Thrown Away? Creating Job Opportunities for Reentering Citizens (WasteExpo 2021)

According to the U.S. Department of Justice, more than 700,000 individuals are released from jails and prisons each year. Additionally, according to RecruitMilitary, more than 200,000 individuals transition out of the military each year. These individuals are looking to reenter the workforce as the waste and recycling industry, along with many others, faces a labor shortage. In an effort to fill open positions, waste and recycling companies are tapping into these labor pools and creating valuable partnerships and programs. This session will share success stories of reentering citizens in the industry, address what is currently being done to encourage hiring of ex-offenders and veterans and what potential opportunities and incentives there are for recruitment.

Speakers:
Abby Blocker, Vice President of State Affairs and the Sunbelt Region, NWRA
Heather Stalvey, Vice President, Human Resources and Administration, Environmental Solutions Group
Louis Reed, Senior Director, Membership and Partnerships, REFORM Alliance
Michael O'Connor, Managing Consultant, PWS Consulting Group
Nic VanderVinne, Resource Recovery and Recycling Manager, Kent County Department of Public Works