Rooted in California: R3 at CRRA 2026

Solid waste in California can be confusing! We’ve built our whole presence at this year’s CRRA Conference & Trade Show around that one truth, and around the fact that translating it is exactly what we at R3 do.

From August 30 through September 2, R3 will be in San Diego for CRRA’s Annual Conference & Trade Show, themed “Rooted in California Values.” We’re exhibiting, speaking, sponsoring, and hosting a few surprises at our booth in the exhibitor hall; here’s the full rundown of where to find us.

Find Us at Booth #44

Stop by any day of the conference for a new “Trash Translator” crossword and word jumble. Solve these puzzles filled with solid waste jargon designed to make you think, whether you’re an industry veteran or brand new to it! While you are puzzling, snag  eco-friendly stickers to take home, a little punny, a little fun, and a small taste of what it’s like to work with us. And of course, genuinely good conversation, whether you’re fluent in trash talk or just picking it up.

Sessions We’re Leading

Garth Schultz kicks things off Monday morning:

• Zero Waste Infrastructure Design – Resource Recovery Parks
  Monday, August 31, 11:00 AM-12:15 PM
  A World Café format, hosted by CRRA’s Global Recycling Council, digging into the barriers and opportunities for resource recovery parks across California. Garth is leading the table on financing models and overcoming logistical hurdles. Pre-registration is required and space is limited to 40: register here if you want a seat at the table.

And right after lunch, he’s back for a second:

• Navigating the Legal Pitfalls around Rate Setting & Franchise Fees
  Monday, August 31 · 2:00–3:15 PM · Coral 5
  A facilitated roundtable on rate setting and franchise fees, with short case studies from the City of Napa and the City of San Diego. Open discussion follows, facilitated by a panel of consultants including Garth. No pre-registration required, but arrive early to grab a seat.

Tuesday afternoon, we’ve got two sessions running during the 2:45-4p slot – pick whichever fits your track:

• The Truth About C&D Facilities: Benefits & Challenges of Third-Party Certifications
  Sarah Koplowicz leads a roundtable-style panel digging into real solutions for regulating C&D facilities.
  
  
• What Jurisdictions Need to Know: Clean Fleets and Its Impact on Haulers
  Alex Soulard moderates a panel on CARB’s Advanced Clean Fleets regulations, with representatives from the Cities of Glendale, Santa Monica, and Beverly Hills on the realities of planning, budgeting, and implementation.

Events We’re Sponsoring

We’re not just showing up during the day! R3 is proud to sponsor a few of the ways this industry unwinds and connects, too:

• Trashy Sing Along, Sunday, August 30, 7:00-9:00 PM
  The conference kicks off the right way: karaoke. We’ll be there singing along (maybe badly, but definitely enthusiastically) before the sessions kick off.
  
  
• Mentorship Circle Networking Event, Monday, August 31, 6:30 PM
  A chance to meet a mentor, meet a mentee, or just talk shop with people who get it.
  
  
• LATC & FRB Green Scene Social Monday, August 31, 7:30-9:30 PM
  Hosted by CRRA’s Local Agency and Franchise, Rates, and Business Practices Technical Councils – light bites, drinks, and an ocean view to close out a very full Monday. Registration is separate and space is limited – register here.

Rooted in Translation

California’s solid waste laws don’t sit still; SB 1383 keeps us on our toes  the implementation of SB 54’s regulations is being ironed out, and every corner of the solid waste industry may interpret the fine print a little differently. That’s the part that keeps changing season to season, like branches and leaves.

What stays constant is the root system underneath: two decades of California municipalities trusting R3 to make sense of it all. “Rooted” isn’t just this year’s conference theme for us; it’s the reason we are the strong Trash Translators that we are. We’ve kept our ear to the ground and kept up with the changing terminology as the landscape has continued to evolve around us. Roots don’t stop the wind from blowing. They just make sure you’re still standing when it does.

*               *               *               *               *

We’ll be posting throughout the lead-up and all three days of the conference — booth activities, session reminders, and probably a few more puns than strictly necessary. Follow along on LinkedIn!

See you in San Diego. Booth #44, three days, no jargon required.