-Pace Law School White Plains
Federated Conservationists of Westchester County (FCWC), Sierra Club Lower Hudson Group, Westchester Alliance for Sustainable Solutions (WASS)
Friday May 15, 2026, 9am-3pm
Pace University’s Elisabeth Haub School of Law, 78 North Broadway, White Plains NY 10603
Join FCWC, Sierra Club LHG, and WASS for the Waste in Westchester Summit. The day-long program will feature a range of speakers working to advance Zero Waste solutions including local municipal officials, business owners, and organizations. The focus will be on solutions to our waste problems and how to fund them, saving communities money in the process.
We encourage municipal leaders, business owners, sustainability advocates, and local residents to attend and learn how to protect the fiscal health of their communities, the physical health of their citizens, and the long-term health of our planet.
“Westchester already has programs to divert 90% of what is burned at the trash incinerator in Peekskill. What we are lacking is the understanding of how to build out those solutions and the political will to make it happen. The program is designed for our decision-makers to leave with an understanding of solutions, how to implement them, and how to fund them. Even ignoring the savings in health care costs from breathing the air pollution from the incinerator, Zero Waste solutions can save our tax dollars and create jobs.” – Courtney M. Williams, PhD, Executive Director, WASS
“FCWC is pleased to host this open forum for learning and sharing ideas for action to reduce the volume of solid waste in Westchester County.” – Jane Curtis, Managing Director, FCWC
“All incinerators are expensive and polluting, and the older they get, the truer that is. It’s past time to adopt Zero Waste programs that save cities and towns money, protect public health, and create good, local, green jobs. I’m looking forward to talking about local and statewide work Westchester County residents can do to reduce trash, compost, and promote real recycling.” – Kirstie Pecci, Executive Director, Just Zero
Agenda:
9:00-10:00 Breakfast, networking, and exhibits
10:00-12:30 Welcome Address, Keynote Address, and Legislative Solutions
12:30-1:30 Lunch and exhibits
1:30–3:00 Community-Based Solutions
Confirmed Speakers:
Kirstie Pecci, Executive Director, Just Zero
Erika Pierce, Westchester County Board of Legislators (District 2)
Steven Otis, New York State Assembly (District 91)
Anthony Carbone, Owner, Sustainable Materials Management, Inc.
Courtney M. Williams, PhD, Founder, Westchester Alliance for Sustainable Solutions
Louis Vetrone, First Deputy Commissioner, Westchester Department of Environmental Facilities
The Hudson Valley Regional Council
Organizations attending:
Environmental Leaders of Color
Sustainable Westchester
Beyond Plastics
Sierra Club Lower Hudson Group
Federated Conservationists of Westchester County (FCWC)
Westchester Alliance for Sustainable Solutions (WASS)
Businesses attending:
Sustainable Materials Management
Hudson Compost
Rivertowns General Store/Refill Room
Westchester Alliance for Sustainable Solutions (WASS)
