Join us for an award-winning vegetarian-vegan Latin American lunch from Tumerico, engaging local circular economy speakers, and the opportunity to connect with sustainability leaders and professionals in Southern Arizona!
Registration is free for Circular Arizona members and $30 for nonmember guests. Select your membership status below to get registered. General registration closed Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024. A limited number of tickets remain and will be available until sold out.
Meet the speakers
Lisa Rotello has worked for the City of Tucson's City of Tucson Environmental & General Services Department for over 28 years and has served in many capacities. She manages environmental projects and oversees the department's environmental contracts.
Lisa began the City's FoodCycle at Home Pilot and is currently the project's lead. She serves on the board for Circular Arizona and is the liaison to many community organizations, including the University of Arizona Office of Sustainability and Compost Cats. Lisa is a native of Tucson and has dedicated her career to the public sector.
Jose Garcia is an environmental services inspector for the City of Tucson Environmental & General Services Department. Based at the Los Reales Sustainability campus, he aids in landfill operations and regulatory compliance and manages the landfill's hazardous waste exclusion program.
During his undergraduate years at the University of Arizona, Jose worked with Compost Cats. This student organization promotes compost education and provides food waste collection and composting services to students and the local Tucson community. Now, Jose manages the Los Reales Composting Facility and has an integral role in Tucson's commercial and residential food waste collection programs.
Ryan Dillard has been with Bookmans for 11 years, during which time he has held various key roles, including community outreach and management. He currently serves as Director of Communication.
Ryan's passion for sustainability and repurposing goods aligns perfectly with Bookmans' mission as the leading trade hub for goods in Tucson and across Arizona. Whether at work or home, Ryan is committed to reducing the environmental impact of everyday items and promoting a more sustainable lifestyle.
Ryan will discuss the partnership between Bookman's Entertainment Exchange and the Friends of the Pima Library. Each year, approximately 320 million books end up in landfills.
In Tucson, Bookmans Entertainment Exchange has been working to reduce that number by buying back books and reselling them since 1976. Only some books can be resold or even donated. In 2023, Bookmans began coordinating with the Friends of the Pima Library, which provides additional outlets for resold, donated, or recycled books.
Cristina Polsgrove has been the Public Information Officer for Environmental Services since 2004. She has worked in communications and public outreach for over 25 years. Cristina is responsible for contracts, media relations, digital and print materials, education and outreach regarding all department programs and services.
A few of Cristina's career highlights include transitioning the department from a general fund to an enterprise fund and transitioning the team from a 6 to a 5-day work week. Previously, she worked in community relations and educational outreach at the University of Arizona. She is a native Tucsonan and a proud Wildcat!
Cristina currently serves as Vice Chair of Circular Arizona. She has previously been involved in SWANA as director of the national Communications, Education, and Marketing technical committee and director of SWANA's Arizona Chapter. With her wealth of knowledge and experience, Cristina is thrilled to speak on Tucson's zero waste events.