FAQs & Policies

Animal Policy

For the safety, comfort, and well-being of all attendees, SWANA prohibits animals in the conference space. The only exception to this policy is for service animals as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Service animals must remain under the control of their handler at all times.
Children and Badge Policy

SWANA understands there may be scenarios where RCon™ participants are accompanied by children or other family members and guests. We discourage bringing children into education sessions in order to preserve an optimal learning environment, but they may enter the other conference space and the exhibit hall. Due to the inclusion of large and heavy equipment in the RCon Exhibit Hall, all children must be in the care of an adult who is responsible for their safety. SWANA is not responsible for any injury that may occur.
Additionally, all individuals—regardless of age—must have a conference badge to enter the exhibit hall and conference sessions. Badges can be obtained at the RCon registration counter.
This policy helps us ensure a safe and secure environment for all attendees. We appreciate your cooperation.
Event Code of Conduct

SWANA is committed to providing an environment that encourages free expression and exchange of technical and professional ideas and promotes equal opportunities and respectful treatment for all participants. All participants are expected to treat others with respect and consideration, follow venue rules, and alert SWANA staff or security of any dangerous situations or anyone in distress. This Code of Conduct applies to all SWANA event-related functions, including those sponsored by organizations other than SWANA but held in conjunction with SWANA events. 
Conduct Reporting
At SWANA, we pride ourselves on a culture of openness, trust, transparency, and integrity. We want to ensure that sensitive issues that impact our organizational culture—and us as individuals—can be reported and dealt with appropriately.
We also know that speaking up can be hard sometimes, so as part of our diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts, we have engaged Lighthouse Services to provide an anonymous hotline for all employees and members of SWANA to report unethical behavior. The purpose of this service is to ensure that anyone wishing to submit a report of conduct not in line with SWANA’s Code of Conduct anonymously can do so without fear of retribution.
Employees and members are encouraged to use the hotline service in cases where anonymity is desired. You can always report directly to SWANA Executive Director/CEO Amy Lestition Burke.
- Website: https://report.syntrio.com/swana
- Anonymous Reporting App: Keyword: swana
- Toll-Free Telephone:
- E-mail: reports@syntrio.com (must include company name with report)
- Fax: 215-689-3885 (must include company name with report)

Frequently Asked Questions

Registration

Cancellation Policy
Cancellation requests must be submitted by email to rcon@swana.org. Refund eligibility is outlined below.
Requests received by October 22, 2025:
- Will receive a full refund of the registration fee, minus a $150 USD administration fee. Fees for tours or other add-on events are non-refundable.
- If a group registration size falls below four people, registration fees will be recalculated to the standard rate plus $150 USD administration fee per cancelled registrant; any remaining balance will be refunded. Members from a group registration can be replaced with someone from your organization.
Requests received after October 22, 2025:
- No refunds; full payment required for all purchased items. No shows will be invoiced.
Earlybird Registration

Earlybird registration rates are available from May 22 – July 18 for SWANA members registering for full conference access to RCon and for U.S. Plastics Pact Activators registering for the Activator Action Summit. The full conference registration rates increase beginning July 19.
Modifying Registrations

If the change you are seeking to make does not impact the cost of your registration, you can make that adjustment via your SWANA profile. Locate the event under “Purchases / Events.” Locate the event and click on “Details” to enter your registration and make changes.
If the change requires a price modification, please reach out to rcon@swana.org for support.
Registration Transfer

If you would like to transfer your registration to a colleague, please reach out to rcon@swana.org for support. All registrations are transferable.
What is included in my registration fee?
Full conference registration passes for RCon include access to all conference education sessions and exhibit hall access throughout the event, as well as the opening reception on Wednesday and all-conference networking event on Friday. Experiential learning tours and SWANA courses are available for an additional fee.
For participants attending only one-day of RCon, registration includes sessions, exhibit hall access and any networking event occurring on the day you are attending.
Exhibit hall only registrants may participate in any functions occurring in the exhibit hall.
Meals Included:
- Wed, Nov 12: Evening Opening Reception will include drinks and hors d’oeuvres
- Thurs, Nov 13: Morning coffee & light snacks; lunch, afternoon beverages; evening SWANA Awards Reception will include heavy hors d’oeuvres
- Fri, Nov 14: Morning coffee & light snacks; lunch, afternoon beverages; dinner at Night at the Market event
- Sat, Nov 15: Morning coffee & light snacks
Is there a group registration discount available for RCon?

Yes, there is a group registration discount available for organizations registering four (4) or more people for the full-conference registration. In order to benefit from the group registration discount, please register together using the “group registration” option. The discount will be applied automatically when registering four or more people. View pricing for group registrations.
I work for an industry media organization. Is there a press rate?

Yes, members of waste and resource management media groups may request a press pass to RCon. Please reach out to rcon@swana.org with your credentials for more information.
Are meals included in the registration fee?

We are pleased to offer the following as part of your RCon experience:
Wed, November 12: Evening Opening Reception will include drinks and hors d’oeuvres
Thurs, November 13: Morning coffee & light snacks; lunch; afternoon beverages; evening SWANA Awards Reception will include heavy hors d’oeuvres
Fri, November 14: Morning coffee & light snacks; lunch; afternoon beverages; dinner at Night at the Market event
Sat, November 15: Morning coffee & light snacks

Hotel and Travel

Is there a hotel block available?

SWANA has secured room blocks at four (4) hotels for participants. View the options and room block booking sites.
What is the deadline to book a room in the room block?

The Sonesta Columbus Downtown room block closes after Friday, October 17. All other hotel blocks close after Monday, October 20.

General

What is the dress code?

Business casual dress is appropriate for the majority of RCon and U.S. Plastics Pact functions (dresses, dress pants and blouses or buttoned shirts, khakis and polos). For those attending the RCon Awards Reception, feel free to dress it up a bit with cocktail attire.
Dress code suggestions/requirements for experiential learning/tour offerings can be found here.
We suggest bringing a light sweater or jacket during the day as the convention center rooms are air-conditioned. Check the weather before traveling to Columbus for RCon. Temperatures can vary greatly in November.
Can I earn PDHs for participating?
Yes, RCon participants can earn PDHs for participating, according to the outline below:
- Full conference attendance = 15 PDHs
- One-day conference attendance = 4.5 PDHs
- Manager of Landfill Operations Course = 30 PDHs
- Landfill Gas Systems Operations and Maintenance Course = 30 PDHs
- Essential Leachate PFAS Treatment Course = 6 PDHs
- Experiential Learning Tours = 1-2 PDHs (varies by Experiential Learning Tour)