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A panel of circular economy specialists exploring recycling solutions for solar and storage technologies.

•  Standard ticket: $15
• This event is complimentary for all WCS members. No promo codes needed.
• Refer to the membership options here. Become a member here.
• All registrants will receive access to a recording of the event.

To lower emissions, humanity is in a race to deploy as much solar, wind, and storage as fast as possible. However, this equipment has a useful life of 20 - 35 years. By 2050, it is projected that around 80 million metric tons of solar panels will be useless. We need to consider effective end-of-life strategies to ensure clean energy components don’t end up in our waste streams and landfills.

In this cleantech materials discussion, industry leaders will share insights on the economic mechanics of recycling solar panels, lithium-ion, and electronics. We will discuss both the global problem of end-of-life lithium-ion and the development of secondary supply of critical commodities that fuel the circular economy. Our panelists will also highlight the benefits of sustainable management of electronics and illuminate new policies that will encourage participation. Lastly, the discussion will delve into case studies of companies that are transforming their supply chain to support a circular economy and responsible cleantech material disposal.

Women in Cleantech and Sustainability welcomes the following panelists:

• Ala Hussain, Engineering & Construction Manager, P. Eng., PMP, Li- Cycle

• Janette Freeman, Director of Business Development, Fabtech Solar Solutions

• Jonathan Castaing, Nationwide Business Development Manager, Corporate eWaste, CEWS

Moderator: Sara Fuentes, Co-Founder and President, SmartWaste

Attendees will leave this panel energized to create actionable contributions in their direct community, businesses, and governments. Join us as we discuss how to avoid a solar and storage waste crisis!

Event Agenda (times in PT):

• 9:00 - 9:05 Arrival, introductions, and housekeeping

• 9:05 - 9:40 Panel discussion

• 9:40 - 9:55 Q&A from the audience

• 9:55 - 10:00 Thank you and wrap-up

Ala Hussain

Speaker

Engineering & Construction Manager, P. Eng., PMP, Li-Cycle

Ala Hussain is the Engineering & Construction Manager of Li-Cycle. In this role, Ala is responsible for overseeing the regulatory requirements for Li-Cycle’s proposed hydrometallurgical manufacturing facility (‘the Hub’) in Rochester, NY. This includes managing internal and external stakeholder management, collaboration with the regulatory bodies, and ensuring company compliance with the permitting requirements and conditions for the Hub’s design, construction, and operational phases. Ala leverages her technical and management experience to support Li-Cycle’s ongoing construction projects. 

With more than 10 years of industrial experience and proven leadership skills, Ala brings her deep experience, passion, and a results-driven nature to Li-Cycle’s expansion. 

Before joining Li-Cycle, Ala was a Senior Project Manager at Enbridge Gas Distribution Inc., where she managed the planning, design, construction, commissioning, and transition to operations of the renewable natural gas portfolio. Prior to that, she led other large and complex infrastructure projects end to end, and managed changes and roll-out of technical standards, manuals, and engineering compliance requirements to the Construction and Operations departments. 

Ala is a graduate of the University of Toronto and holds a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering and is a  registered engineer with the Professional Engineers of Ontario. Ala also holds a professional designation with the Project Management Institute.

Janette Freeman

Speaker

Director of Business Development, FabTech Solar Solutions

Janette Freeman is passionate about saving the landfill from the millions of solar panels which will be coming to end-of-life in the years ahead.  She is the Director of Business Development for FabTech Solar Solutions, which does solar panel refurbishing and recycling, giving panels a second life or a proper cremation. Prior to working in renewables, she worked in personal development training and coaching.  

She is the author of three books and has a Doctorate of Consciousness Studies.

Jonathan Castaing

Speaker

Nationwide Business Development Manager, Corporate eWaste Solutions (CEWS)

Jonathan Castaing has been in the environmental field for over a decade. His focus is to help others do the right thing by recycling and keeping hazardous items from being buried into the earth's soil. Eco-friendly processing will help everyone's health. Keeping mother earth clean is his passion. His heart believes we can all do better in society and recycle more.  Jonathan believes our shores, water, air, land all can be cleaner if we focus on the reality of what is happening now and together we can accomplish anything.

Sara Fuentes

Moderator

Co-Founder and President of SmartWaste