What’s working? What’s missing? What’s next?

A deep dive into how and what we’re doing to

REDUCE – REUSE – REFUSE – RECYCLE

in Glacier Country.

Join us November 2nd from 10 AM – 4 PM

Plenary Sessions – Workshops – DIY – Student Poster Session – Booths – Group Brainstorm

Register Here

Presenter Bios:

Dusti Johnson – MT Department of Environmental Quality, Recycling Program Materials Management Specialist

Environmental Science Specialist for Montana DEQ Materials Management Program. A graduate of the University of Montana; with degrees in both business and science, Dusti focuses on educating businesses and communities in waste management practices, including waste reduction, pollution prevention, sustainability practices, and complying with environmental regulations.

Dave Fischlowitz – Owner, Flathead Recon & Flathead Glass Recycling

Owner, Flathead Recon, a building deconstruction and materials salvage/reclamation business, and Flathead Glass Recycling, offering glass recycling fundraisers for non-profits. An avid advocate for materials repurposing with a Master of Arts degree in Education, Dave is continually exploring innovative ways to develop effective local recycling where materials are repurposed back into community use.

Dave Leveritt – Owner/Operator, Full Circle Montana/We Recycle Montana

Co-owner, founder. Dave launched Full Circle Recycling/We Recycle Montana in Southwest Montana over two decades ago, with inspiration coming from the amount of garbage he saw while working in Big Sky. His idea launched him into the very global world of commodities recycling, something he never imaged he would do.

Sarah Harding – Owner, Coconut At Sea Soap Company, sustainability entrepreneur

Co-owner, Coconut At Sea Soap Company. Sarah calls herself an accidental activist. Her family business makes soaps and shampoo bars, determined to reduce the amount of plastic in our world. Sarah and her family live on their tiny homemade farm in Whitefish. http://coconutatsea.com

Skye Borden – Director, Environment Montana (microplastics)

Director, Environment Montana, leading statewide campaigns to protect clean air, clean water, and open space. Over ten years’ experience as an environmental advocate and legal consultant in environmental court cases, including the multi-district BP oil spill litigation. She is also the author of Thirsty City, an award-nominated nonfiction book about water scarcity in Atlanta.

Cynthia Forsch – Program Manager, ENGIE-Impact, Global Sustainability Expert

Program Manager for ENGIE-Impact, working with Fortune 500 clients to reduce waste, increase recycling and manage wastes cost-effectively and efficiently, currently focusing on grocery, retail, senior living and food manufacturing. Previously Director of Environmental Affairs for Albertson’s, Inc., spearheading innovative recycling and waste reduction programs for the grocery industry.

Alice B Elrod DC – Doctor of Chiropractic; Community Recycling Expert

It is critical that we respect and take care of our world. I try to do my part with what I purchase, by working with Recycle Eureka, and by being the person in the checkout line who loudly proclaims that I have my own bag! I utilize that philosophy in my chiropractic practice by encouraging people to take care of themselves.

Jennifer Bernosky – Community Relations Manager, Bitterroot & Evergreen Disposal

As Community Relations Manager for Evergreen Disposal and Valley Recycling and a board member of Recycle Montana, Jen is passionate about supporting Montana communities by providing education and practical advice related to waste reduction and sustainable recycling programs. Working in the world of waste management for over 5 years, Jen is experienced navigating the complex challenges of an ever-changing recycling industry.

Kelly Ordway – Community Advocate, Refill Not Landfill

Massage therapist, yoga practitioner, and Mother of two precious daughters, Kelly is devoted to restoring balance within, to Mother Earth and all of humanity. A graduate of Pepperdine University, she has been studying holistic health for over 25 years. In 2019 Kelly spearheaded the collaborative Refill not Landfill project, a network of local water refill stations created to increase awareness, shift habits and drastically reduce plastic waste.

Krista Borgardt – Regional Sales Manager, The Glacier Collection

As Regional Sales Manager for Pursuit’s Glacier Park Collection (formerly known as Glacier Park Inc.), Krista oversees group sales for nine historic lodges and accommodations in the Whitefish and Glacier National Park areas. Part of what drew Krista to Pursuit was their “Promise to Place” mission which outlines their responsibilities to manage their impact on the environment, foster respect for people, and champion our communities.

Jeremy Drake – Community Engagement Manager, Home ReSource

Community Engagement Manager at Home ReSource, a nonprofit community sustainability center, providing a building materials reuse store, job training, education, and Zero Waste programs. Jeremy helped initiate the grassroots push that resulted in ZERO by FIFTY: Missoula’s Pathway to Zero Waste Plan, spearheading the development of zerobyfiftymissoula.com. Awarded the 2017 Climate Smart Missoula Catalyst of Change Award for his Zero Waste work and the 2018 Montana Environmental Educators Award for ZWAP!, the Zero Waste Ambassadors Program for 5th graders.

Christian Bitterauf – Founder, SustainAble and Whitefish High School mathematics teacher

Christian has a deep commitment to education and the environment, working on the Predator Project in Montana as an undergraduate. He has been in the education field for almost 18 years, and holds a Masters degree from the University of Montana. Christian teaches special education at Whitefish High School, and runs the school’s recycling program. He is currently developing a business/student partnership project focusing on comprehensive recycling and repurposing.

Patricia Johnson – Owner/Operator, Mountain Valley Foods

Patricia Johnson, owner/operator of Mountain Valley Foods, brings a lifetime of experience in the buying and retailing of bulk food, and its integral role in a community’s sustainability. Mountain Valley Foods has purveyed bulk buying options for the last 30 years. Both as a retailer and a consumer, Patricia is passionate about sharing the value of using reusable containers to purchase food, including its cost benefits and its impact on limiting food packaging waste.

Mark Nelson – Program Manager, Lake County Solid Waste

• • A third-generation Montanan, Mark has been the Program Manager for the Lake County Solid Waste District since 2000. He also currently serves as Vice President of Recycle Montana, President the Montana Recycling Association, and represents Lake County on the MT DEQ Solid Waste Advisory Council.

Dan M Leatzow, PhD, PE – Sr. Instructor, Advanced Manufacturing, Flathead Valley Community College

• • Senior Instructor in Advanced Manufacturing at Flathead Valley Community College, Dan’s focus is repurposing “single-use” plastic. A key current project is a shredder to reduce bulk plastic back into chips that can be re-worked into usable stock for a multitude of purposes. Future projects include the construction of an extruder and an injector. Dan has a Ph.D. from Washington State University and a Bachelor of Science from the University of Colorado.

Heather Love – Nurse, KRMC and personal lifestyle zero-waste expert

• • Dedicated to environmental awareness and incorporating self-sustainability for a cleaner and greener environment, Heather strives towards a minimal-waste lifestyle both at home and at work. As a nurse and member of the Kalispell Regional Medical Center Green Team, Heather advocates to reduce hospital waste in the valley. She and her husband just became parents in October of 2019. Now raising a child, they are more devoted than ever to help protect the untouched beauty of the Northwestern Montana Rockies.
    Join Heather at KRMC’s Glass Recycling Event with Flathead Recon in Columbia Falls on November 16th from 10a to 4pm. Recycle your glass and raise funds to help the Green Team’s initiative to decrease hospital waste.