Carolina Recycling Association Conference

The Carolina Recycling Association (CRA) Annual Conference & Trade Show brought together industry leaders committed to advancing recycling, organics recovery, and landfill diversion efforts.

Throughout the event, conversations reinforced a common theme: unused food is increasingly being recognized as a valuable resource that can be transformed into renewable energy, compost, and other beneficial products. This message closely aligns with Denali's integrated approach to food recycling and organics management.

Denali was also proud to participate in a panel discussion, where many of the topics raised throughout the conference reflected the opportunities and challenges facing the industry today.

Key Event Takeaways:

• Reducing Contamination Remains a Top Priority
  
  • Attendees emphasized the importance of minimizing contamination to improve recovery rates, increase operational efficiency, and maximize the value of diverted organic materials.
• Regional Infrastructure Is Essential for Long-Term Success
  
  • A recurring topic throughout the conference was the need for stronger regional infrastructure to support continued growth in food recycling and organics recovery programs. Expanding access to processing capacity and diversion solutions will be critical to achieving meaningful landfill diversion.
• Technology Is Driving the Future of Organics Recycling
  
  • Discussions highlighted the role of scalable, technology-driven solutions in helping organizations improve diversion efforts, streamline operations, and support the continued advancement of the organics recycling industry.
• Strong Partnerships Create Lasting Impact
  
  • The event also provided an opportunity to reconnect with one of Denali's customers, who shared how valuable it has been to have a dependable partner supporting their campus food recycling efforts. Conversations like these reinforce the importance of collaboration in building successful, long-term diversion programs.

In this clip, Sloan Reeves from the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC), one of our customers, shares how their campus is using our food recycling program to reduce hauling costs, improve efficiency, and support landfill diversion—bringing real, measurable impact to their operations.

Looking Ahead

The CRA Conference highlighted the growing momentum behind treating unused food as a resource rather than waste. As interest in organics recovery continues to grow, Denali remains committed to helping organizations transform food waste into valuable products while advancing sustainability and landfill diversion goals.