MEDIA RELEASE
Date:
28 October 2013
Attention: Assignment editors; reporters following municipal government, universities, innovation, energy,
waste management
Subject: International energy symposium comes to Toronto
Toronto – An international gathering of scientists, researchers, and industry experts will be meeting in
Toronto on Thursday October 31, 2013 to discuss the opportunities and challenges created by state-ofthe-art energy recovery (or energy-from-waste) technology.
With municipalities and industries across the country searching for ways to manage waste, generate
affordable energy, and create new revenue streams, energy recovery from waste (or energy-from-waste)
presents a highly promising pathway.
“This symposium adds an important element to the discussion of sustainable energy,” says WISE’s
Tracey Forrest. “Advancements in energy recovery through rigorous evidence-based science are critical
if we are to realize the full potential of waste as a resource in a sustainable energy future.”
The Energy Recovery Symposium is being hosted in partnership with the University of Waterloo,
Columbia University of New York, the Waterloo Institute for Sustainable Energy (WISE), the Canadian
Plastics Industry Association (CPIA), the Canadian Energy-From-Waste Coalition (CEFWC), and the
Ontario Environmental Industries Association (ONEIA).
“What makes this event unique is the scientific perspective,” says Rick Brandes, formerly of the US
Environmental Protection Agency, and speaking at the Symposium on the role of energy recovery in the
current and future structure of energy sources and waste management. “With a focus on the academic
and scientific perspective – on policy, not commerce - this is the ideal forum for gaining clear insight into
the potential for energy recovery and energy-from-waste.”
Expert speakers from around the world will present their findings related to human health and risk
assessments, energy production and efficiency, public opinion polling, and policy development in the US
and Europe.
“This is a tremendous opportunity for cross border collaboration,” says Professor Nickolas Themelis of
Columbia University’s Earth Engineering Centre. “We’re thrilled to see Canadian universities embrace
the potential for energy recovery from materials that are currently landfilled.”
With the city of Toronto currently reviewing its long-term waste management plans, this is the ideal
opportunity to learn what the latest technologies can do. Durham Region is currently building a new
energy-from-waste plant that will come on-line in late 2014. Both Peel Region and Metro Vancouver are
actively investigating the potential of the technology to service their long-term needs.
- 30 –
Media Contact: John Foden, PresterJohn Public Affairs; 416-763-0815; jpfoden@presterjohn.ca
Symposium on the Future of
Energy Recovery from Wastes
October 31, 2013
Eaton Chelsea Hotel
33 Gerard Street West, Toronto
Brought to you in partnership by:
University of Waterloo
Columbia University
Canadian Energy-From-Waste Coalition
Canadian Plastics Industry Association
Ontario Environmental Industries Association
Here’s something you don’t see every day - a unique opportunity to learn about energy recovery (ER) from an
entirely different perspective.
Featuring impartial industry experts and academic researchers in a highly interactive forum, this unique, one-day
symposium will present current findings on energy recovery within a broad waste management context with a
focus on the issues of most concern to decision-makers and stakeholders. Participants will gain insights into
knowledge gaps, policy options, and pathways to connect ideas with investment.

Marco Castaldi of the City College of New York has been studying ER issues for 20 years and will bring his
research and insight to bear with a look at the evolution of ER technologies and the state of available
equipment. He may also offer a few prognostications about what the future holds.

Sarah Foster, an internationally recognized environmental health sciences consultant, will highlight the
surprising results of an extensive study of environmental and human health and risk assessments. This is the
first time such a comprehensive literature review has been presented in eastern Canada.

Jason Chee-Aloy is one of Canada leading energy analysts with a unique perspective on the energy half of the
energy-from-waste debate. This will be an essential discussion for those interested in a power procurement, a
standard offer programs, or the design of a feed-in tariff.

Greg Lyle, one of Canada’s pre-eminent pollsters and communicators, will dissect public attitudes on energy
and waste issues, ascertain critical points of convergence, and explain how it’s possible to build political
support for controversial policies with growing public acceptance.

Rick Brandes spent many years at the sharp point of the approvals process with the US EPA, and he’ll share his
insights into what it takes to convert good science into responsible and responsive policy.

Bettina Kamuk of Ramboll Engineering in Denmark, has advised clients on scores of ER projects. She’ll outline
the planning guidelines that have satisfied the needs of municipalities and regulators.
Who should attend?
Government officials will better understand how progressive ER policies can drive sustainability goals, enhance
waste diversion strategies, help manage waste streams in 4R and stewardship programs, and contribute to a more
robust energy supply.
Municipal representatives will learn about the technologies available to recover resources and energy from postrecycled wastes, how and why planning and investment decisions have been made in other jurisdictions, and what
questions to ask going forward.
Academic researchers will ascertain where current research is focused, what issues still require attention, and
which stakeholders may be looking to collaborate in research projects to advance the state-of-the-art on those
issues.
Private sector business managers will gain insight into future investment decisions and better understand how
government, academics, and private business can work collaboratively to create a sustainable and robust future
for ER.
Following this symposium, participants will understand the potential role of ER as both a power source and a waste
solution, as well as the challenges of implementing such technologies.
A key goal of the symposium is to develop working groups that can continue to discuss and develop collaborations
on research issues (technical, economic, and policy) to advance the knowledge-base in this field for a Canadian
context.
Symposium on the Future of
Energy Recovery from Wastes
October 31, 2013
Eaton Chelsea Hotel
33 Gerard Street West, Toronto
MEETING AGENDA
8:45
Welcome and Opening Remarks
Tracey Forrest
Director
Waterloo Institute for Sustainable Energy
(wise.uwaterloo.ca)
8:55
Introductions and Ground Rules
John Foden
President & CEO
PresterJohn Public Affairs
(www.presterjohn.ca)
9:00
An Academic Review of Energy Recovery Applications
Marco Castaldi
Associate Professor, Chemical Engineering
City College of New York
(www.cclabs.org)
(www.seas.columbia.edu/earth/wtert/)
A leading ER academic researcher will discuss the state of available
technologies, the emergence of new and/or hybrid processes, and the costs
and benefits of both.
9:40
Just How Safe Is Energy Recovery?
With the results of an extensive literature review in-hand, this presentation
will consider ER in the context of human health and risk assessment studies.
10:20
Networking Break
10:40
Energy Recovery as an Energy Source
This session will highlight the practical benefits of ER as an increasingly
important means of energy production, how ER will fit into long-term energy
planning, and outline what can be expected from the next generation of
equipment.
11:20
Public Opinion Polling and Stakeholders Communications
This head of Canada’s finest research agency will discuss public attitudes
towards ER, and highlight ways to build political support for “controversial”
policies with growing public acceptance.
12:00
Lunch
12:40
Domestic and International Review
Representatives from Europe and the US will discuss policy and political
developments in their respective jurisdictions; explain why the industry
continues to grow in the most progressive regions; and ascertain what these
diverse policy regimes have to say about the challenges and opportunities
presented by the enhanced utilization of ER technologies.
Sarah Foster
CPF Associates
Health + Environmental Risk Consultants
Bethesda,Maryland
(www.cpfassociates.com)
Jason Chee-Aloy
Power Advisory LLC
Toronto, Ontario
(www.poweradvisoryllc.com)
Greg Lyle
Principal
Innovative Research Group
Toronto, Ontario
(www.innovativeresearch.com)
Bettina Kamuk
Ramboll Engineering
Copenhagen, Denmark
Rick Brandes
US Environmental Protection Agency (Retired)
Washington, DC
1:20
A Canadian Review of Energy Recovery Technologies
A review of past Canadian initiatives on ER research and international
collaborations leading to the development of current national emissions
guidelines and regulatory practices. In addition, the panelist will provide
technical overview of existing and emerging ER technologies.
200
Steve Sawell
Research Associate
University of Waterloo
Networking Break
2:20
The Need For Waste Innovation In Canada
Is there a role for advanced and innovative waste management in Canada?
Several national R&D ‘capacity-building’ options will be discussed including
the development of an independent Canadian “institute.”
2:40
A To Do List: Creating An Energy Recovery Action Plan
In a highly interactive panel discussion of prominent researchers/visionaries
will deliberate on the future of ER utilization and identify the research gaps
that inhibit the adoption of advanced ER technologies that could help build
and sustain a strong ER industry to serve Canada’s municipal and industrial
waste needs.
With total audience engagement, this panel will guide a discussion to create
a framework for building an ER action plan.
Tracey Forrest
Director
Waterloo Institute for Sustainable Energy
(wise.uwaterloo.ca)
Bill Anderson
Professor
Department of Chemical Engineering
University of Waterloo
Ed McBean
Professor and A/Dean
College of Physical and Engineering Science
University of Guelph
Marco Castaldi
Associate Professor, Chemical Engineering
City College of New York
(www.cclabs.org)
(www.seas.columbia.edu/earth/wtert/)
4:15
Closing Remarks and Next Steps