-4:00 p.m. Roundtable Discussion
\Wednesday, May 6
9:00 a.m. Registration
10:00 – 11:00 a.m. General Sessions
Welcome, Manhattan Mayor Susan Adamchak
KOR Welcome, Shay Hanysak, KOR President
Update from KDHE, Jeff Walker, KDHE, Bureau of Waste Management
KDHE Grants, Jessica Ruiz and Nicole Koopman, KDHE, Bureau of Waste Management
11:00 – 11:15 a.m. Break
11:15 -12:15 p.m. General Sessions
Fredericktown Missouri Lithium Battery Fire, Brendan Martin, EPA Representative
Speaker TBA
12:15-1:00 p.m. Lunch with Exhibitors
1:00-2:00 p.m.
Recycling Market Updates:
Ashton Conner, Midland Davis
Franklin Rosario, Ripple Glass
Composting Breakout:
Harnessing the inputs and outputs of composting for community success: How composting is a win from both the collection side and the production side, Stan Slaughter
2:00-2:30 p.m. Break with Exhibitors
2:30-4:00 p.m.
Recycling Breakouts:
Bicycle Recycling Programs
Shay Hanysak, Lake Region Solid Waste Authority
Grant Tarr, City of Olathe
Lakemary E-Waste Recycling
Skyler Stevens
ReUseIt Salina
Phil Black
CompostingBreakouts:
How new science is remaking composting and soil health: An exploration of the many new ways we’re building organic matter and soil health, Stan Slaughter
DeAnn Presley, KSU
5:00-6:30 p.m. Reception
Thursday, May 7
8:00 a.m. Registration and Breakfast with Exhibitors
9:00-10:00 a.m General Session
World Cup Sustainability and Mattress Recycling, Scott Wagner, Bridging the Gap
10:00-10:30 a.m. Break with Exhibitors
10:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. General Session
Social Media Panel
Bill Sutton, Shawnee County
Michael W. Leos, Lawrence
Eric Kirsch, Sheriff, Wabaunsee County Kansas
11:30-12:30 p.m. Lunch with Exhibitors
12:30-1:30 p.m.
Recycling Breakouts:
Challenges for Recycling in Kansas, Ashton Conner, Midland Davis
Community Engagement for Improving Recycling, Michelle DeHaven, Wichita State University
Composting Breakouts:
Karen Ramsey, KC Can Compost
City of Lawrence Commercial Drop-off Program, Megan Withiam, City of Lawrence
1:30-2:30 p.m. Break with Exhibitors
2:30-3:30 p.m.
Recycling Roundtable
Composting Roundtable
3:30 p.m. Adjourn
SPONSORSHIP AND EXHIBIT OPPORTUNITIES
Thank you to our 2026 Sponsors and Exhibitors:
