The Lifecycle and Future of Battery Embedded Devices (May 7th, 2025)
As battery-embedded devices continue to evolve, understanding their lifecycle—from design and consumer management to disposal and recycling—is crucial for sustainability and regulatory compliance. This webinar will explore key challenges and innovations shaping the future management of these devices, with insights from industry and government.
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Jessica Young, Chief of the Recycling and Generator Branch, EPA's Office of Resource Conservation and Recovery
Jessica Young is the Chief of the Recycling and Generator Branch in EPA's Office of Resource Conservation and Recovery (ORCR). During her almost 20 years at EPA, Jessica has worked to ensure solid and hazardous waste are properly managed, recycled, and disposed. Jessica’s branch at EPA covers the cradle part of the RCRA cradle-to-grave hazardous waste regulations including universal wastes (such as batteries), definition of solid waste (DSW) recycling exclusions, hazardous waste generators, and more. For the last 5 years, lithium-ion battery recycling and disposal issues have been hot topics for her branch. Jessica earned a master’s degree in environmental science and policy from John Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree in Science of Earth Systems from Cornell University.
Joe Lange, Plant General Manager, Universal Recycling Technologies (URT)
Joe Lange brings over 15 years of operational experience in manufacturing, backed by a foundation in Industrial Engineering and a deep passion for continuous improvement. As Plant General Manager at URT’s flagship facility in Wisconsin, he leads one of the nation’s premier electronics recycling operations—driving innovation, operational excellence, and high-performing teams. With proven expertise in lean manufacturing and Six Sigma, Joe is recognized for building resilient teams, challenging conventional thinking, and consistently delivering results in fast-paced, complex environments.
Dave Hirschler, Chief Sustainability Officer, ERI
As ERI’s Chief Sustainability Officer, David Hirschler is responsible for ERI’s internal and external sustainability initiatives to help maintain ERI’s place as the most responsible and transparent IT and electronics asset disposition provider in the United States. This includes managing legislative responsibilities covering the gamut of producer responsibility regulations through data protection regulations, ERI oversees our ESG and waste diversion tracking programs, as well as our efforts to improve circularity and ensure ERI continues to have a positive impact on our communities. In addition, David serves as president of the board of FABSCRAP, a nonprofit organization focused on the recycling and reuse of commercial textile waste.
He has worked in the recycling field for more than 20 years. Throughout his career, David has focused on the implementation, development, and marketing of innovative programs and policies, including convenient electronics recycling plans, reuse systems, producer responsibility programs and more.
David received his Master’s Degree in Urban and Environmental Policy and Planning from Tufts University and his Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Science from Boston University.
Christina Seibert, Executive Director, Solid Waste Agency of Northern Cook County (SWANCC)
Christina Seibert is the Executive Director for the Solid Waste Agency of Northern Cook County (SWANCC), an intergovernmental agency facilitating waste management operations, programs, and policy for its 23 member municipalities and 800,000 residents in north and northwest Cook County, Illinois. She has 24 years of experience in the solid waste and recycling arena and led efforts to pass Illinois’s Battery Stewardship Act in 2024. She is the chair of the Illinois Electronics Recycling Task Force, co-chair of SWANA’s Lithium Ion Battery Advocacy and Public Policy Sub-Workgroup, President of the Illinois Chapter of SWANA, chair of the Illinois Statewide Recycling Needs Assessment Advisory Council, co-chair of the Illinois Task Force on Recycling Contamination Solutions, and member of the Product Stewardship Institute’s Board of Directors.
