Spence Davenport, Senior Director of Processing Advancement

Spence has spent his career in start-ups ranging from software companies and state-of-the-art materials recovery facilities (MRFs) to food-grade polyethylene terephthalate (PET) manufacturing facilities. He has always sought to use data to improve the recycling system, earning him a Waste360 “40 under 40” award in 2017 for several applications he created for the recycling and hauling operations at Athens Services in Los Angeles. He later embarked on the launch of rPlanet Earth, where he led teams that manufacture food-grade packaging from recycled PET as the Operations Manager. As Sr. Director of Processing Advancement at The Recycling Partnership, Spence combines his expertise in recycling processes with software to bring new ideas to community recycling programs.

Why I Care About Recycling

“Recycling is a unique industry that allows stakeholders to help the planet and gives businesses feedstock for making the things we need. It is a fascinating relationship that I’m committed to helping.”

Personal Interests and Passions

His career has brought him from North Carolina to Chicago to Los Angeles, and now back to North Carolina where he resides with wife and daughter. He’ll either be running, fishing, or playing with his daughter in the garden when he’s not in the office.

Highlights

• Award Recipient: Waste360 “40 Under 40” 
• Certificate in Recycling and Municipal Solid Waste Management from the University of California, Los Angeles

Contact

Contact Spence if you’d like to explore new ideas for your recycling program at sdavenport @ recyclingpartnership.org