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Conference Schedule
2025 SCWMF Scholarship Program

The Southern California Waste Management Forum (SCWMF) scholarship program is funded by donations from longtime Directors Michael Mohajer. The scholarship program is for college students that have an interest in the organization’s fundamental objective to advancing knowledge of the interrelationship between waste management practices and the environment. This year’s conference will be held at the Double Tree Hilton, Ontario Airport, Wednesday, November 19th, 2025, from 8am to 3 pm.
The scholarship is for full attendance of the 2025 SCWMF Annual Conference and a one- year annual membership. A $325.00 value. The scholarship will be awarded to three (3) eligible students. The SCWMF believes that tomorrow’s thinkers and innovators will solve and tackle pressing issues regarding the conservation of our environment. These future leaders have the potential to create greener living standards, an environmentally sound economy, and a measure of sustainability in all that they do. 
For more information contact Cynthia Vant Hul @ cynthia@mariposaecoconsulting.com

​The three awardees will be notified by email with registration instructions by Friday,
October 28th, 2025

2025 SCWMF Scholarship Application

Conference Schedule

Registration:  8:00 8:45

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Welcome:  9:00am – 9:10am

Susanne Passantino, Republic Services & Phil Mainolfi, HF&H Consultants

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Keynote Speaker:  9:10am – 9:30am

Zoe Heller, CalRecycle 

 

Session 1 | SB 1383 Lessons Learned
9:30am - 10:30am

Moderator – Eric Zetz, Ventura Regional Sanitation District

  • Ashley Yee, CalRecycle

  • Jenna Dotson, Republic Services - Route Reviews

  • Avecita Jones, City of Carlsbad - Route Reviews

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Break 10:30 – 10:45

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Session 2 | Panelist/Topic SB 54
10:45am – 12:15am

Moderator - John Davis, Mojave Desert and Mountain Recycling Authority

  • Heidi Sanborn, National Stewardship Action Council: Overview and update on SB 54 with a possible national perspective (including developments in other states).

  • Phil Mainolfi, HF&H Consultants - SB 54 Needs Assessment

  • Arisha Ashraf, MSW Consultants - PRO/Reimbursement Methodology/Baseline Costs

  • Mike Caprio, Republic Services - Perspective from Recycling Service Providers 

 

Lunch ~ 12:15am – 1:15pm – Kahoots Q&A Audience Interaction Fun

 

Session 3 | Disposal Capacity Planning
1:15pm – 2:45pm

Moderator – David Davis, MSW

  • Chris Sheppard, L.A. County Public Works – Disposal Capacity Planning for a Changing Landscape in the SoCal Region

  • Tom Koutroulis, Orange County Waste & Recycling - Topic TBA
     

Break 2:45 – 3:00
 

Session 4 | Technology to Increase Diversion, Minimize Contamination & Prevent Fires
3:00pm – 4:00pm

Moderator – Bernadette Halverson, City of Los Angeles RFP 

  • Nick Balachandran, Zabble - AI

  • Everest Labs - AI

  • Felix Hottenstein, Sales Director at CP/MMS

    Wrap Up/Raffle

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