We are coming together once again to fully offer our support of the Maryland Bottle Exchange Bill with libations for legislation!
Join us alongside 5 different nonprofits, 1 local business, and 1 councilperson an interactive panel discussion with some new faces, in order to continue emphasizing the importance of getting the bill out of committee and into session.
After the Q&A, we will have a small social hour and call to action, such as signing a petition and volunteering for a lobbying day.
Bring Your Own (Pint) Cup [B.Y.O.C] for a chance-to-win ticket some awesome Patagonia product.
We will have drinks from Peabody Heights Brewery!
Moderator:
Allison Blood-Senior Manager of Environmental Projects & Advocacy
Waterfront Partnership
Allison Blood leads policy and engagement efforts using data from the city’s four Trash Wheels to inform solutions that reduce plastic pollution, improve water quality, and ground truth the efficacy of policy change. Allison also manages the water quality monitoring program used to inform water recreation in Baltimore Harbor and leads the build-out of the Baltimore Blueway, a network of water trails and public access points around the Harbor. She has a B.S. in Environmental Science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and has research experience in estuarine ecology and coastal microbiology.
Panelists:
Kelly Doordan- Executive Director, Trash Free Maryland
Kelly Doordan began her new role with Trash Free Maryland on September 3, 2024. Kelly brings deep experience in the place where science, policy and advocacy meet. A biologist by training, Kelly also holds a Master's Degree in Environmental Science and a Law Degree from Indiana University. Most recently, she chaired the environmental impact working group of the Montgomery County Food Council. Convincing stakeholders to identify barriers and opportunities for an environmentally sustainable food system, she worked tirelessly to organize opportunities for community participation in decision-making and facilitated public meetings showcasing community-led projects.
Odette Ramos- Baltimore City Councilperson
Odette is Puerto Rican and grew up in Albuquerque, New Mexico, coming to Baltimore in 1991 to attend Goucher College. She has a long history of living in the 14th District. Odette then earned her Master's Degree of Science in Public Policy from the Eagleton Institute at Rutgers University. Odette's recent professional accomplishments include leading the passage of the Baltimore City Affordable Housing Trust Fund ballot initiative and numerous pieces of legislation in the Maryland General Assembly to address vacant and blighted properties, as well as to protect homeowners from predatory tax sale.She was recognized as one of The Baltimore Sun’s “Women to Watch” in 2020, and as an Influential Marylander by the Daily Record in 2019. BNI Maryland honored her with the Dickens Warfield Award in 2017 for her advocacy for justice in housing. Odette is also a graduate of the 2019 Emerge Maryland class
Nick Rodricks- Baltimore County Government
Nick Rodricks is the bureau chief for Baltimore County’s Bureau of Solid Waste overseeing all municipal solid waste operations. Nick manages the day-to-day operations of Baltimore County solid waste facilities, including solid waste transfer, recycling operations, disposal and collections contracts, bureau personnel and all communications related to solid waste and recycling. Nick has served on the Maryland State Commission to Advance Lithium-Ion Battery Safety since 2024 and is a member of the American Public Works Association. Prior to joining Baltimore County, Nick researched Waste-To-Energy facilities at ARPA-E, a division of the Department of Energy. He is a graduate of the Johns Hopkins School of Public Health where he studied Environmental Health.
