13th Annual Environmental Forum Sustainable Production:

Rochester’s Cutting Edge

Please join us for a conversation with two nationally recognized leaders who are driving innovative, sustainable production methods globally from right here at home in Rochester.  We don’t typically think of production and manufacturing as being environmentally friendly, but the fact is that cutting-edge innovation is changing industry in dramatic ways.  Production processes that drastically reduce waste, cut down on resources, and increase life-cycle and recycle-ability of the end product are essential to sustainability because consumption will always be part of life.  Our two headline speakers—Dr. Nabil Nasr from RIT and Catherine Reeves from Xerox—will give us a glimpse into such innovations (see Speaker Profiles below). 

After our headline speakers, we’ll hear briefly from everyone’s favorite recycling maven, Rochester’s Environmental Enthusiast at large, Kimie Romeo.  She’ll inspire us with her knowledge and fun down-to-earth manner, while connecting the dots between sustainability, our role as consumers, and the business and production world.

As you know, this is Rochester’s premier Earth Day event, attracting about 300 people annually, including over 30 environmental and related organizations.  Prior to the formal program, attendees will have the opportunity to learn from the participating organizations and each other about how we can each adopt more earth-friendly practices.   Come learn, share, enjoy, and become better prepared to move our community and our world toward sustainability.  Don’t miss it!

Speaker Profiles

Dr. Nabil Nasr, RIT’s Assistant Provost and Director of the Golisano Institute for Sustainability, will share new approaches and methodologies for sustainable production, as being researched, developed, and ultimately deployed into industry by the Golisano Institute.  Dr. Nasr was a primary force behind the establishment of the Institute.  In the fall of 2010, RIT received a $13.1 million competitive grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Institute of Standards and Technology, which  will be used to assist in the construction of a new “green” facility to house the Institute’s research and education programs.*

Catherine Reeves, the Director of Sustainable Operations at Xerox Corporation, will talk about the company’s pioneering efforts to increase efficiency and decrease waste across the supply chain. These efforts have earned Xerox many accolades, including an EPA Climate Protection Award in 2008. Ms. Reeves is responsible for Environmental Management Operations globally.  In over 26 years at Xerox, Ms. Reeves has gained experience in an array of organizations, and was a recipient of the Xerox President’s Award for developing a solvent free method for cleaning field returned equipment that is later remanufactured.**

Event Details

13th Annual Environmental Forum

Sustainable Production:

Rochester’s Cutting Edge

Thursday, April 21

First Unitarian Church of Rochester 220 Winton Road South

6pm: Doors open Network with and learn from representatives of 30+ environmental organizations Sustainably produced food and drink available for purchase from local vendors

   7pm: Program begins  

   9pm: Adjourn