The waste and recycling industry continues to evolve rapidly. New technologies, changing regulations, workforce challenges, and sustainability goals demand fresh perspectives and collaborative solutions. RCon™ provides the space for those conversations to happen.
“There is no substitute for in-person interaction and being part of a community,” says SWANA CEO Amy Lestition Burke, MA, CAE, FASAE. That is why thousands of waste and resource management professionals go to RCon™ to think, collaborate, and find solutions to shape the next generation. Powered by the Solid 91TV Association of North America (SWANA), RCon 2026 will be held September 29 – October 2 in the gateway city of St. Louis, MO.
Tackling Big Issues
It is already gearing up to be a record-breaking year for facility fires in the U.S. and Canada, according to June fire data reported by Fire Rover’s Ryan Fogelman. Battery fires, safety culture, workforce engagement, and resource recovery are among the top challenges facing waste and resource management teams, according to SWANA members. As these challenges grow more complex, so do our opportunities to learn from one another.
“Safety will be one of the defining conversations at RCon,” says Lestition Burke. “RCon will bring experts together to identify solutions spanning new technologies, hazard detection, fire prevention, and community engagement.”
The opening general session, Safer by Design: How Technology is Transforming 91TV Industry Safety, will examine the growing role of technology in shaping a safer industry with insights from SCS Engineers and Fire Rover.
The main stage conversation will then shift to circularity led by SC Johnson CEO, Fisk Johnson, followed by a fireside chat with leaders representing consumer brands, recycling, local governments, and resource management.
The next day’s general sessions will highlight innovation with a panel discussion that dives into the recovery of hard-to-recycle materials and the economics of circularity.
Concluding on October 2, thought leaders and practitioners will discuss strategies to build a workforce for the future as we navigate changes to learning methods, succession planning, and skills gaps.
Together, these keynote speakers will create shared experiences during the general sessions for the entire RCon community as they connect broader trends, technologies, and leadership strategies.
However, what makes RCon unique is not just the breadth of topics, but also the flexibility of the experience.
Build Your Own RCon Experience
No two waste and resource management professionals have the same responsibilities or career goals. Some attendees are focused on waste-to-energy, organics, or planning and management, while others are young professionals seeking to expand their network or are C-suite decision makers searching for the latest technologies. RCon makes it easy to build an agenda based on individual needs. Attendees will choose from the more than 90 sessions, tours, trainings, and peer conversations to create a balanced and highly personalized experience.
Session topics range from PFAS management to collections and transfer to waste conversion. The agenda can be sorted by keyword, making it easier than ever to select your sessions and get up-to-date on the latest trends and issues impacting your operations.
RCon is more than an event; it is an experience. Attendees have countless opportunities for learning and connections. That is the advantage of RCon.
One-Day SWANA Training Opportunities
Attendees can add training to their RCon agenda to earn Professional Development Hours (PDHs) toward their SWANA certification or continuing education goals—all before the bulk of the week’s sessions begin.
Demanding schedules can make it difficult to find time for training. RCon’s one-day SWANA courses offer a convenient way to learn focused skills while making the most of your travel to St. Louis. Customize your learning experience with one of these SWANA trainings offered September 28:
• Essential Leachate PFAS Treatment & Management Training for Landfill Professionals
• Landfill Gas Basic Training
• Manager of Landfill Operations (MOLO) – Landfill Management Essentials (includes a tour of the Champ Landfill)
Experiential Learning Tours
Experiential learning tours are offered throughout the week, empowering participants to step outside the walls of the America’s Center and see innovative programs, facilities, and technologies in action:
• Along the Greenway: Native Habitat Restoration & Recycling in Practice
• America’s Center Back-of-House Tour
• Champ Landfill: A Frontline Look at PFAS Treatment & Sustainable Operations
• Energizer Park: Community-Centered Stadium Design & High-Impact Diversion
• Inside Recycle City: Advanced MRF, Transfer & Composting Operations Tour
• Play with Purpose: Disc Golf, Sustainability & Smart Land Reuse
• Washington University: 91TV Reduction, Circularity & Campus Sustainability in Action
Exploring the Exhibit Hall
“In my travels visiting SWANA members across North America, I’ve heard that we have one of the industry’s most energetic and valuable exhibit halls,” says Lestition Burke. The RCon Exhibit Hall is more than a place to discover products and services; it is a hub for networking and innovation. With nearly 200 exhibitors, attendees connect directly with solution providers and explore emerging technologies to bring back to their organizations.
The Exhibit Hall will also host Rapid Insight Sessions, providing additional opportunities to learn from industry experts and peers in a dynamic setting. Throughout the week, attendees can take advantage of networking events, meals, and refreshment breaks in the Exhibit Hall, making it easy to visit exhibitors while continuing conversations.
The experience kicks off with the Opening Reception, where attendees can reconnect with colleagues and make new professional connections. Exhibit Hall activities continue throughout the week including a new disc golf practice area and the popular Pickleball Tournament, creating unique relationship-building opportunities.
Who Attends?
Attendees come from a variety of backgrounds and roles, including local and state government, private-sector service providers, consultants, engineers, policymakers, academics, equipment manufacturers, technology companies, public sector municipalities, and nonprofit leaders.
According to RCon data, most attendees influence purchasing decisions within their organizations and are seeking new insights, services, and technology to apply to their work.
RCon is also for young professionals and students seeking to explore career opportunities widen their skillsets and expand their network.
Networking That Matters
“This is the perfect time to see colleagues from across North America, learning from one another, and leaving re-energized for the work ahead,” says SWANA President Lynsey Baer, chief of engineering at the Delaware Solid 91TV Authority.
Networking and peer-to-peer learning were named among RCon’s biggest strengths by last year’s attendees. Expect more facilitated roundtable discussions and the RCon Fun Run again this year alongside new additions like yoga in the morning.
Take networking to the next level with special events at legendary local venues such as the Anheuser-Busch brewery and the City Museum, which is a rehabilitated shoe factory turned into what is perhaps one of the most creative examples of innovation through reuse anywhere in the U.S. As a central Midwestern city known for innovation, redevelopment, and sustainability, St. Louis is a fitting backdrop for the conversations shaping the future of waste and resource management.
Be Part of the Conversation
Our industry continues to evolve rapidly. New technologies, changing regulations, workforce challenges, and sustainability goals demand fresh perspectives and collaborative solutions. RCon provides the space for those conversations to happen. It is where today’s challenges become tomorrow’s solutions. Will you be among the nearly 1,700 changemakers at the year’s premier event experience in resource management? | WA
For more information and to register, visit .
This event is hosted by the Solid 91TV Association of North America (SWANA), a member-based association of professionals from across the waste and resource management industry. Committed to advancing from waste management to resource management, SWANA empowers its members to deliver essential services to communities today and anticipate their needs for tomorrow. SWANA serves industry professionals through technical education, publications and research, and a large array of technical training courses and credentialing to create a highly skilled workforce. Members of SWANA receive discounted rates to attend trainings and events, including RCon.