Waste and Materials Management Study Group
The Waste and Materials Management Study Group is a stakeholder working group formed in 2016 by the DNR's Waste and Materials Management Program. The group serves as a forum for the program to receive input from, and provide information to, stakeholder organizations. The study group provides the Waste and Materials Management Program with constructive feedback on policy and technical issues and works collaboratively with DNR staff to find workable solutions.
The study group identifies issues and topics of interest that can be addressed by ad hoc subgroups. Subgroup members are expected to research and develop recommendations on the selected topics for presentation to the full group.
The study group meets quarterly or semi-annually, with additional subgroup meetings scheduled as needed. Meetings are open to the public.
Study Group and Subgroup Members and Meetings
Study Group
Study Group Members
Waste and Materials Management Study Group members are appointed by the DNR secretary.
- Tim Curry, GFL Environmental
- Chad Doverspike, Brown County (representing Solid Waste Association of North America, Wisconsin Badger Chapter)
- Brian Kalvelage, representing the Wisconsin Utilities Association
- Tom Karwoski, SCS Engineers
- Julie Ketchum, WM
- Brandon Knudtson, Hilltopper Refuse and Recycling Service, Inc. (representing Associated Recyclers of Wisconsin)
- Rob Michitsch, representing the Universities of Wisconsin
- Paul Mathewson, Clean Wisconsin
- David Pellitteri, National Waste and Recycling Association
- Jerod Reuter, Purple Cow Organics (representing compost operators)
- Bart Sexton, Sand County Environmental
- John Welch, Dane County (representing Wisconsin Counties Solid Waste Management Association)
Meetings
Note: all documents referenced in notes are not clickable within the documents, but are available through the links below.
| Date & Time | Location | Information |
|---|---|---|
| Aug. 7, 2025 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. | Teams meeting | |
| May 1, 2025 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. | Teams meeting | |
| Feb. 6, 2025 9 - 11:30 a.m. | Teams meeting | |
| Nov. 7, 2024 9 - 11:30 a.m. | Teams meeting | |
| Aug. 1, 2024 9 - 11:30 a.m. | Teams meeting | |
| May 2, 2024 9 - 11 a.m. | Teams meeting | |
| Feb. 1, 2024 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. | Teams meeting | |
| Nov. 2, 2023 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. | Zoom meeting/GEF2 in Madison | |
| Aug. 3, 2023 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. | Zoom meeting | |
| May 4, 2023 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. | Zoom meeting | |
| Feb. 2, 2023 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. | Zoom meeting | |
| Nov. 3, 2022 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. | Zoom meeting | |
| Aug. 4, 2022 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. | Zoom meeting | |
| May 5, 2022 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. | Zoom meeting | |
| Feb. 3, 2022 9:30 a.m. - 12 p.m. | Zoom meeting | |
| Dec. 2, 2021 9:30 a.m. - 12 p.m. | Zoom meeting | |
Oct. 7, 2021 Solid Waste Interested Parties meeting to follow (1:30 to 3:30 p.m.) | Zoom meeting | |
| Aug. 5, 2021 9:30 a.m. - 12 p.m. | Zoom meeting | |
| June 3, 2021 9:30 a.m. - 12 p.m. | Zoom meeting | |
| April 1, 2021 9:30 a.m. - 12 p.m. | Zoom meeting | |
| Feb. 4, 2021 9:30 a.m. - 12 p.m. | Zoom meeting | |
| Dec. 3, 2020 9:30 a.m. - 12 p.m. | Skype meeting | |
| Oct. 1, 2020 9:30 a.m. - 12 p.m. | Skype meeting | |
| August 6, 2020 9:30 - 11:30 a.m. | Skype meeting | |
| June 5, 2020 9:30 - 11:30 a.m. | Skype meeting | |
| April 9, 2020 9:30 - 11:30 a.m. | Skype meeting | |
| Feb. 6, 2020 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. | Wisconsin Rural Water Association | |
| Dec. 6, 2019 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. | Appleton Public Library | |
| Oct. 4, 2019 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. | DNR Fitchburg Service Center | |
| August 2, 2019 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. | DNR Fitchburg Service Center | |
| June 7, 2019 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. | Main Portage County Library Stevens Point, WI | |
| April 5, 2019 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. | Appleton Public Library | |
| Dec. 7, 2018 9 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. | DNR Central Office | |
| Oct. 2, 2018 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. | Marathon County Public Library | |
| August 10, 2018 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. | DNR Fitchburg Service Center | |
| June 27, 2018 12:30 - 3:30 p.m. | Main Portage County Library | |
| April 13, 2018 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. | DNR Fitchburg Service Center | |
| Oct. 10, 2017 1-4 p.m. | Main Portage County Library | |
| Aug. 16, 2017 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. | DNR Fitchburg Service Center | |
| June 6, 2017 1-4 p.m. | DNR Fitchburg Service Center | |
| April 6, 2017 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. | Schmeeckle Reserve Visitor Center | |
| Feb. 16, 2017 1-4 p.m. | DNR Fitchburg Service Center | |
| Dec. 7, 2016 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. | DNR Fitchburg Service Center | |
| Oct. 26, 2016 1-4 p.m. | Portage County Courthouse Annex | |
| Aug. 9, 2016 12:30-3:30 p.m. | DNR Fitchburg Service Center |
|
| June 23, 2016 12:30-3:30 p.m. | DNR Fitchburg Service Center | |
| April 14, 2016 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. | Portage County Library | |
| Feb. 15, 2016 1-3 p.m. | DNR Fitchburg Service Center |
Recovery & diversion subgroup
The subgroup will evaluate the modern landscape of waste recovery and diversion as compared to the original intent of recycling laws and landfill bans. Focus areas include:
- standard definitions for the various terms associated with recycling, waste reduction, diversion and beneficial use;
- effectiveness, challenges and opportunities of diversion of additional materials from landfills;
- contaminants/problematic items in the recycling stream and how to address the issue;
- funding mechanisms and processes; and
- 21st century framework for evaluating success of waste recovery and diversion programs.
Subgroup members
*Subgroup member is also a WMM Study Group member
- Chris Blan, Brown County
- Amanda Haffele, Portage County
- Megen Hines, Menomonie
- Meleesa Johnson*, Marathon County
- Amber Meyer Smith, Clean Wisconsin
- Lynn Morgan*, Waste Management
- Jennifer Semrau, DNR
- Karin Sieg, Recycling Connections Corp/Associated Recyclers of Wisconsin
Meetings
| Date & Time | Location |
|---|---|
| Oct. 20, 2021 12:30 - 3 p.m. | Zoom/conference call |
| July 20, 2021 1 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. | Zoom/conference call |
| May 18, 2021 9:30 a.m. - 12 p.m. | Zoom/conference call |
| Jan. 28, 2021 12:30 - 2:30 p.m. | Zoom/conference call |
| Dec. 2, 2020 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. | Zoom/conference call |
| Sept. 18, 2020 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. | Zoom/conference call |
| March 12, 2020 1 - 2:30 p.m. | Portage County Public Library |
| Jan. 17, 2020 1 - 2:30 p.m. | Portage County Public Library |
| Nov. 14, 2019 9 - 10 a.m. | Conference call |
| Oct. 9, 2019 1 - 2:30 p.m. | Portage County Public Library |