Biography

David Stead is a Principal and Vice President for RRS. He has spent over 30 years working with communities to expand recycling programs, funders to understand biomass supply and project investment, and haulers and materials recovery facilities to improve material collection and processing. He has also developed and published policy analyses in many policy areas, including solid waste management and recycling, low level radioactive waste disposal, and the impact of environmental liability on the regulated community.

Recent Team Projects

  • Peoria County, IL: RRS developed a 20-year solid waste management plan including a review of program data, waste reduction volumes, and program costs.
  • Minneapolis, MN: RRS managed the assessment of collection options, determined the impact on marketable materials value, and identify next steps for a dual- vs single-stream evaluation.
  • Chippewa County, WI Land Conservation and Forest Management: RRS authored a market analysis report, recyclable materials market analysis, and MRF options analysis report.
  • Ann Arbor, MI: RRS provided solid waste planning, financial strategy and analysis, and assisted with commercial recycling implementation.

Affiliations/Memberships

  • Ecology Center of Ann Arbor
  • Recycle Ann Arbor

Topical Expertise

  • Solid Waste and Recycling Programs
  • Material Collection and Processing
  • Financial Analysis and Economic Modeling
  • Biomass Energy

Recent Speaking Engagements/Publications

  • SERDC Recycling Summit (Nov 2018): Making the Case for Recycling Trainer Workshop
  • Michigan Recycling Coalition Conference (May 2016): Municipal Solid Waste Characterization – What’s It Worth
  • Wisconsin Integrated Resource Management Conference (Feb 2012): Increasing Commercial Recycling Efforts
  • Wisconsin Integrated Resource Management Conference (Feb 2012): Festival Food Waste Composting
  • Colorado Association for Recycling Summit (Jun 2011): Increasing Commercial Recycling Efforts

Education/Certifications

  • Master of Science Natural Resources Policy and Economics, University of Michigan
  • Master of Applied Economics, University of Michigan
  • Continuing Engineering Certification
  • Water Law and Applied Engineering Certification

Connect

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Thought Leadership

  • 4 Tips for Creating a Better Waste Management Plan

    4 Tips for Creating a Better Waste Management Plan Recycling and waste management should be implemented as a resource management system, not a waste management system. As recycling programs began to be implemented in the 1970s and 1980s they were thought of as part of the solid waste collection system. Recycling programs were expected to […]

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