The Strategy Behind Circular Services

Monday, Aug. 14, 2023
3:00 – 4:00 p.m.

Jessica Long, Chief Strategy Officer, Closed Loop Partners | Joaquin Mariel, Chief Commercial Officer, Balcones Resources | Richard McHale, Acting Director, Austin Resource Recovery |

This session will cover:

  • The details on Circular Services, a business unit launched by Closed Loop Partners in 2022 to bring together MRF operators and other processing-focused subsidiaries.

  • The evolving role of outside investment capital in pushing ahead recycling infrastructure projects.

  • How stakeholders throughout the materials recovery value chain are finding new ways to coordinate to bring more recycled material to market and solve challenges in recycling economics.

Speaker Bios

Jessica Long, Chief Strategy Officer, Closed Loop Partners

Jessica Long leads strategic initiatives at Closed Loop Partners, working across all investment platforms, Circular Services and the Center for the Circular Economy. She works with CLP’s corporate investors, portfolio companies and other partners to help achieve their circular economy goals. Long brings over two decades of experience with helping organizations increase competitiveness and drive profitable growth while creating positive economic, environmental and societal impact.

Jessica Long

Joaquin Mariel, Chief Commercial Officer, Balcones Resources

As the leader of Balcones’ business development team, Joaquin Mariel is on a mission to bring the company’s expertise and commitment to recycling to more communities in the southern United States. Mariel previously served as the company’s COO, vice president of operations, and general manager of the Austin division. His combination of operations experience and a passion for enhancing the MRF’s role as a pioneer of the circular economy makes him what some in the business like to call a “true believer” – a moniker he wears with pride.

Joaquin Mariel

Richard McHale, Interim Director, Austin Resource Recovery

Richard McHale has worked for the city of Austin since 1993 and is currently the interim director of Austin Resource Recovery. His experience includes operations, planning and policy development. McHale is currently a director of the Texas chapter of the Solid Waste Association of North America, having formerly served as its president. He is also a past president of the U.S. Conference of Mayors on Municipal Waste Management Association and an advisory council member of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality – Municipal Solid Waste Management and Resource Recovery Advisory Council. Additionally, McHale serves on the Solid Waste Advisory Commission for the Capital Area Planning Council of Governments.

Richard McHale

Back to the full 2023 Detailed Schedule.