Organics Recycling Conference (ORC) 2026

A Look Back at ORC

The inaugural Organics Recycling Conference (ORC) brought together founders, CEOs, operators, innovators, sustainability professionals, municipalities, and commercial organizations for two days of discussions focused on the future of organics recycling and resource recovery.

A highlight of the event was the opening keynote delivered by Denali Founder & Chairman Andy McNeill, who explored the evolution of the organics recycling industry, recurring market trends, and the forces shaping its future. Drawing on decades of industry experience, Andy emphasized the importance of innovation, collaboration, and scalable diversion solutions as demand for organics recycling continues to grow.

Denali CEO Todd Mathes also participated in a panel discussion focused on the early development of the organics recycling market and the foundational trends that continue to influence the industry today. Todd reinforced the importance of maintaining strong operational fundamentals, highlighting Denali's commitment to safety, reliability, and customer service as critical drivers of long-term success.

The event also featured a panel discussion including several Denali customers and partners who shared firsthand experiences building successful organics diversion programs within corporations and municipalities.

Key Topics & Takeaways

Industry discussions focused on:

• Contamination reduction and material quality.
• Infrastructure investments to support future growth.
• Permitting and regulatory challenges.
• Safety and operational excellence.
• Customer service and partnership development.
• Maximizing the value of recovered materials.
• Scalable diversion solutions and emerging technologies.

Key themes that emerged throughout the conference included:

• Strong momentum across the organics recycling industry.
• Growing demand for scalable infrastructure and innovation.
• The critical role of partnerships in achieving diversion goals.
• Continued focus on operational excellence and material recovery.
• The importance of starting diversion programs now and scaling over time.

Looking Ahead

Throughout the conference, one message remained consistent: momentum is building across the organics recycling industry. Organizations do not need to have every answer before launching a diversion program—the key is to take action, learn, and work with experienced partners to expand diversion efforts over time.

As the industry continues to evolve, Denali remains committed to helping organizations achieve their sustainability goals, move materials to their highest and best use, and advance waste diversion through innovative, scalable solutions.