2026 Topics Include:

• Circular Solutions in Practice: community swap stations, repair cafés, fabric upcycling, edible surplus recovery, zero-waste festivals, and social enterprise pathways for underrepresented groups
• Local Wins & Case Studies: neighborhood outreach, peer-to-peer training, nonprofit-driven pilots, municipal–community partnerships, and targeted investments that scale grassroots initiatives
• Financing Pathways: public and municipal grants, philanthropic support, blended funding models, and creative incentive structures
• Policy & Governance: producer responsibility laws, bans on single-use plastics, right-to-reuse efforts, decision-making processes, city council leadership, and navigating regulatory frameworks
• Shifting Mindsets: reducing overconsumption, promoting durability, behavior-change campaigns, influencer and media narratives, and youth-led advocacy
• Global Collaboration: cross-border partnerships, knowledge exchange networks, and aligning with international sustainability movements
• Planetary & Climate Connections: plastic leakage, ocean waste, soil and water contamination, and emissions reductions through waste prevention
• Tracking & Economic Value: indicators for diversion and reuse, job creation, circular business models, and strengthening access to domestic and international recycling markets
• Next-Gen Tools & Systems: machine learning for waste streams, harmonized data frameworks, material tracking innovations, and integrative circular economy strategies

Photo Credit (Microphone on Stage) Kane Reinholdtsen on Unsplash