Events & Conferences

Upcoming Symposium

Reducing Marine Debris at the Source: Finding Alternatives to Single-Use Plastic

A Research-to-Application Symposium

This two-day, “Research-to-Application” symposium aims to bridge the gap between academic innovation, industry needs, and policy interventions to move sustainable prototypes and reuse systems towards broader applications.

Symposium Details

• Dates: September 21 – 22, 2026
• Location: Wells Conference Center, University of Maine, 131 Munson Rd, Orono, ME 04469
• Starting: Monday, Sept 21 at 9:00 AM

Register using the QR code below or Register here

Registration deadline is August 28, 2026

Registration fee

• Non-Affiliated Registration:
  • Industry Professionals & External Participants ($200): For attendees outside of the University of Maine system.
  • Students: Registration is free ($0)
• Affiliated Registration: Registration is free ($0)
  • NOAA Maine Sea Grant Marine Debris Affiliated Members, Partners, Speakers, and Panelists 
  • University of Maine Faculty & Students

Agenda

Day 1: Monday, September 21 (09:00 AM – 05:00 PM)

Focus: Materials Research, New Product Development, and Consumer Engagement.

• 09:00 AM: Opening Reception & Informal Networking (Refreshments provided)
• 09:15 AM: Keynote Address by Dan Martens (North American VP, Novamont)
• 10:15 AM: Session 1 – Materials Research & New Product Development 
  • Guest Speaker: Dr. Ramani Narayan (Michigan State University)  
  • NOAA Sea Grant Marine Debris research presentations           
• 11:15 AM: Networking Break
• 11:30 AM: Panel 1 – Addressing technical hurdles with academic-industry partnership
  • Panelists: Dr. Barbara Reck (Yale University), Dr. Preeti Tyagi (Mars Wrigley), Dr. Ramani Narayan (Michigan State University), and Dr. Colleen Walker (University of Maine)
• 12:30 PM: Networking Lunch (Lunch provided)
• 01:30 PM: Session 2 – Consumer Engagement & The Reuse Economy 
  • Guest Speaker:  Sydney Harris (Upstream)
  • NOAA Sea Grant Marine Debris research presentations     
• 03:00 PM: Research Prototype “Flash Talks” by Graduate Students
• 03:30 PM: Poster Session & Prototype Exhibition (Dinner provided)

Interested in presenting a research poster or prototype?

SUBMIT POSTER ABSTRACT HERE

Poster abstract submission deadline is August 28, 2026, 5 PM EST.

Day 2: Tuesday, September 22 (09:00 AM – 03:00 PM)

Focus: Case Studies, Commercialization, and Future Policy Interventions.

• 09:00 AM: Opening Introduction (Refreshments provided)
• 09:15 AM: Session 1 – Case Studies: Industry Needs for Sustainable Replacements
  • Speaker: Dr. Taylor Uekert (BOTTLE Consortium)
• 09:45 AM: Networking Break
• 10:00 AM: Panel 1 – Strategies for Commercialization & Alternative Uses
  • Panelists: Nicole Baker (Net Your Problem), Dr. Taylor Uekert (BOTTLE Consortium), and Dr. Kara Lavender Law (Sea Education Association)
• 11:00 AM: Hands-on Learning Activity

As part of the Hands-on Learning Activity on Day 2 (11:00 AM – 12:30 PM), we are excited to feature a live technology demonstration by Nicole Baker of Net Your Problem. Ms. Baker will showcase the Trinamix hand-held spectrometer, a cutting-edge tool designed to instantly identify various plastic types. This session will highlight how advanced sensing technology can overcome the logistical and commercial hurdles of recycling specialized marine debris, such as fishing gear, into high-value products.

We encourage all participants to bring their own plastic samples to the symposium for live identification during this interactive session.

Updates on more activities coming soon!

• 12:30 PM: Networking Lunch (Lunch provided)
• 01:30 PM: Session 2 – Policy & Intervention Roundtable: The Future of Single-Use Plastics
  • Speakers: Vanessa Berry (Natural Resources Council of Maine), Brian Beneski (Maine Department of Environmental Protection), Sydney Harris (Upstream), and Megan Pryor (Maine Department of Environmental Protection)
• 02:30 PM: Strategic Planning: Collaborative Roadmap
• 02:50 PM: Closing Remarks and Resource Distribution

*Speakers and Panelists

*Please click on the pictures to learn more about our distinguished speakers and panelists and/or read the brief descriptions given below.

• Dan Martens (Keynote Speaker): North American Vice President for Novamont, a 10-year chair of the BioPlastics Division of the Plastics Industry Association, also serves as an advisory board member for USDA-funded academic studies of agricultural plastics in soils. As a certified master composter, Dan is an ardent supporter of community food waste collection and composting programs and is an active legislative advocate for sustainable materials. Dan believes in finding innovative materials and products that are in harmony with our natural environments. New products that serve a valuable prescribed use must not create a long-lasting environmental burden. He asks us: How do we design products for today while keeping future impacts in mind? Where do we get started when innovative materials are just dipping toes in the water? and, Is there a place for such materials in the marine environment? Dan enjoys sharing the history, value and potential role of bioplastics and is open to productivediscussion.
• Dr. Ramani Narayan: A University Distinguished Professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering & Materials Science at Michigan State University, where he has mentored over 50 graduate students and authored more than 300 peer-reviewed publications. With 32 issued patents and over 28,000 citations, his pioneering research has led to the commercialization of multiple biobased, biodegradable polymer technologies, including PLA and starch-based foams. A global leader in sustainability standards, Dr. Narayan is the founding chair of ASTM International’s committee on Environmentally Degradable Plastics and Biobased Products, where he spearheaded the development of key standards such as D6400, D6868, and D6866, and most recently on ASTM D8646-26, for calculating and reporting the estimated biodegradation time of non-persistent plastics designed for use in aquatic environments. He also serves as a U.S. technical expert to ISO, contributing to international standards on environmental aspects of plastics and packaging.
• Dr. Barbara Reck: A Senior Research Scientist at the Yale School of the Environment and Director of Material Systems at Bauhaus Earth, Dr. Reck is an expert in material cycles, circularity, and identifying industrial recycling barriers. Her systems-based research informs environmental policy and explores the potential of substituting conventional materials with regenerative, low-carbon, and bio-based alternatives in the built environment and beyond.
• Dr. Preeti Tyagi: As a Senior Engineer for Global R&D Innovations at Mars-Wrigley and a Certified Packaging Professional (CPP), she is part of the Global Sustainable Packaging Development team where her work focuses on creating sustainable, bio-based polymer and paper packaging solutions.
• Dr. Colleen Walker: As the Director of the Process Development Center (PDC) at the University of Maine, Colleen works directly with businesses, providing technical services and resources for traditional pulp and paper as well as emerging process technologies in materials science. Maine’s Process Development Center is one of the top suppliers in the world of nanocellulose to researchers and technology developers. In her previous work at the Technical Association of Pulp and Paper Industries (TAPPI), Colleen was actively engaged in projects related to new products and emerging markets.
• Dr. Taylor Uekert: As a Senior Researcher at the National Laboratory of the Rockies and Analysis Co-Lead for the BOTTLE Consortium, a multi-institutional initiative funded by the U.S. Department of Energy aimed at redesigning recycling and developing upcyclable plastics, Dr. Uekert specializes in the technical-economic evaluation of materials, helping bridge the gap between lab performance and market feasibility.
• Nicole Baker: Representing Net Your Problem, Ms. Baker is a pioneer in finding alternative uses for specialized marine debris. She brings a unique “circular economy” perspective, specifically focusing on the logistical and commercial challenges of recycling fishing nets and gear into high-value products.
• Dr. Kara Lavender Law: A Research Professor at the Sea Education Association and a newly elected member of the National Academy of Engineering, Dr. Law is a leading expert on the distribution and fate of plastic debris in the ocean. She co-chaired the Scientific Committee on Oceanic Research (SCOR) Working Group FLOTSAM for modeling ocean litter and contributed to global panels, including G7 and G20 workshops and the 2022 National Academies report on the U.S. role in global ocean plastic waste. She has co-authored comprehensive studies, such as the Minderoo-Monaco Commission report, linking plastic pollution to human health and supporting the development of a Global Plastics Treaty. This year, she was elected to the National Academy of Engineering.
• Vanessa Berry: As the Sustainable Maine Program Director at the Natural Resources Council of Maine (NRCM), Ms. Berry leads the organization’s policy, education, and public engagement initiatives focused on waste reduction, recycling, product stewardship, and sustainable materials management.
• Brian Beneski: The Supervisor of Recycling Programs in the Division of Materials Management at the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), Mr. Beneski supervises the state’s product stewardship and recycling programs and waste reduction efforts, in addition to planning and reporting related to materials management practices in the state. Brian also serves on the board of the Northeast Recycling Council and the Maine Resource Recovery Association.
• Sydney Harris: The Policy Director at Upstream, a national non-profit organization driving change toward a robust and enduring reuse economy. She supports systemic waste policies across the US and Canada, with a focus on advocating for the integration of reusable and refillable packaging and foodware systems within Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) programs and Deposit Return Systems (DRS). Sydney is also co-founder and coordinator of Reuse Maine, a statewide coalition that is working to catalyze and support the development of reuse systems across the Pine Tree state.
• Megan Pryor: Environmental Specialist at Maine DEP, where she supervises product stewardship programs, provides data analysis and reporting on waste management, promotes sustainable materials management, and facilitates the Maine Deconstruction Network.

Attendee Logistics

• Meals: Lunch will be provided on both Monday and Tuesday at 12:30 PM and an evening reception/dinner will be provided on Monday after the poster session.
• Click the link for nearby lodging, transportation, and dining options

If you have any questions regarding your registration or require further assistance, please contact our coordinating team at harsha.james@maine.edu

We look forward to seeing you in September!