Reducing Single-Use Plastic Waste in Greater Philadelphia Panel Discussion With Spanish Translation

Join SBN, Greenline Access Capital, ECHO Systems, LUHV Food, Circular Philadelphia to discuss going plastic-free, using reusable containers, and other aspects of new legislation that will impact our region's local business community with an emphasis on providing information for Spanish-speaking business owners.

In this panel, guests will learn about some of the models for avoiding single-use containers that SBN members are already putting into practice, what effect this has on the waste processing system in our region, and how legislation around single-use containers can impact food businesses throughout the region. If you are a business that uses coffee cups, takeout containers, and other disposable utensils, this is a must-attend panel. Guests will also hear about a white paper and draft legislation from Circular Philadelphia and the Clean Air Council around single-use container bans. The panel will be moderated by SBN's Executive Director, Devi Ramkissoon, followed by a Q&A session with the audience. Guests can also expect to network with other local business leaders over refreshments. The event will feature live translation in Spanish.

You can also see Circular Philadelphia's flyer that explains a simple and straightforward way to address single-use plastic containers in Philadelphia and how we can limit these items through smart legislation. 

Date: Thursday, March 23rd 

Time: 9:30– 11:30 am 

Location: SBN's Offices (915 Spring Garden Street, Suite 502, Philadelphia, PA, 19123) 

This program is FREE.

Speaking on the panel are: 

Silvia Lucci, Cofounder of LUHV Food 

Silvia Lucci is an entrepreneur who believes we can change the world by the way we eat. She is the Founder/Owner of LUHV FOOD, an award-winning manufacturing company of nutritional vegan foods. She worked for the YMCA for many years and volunteered for many community causes throughout her life in both countries. Silvia has a Master's degree in Social Development and is a professor of Educational Sciences. She is an immigrant from Argentina who loves her adoptive country and enjoys running, biking, and scuba diving. She lives in Bucks County, PA, with her husband and friend of 34 years and is the incredibly proud mother of four adult children.

Nic Esposito, Director of Policy and Engagement, Circular Philadelphia 

Nic Esposito is a writer, publisher, community activist, urban farmer and circular economy professional. Nic served as the City of Philadelphia's Zero Waste and Litter Director from 2016-2020. He is currently the Director of Operations at Grid Magazine and the Director of Policy and Engagement for Circular Philadelphia. Nic also founded the non-profit bookstore and publishing company The Head & The Hand and co-manages Emerald Street Community Farm in the Kensington neighborhood of Philadelphia.
 

Alisa Shargorodsky, Founder and CEO, ECHO Systems

Born and raised in Philadelphia, Alisa Shargorodsky’s professional and academic background is in Urban Design and the circular economy. Alisa is most passionate when serving her community and inspiring social and environmental justice in her beloved city. She has provided environmental sustainability coordination and consulting to the Philadelphia Water Department, Weavers Way Cooperative Food Association, and Live Nation. Her research focuses on source reduction and systems design and she has served as a panelist for Be Waste Wise, a global discussion on waste through Columbia University. In 2020 she was a panelist for Thomas Jefferson University’s symposium on Sustainable Design. An enthusiastic educator, she has a bright vision of our collective potential to do better for this planet.
 

Panel Translator:

Kersy Azocar, President and CEO of Greenline Access Capital

Kersy Azocar is the President and CEO of Greenline Access Capital and has over 18 years of
experience in the financial industry. Kersy is responsible for leading the organization to achieve
its goals with the highest standards of operations. Greenline is a mission-driven nonprofit
financial institution that works to address the continued and persistent gap in access to capital
for financially underserved people by providing customized lending products and services.
Prior to joining Greenline, Kersy worked for 13 years at a Philadelphia-based Community
Financial Development Institution (CDFI). Originally from the Dominican Republic, Kersy prides
herself on being able to address the needs of emerging and existing entrepreneurs providing a
hands-on approach rarely encountered in the industry.

Panel moderator:

Devi Ramkissoon, Executive Director of the Sustainable Business of the Sustainable Business Network of Greater Philadelphia 

Devi Ramkissoon comes to SBN with 15+ years of experience in international development, specializing in working with sustainable businesses for economic growth and poverty reduction. An immigrant and social entrepreneur herself, Devi has worked tirelessly to advance the work of small businesses from underrepresented communities across Latin America, Asia, sub-Saharan Africa, and the Middle East.