SWANA APPROVES PROVISONAL CHAPTER

Silver Spring, Md. – The Caribbean – Puerto Rico Chapter is slated to become the 46th chapter of the Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA). In a unanimous vote by SWANA’s International Board of Directors, the Caribbean – Puerto Rico Chapter was granted Provisional Chapter status during the Board’s mid-year meetings in June.
To become eligible for Regular Chapter status, the new Chapter will work for the next 12 months in preparing its Bylaws and Articles of Incorporation, as well as developing training and education programs. If all criteria are met, the International Board will vote at next year’s meeting to approve Regular Chapter status.

The Caribbean – Puerto Rico Chapter was initiated by a group of engineers and professionals in Puerto Rico who are concerned about future waste management issues on the island. With a population approaching four million and a total land area of approximately 3,500 square miles, Puerto Rico is seeking new solid waste initiatives to assist the existing recycling facilities and community landfills in managing the ever-increasing amount of solid waste.

“Solid waste management presents a big challenge for Puerto Rico,” said Raquel Cortes, President of the Caribbean - Puerto Rico Chapter. “The main goal of our chapter is to encourage and promote public policies that will facilitate the implementation of new alternatives to resolve the waste disposal problems confronted by our island.”

SWANA, which currently has 45 chapters throughout the United States and Canada, is excited about the new addition to the Association and the opportunities for expansion that the new Chapter will bring.

“We certainly welcome the Caribbean-Puerto Chapter into SWANA,” said John Skinner, SWANA’s Executive Director and CEO. “SWANA’s expansion into the Caribbean will provide training and education opportunities for solid waste professionals in that important part of the world.”

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SWANA ANNOUNCES C&T EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR

SWANA ANNOUNCES C&T EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR
HONOREE TO BE RECOGNIZED AT WASTECON 2008

July 11, 2008 - The Collection and Transfer Technical Division of the Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA) has named Gary Strosser of Dunedin, Fla. as the 2008 Collection and Transfer Employee of the Year.

An employee of the City of Dunedin, Fla., Strosser was recommended by numerous supervisors, public works directors and city managers. Strosser has worked for the city's sanitation department for 37 years and was recognized for his ability to operate a vast array of solid waste equipment. Strosser was also commended for his 14-year accident-free records with notable incidents where his driving expertise prevented critical accidents.

Donald Ross, a former manager at the City of Dunedin, said, "I believe that Gary exemplifies the spirit, determination, and pride each and every solid waste employee in North America should possess."

SWANA will recognize Strosser's achievement during the WASTECON 2008 Excellence Awards luncheon in Tampa, Florida on October 23, 2008. Strosser will also receive complimentary registration to the convention.

"Gary Strosser has demonstrated professional excellence throughout his entire career," said SWANA CEO and Executive Director John H. Skinner, Ph.D. "We are proud to honor and recognize his hard work."

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About SWANA: For over 40 years, the Solid Waste Association of North America has been the leading professional association in the solid waste industry. SWANA serves over 8,000 members throughout North America with conferences, certifications, publications and technical training courses.

SWANA ANNOUNCES 2008 EXCELLENCE AWARD WINNERS

SWANA ANNOUNCES 2008 EXCELLENCE AWARD WINNERS
HONOREES TO BE RECOGNIZED AT WASTECON 2008

June 10, 2008 - SWANA is pleased to announce the 2008 Excellence Awards winners. The Awards program was created to recognize outstanding facilities, operations and programs committed to the “environmentally and economically sound management of solid waste,” while at the same time, encouraging innovation. Award winners will be honored during the SWANA Awards Luncheon at WASTECON 2008 in Tampa, Florida, Thursday, October 23.

“SWANA is proud to recognize the 2008 Excellence Award Winners” said John Skinner, Ph.D., SWANA Executive Director and CEO. “These organizations are a credit to their communities and an inspiration to others in the solid waste profession.”

The award winners in 12 categories include:

Public Education Award
Gold - Castro Valley Sanitary District, California, Multi-Family Recycling
Silver - King County Solid Waste Division, Washington, Recycle More. It's Easy to Do
Bronze - Pinellas County Solid Waste Operations, Florida, No Such Place As Away

Collection Systems Award
Gold – City of Mesa, Arizona, Curbside Collection Rollout.

Transfer Station Award
Gold – Department of Sanitation, City of New York, New York, Staten Island Transfer Station.

Communication Award
Silver – Solid Waste Management Program, Fairfax County, Virginia, Do Not Empty Before 6 AM.
Bronze – Solid Waste Operations, Pinellas County, Florida, Recycle Reference Guides.

Marketing Award
Gold – City of Hamilton Waste Management Division, Gold Box Program, Ontario
Silver – Mecklenburg County Solid Waste Management, Commercial Recycling, North Carolina
Bronze – Maryland Environmental Services, Composting Outreach

Landfill Management Award
Gold – Texas Disposal Systems, Austin, Texas.
Silver – Department of Public Works, Prince William County, Virginia, Sanitary Landfill.
Bronze – Covanta Haverhill, Massachusetts, Ward Hill Neck Landfill.

Landfill Gas Award
Gold – Northern Tier Solid Waste Authority, Burlington, Pennsylvania.
Silver – Public Works Department, DeKalb County, Georgia.
Bronze – St. Lucie, Florida, Landfill Gas Utilization.

Solid Waste Management Systems Award
Gold – Public Works Department, Santa Barbara County, California.
Silver – Solid Waste Division, King County, Washington.
Bronze – Naval Air Station, Whidbey Island, Washington, Navy Whidbey Recycle.

Special Waste Award
Gold – Waste Management Division, City of Hamilton, Ontario.
Silver – Utilities Authority, Bergen County, New Jersey.
Bronze – Monterey Regional Waste Management District, California.

Composting Systems Award
Silver – City of Baksersfield, California, Mt. Vernon Recycling & Composting Facility.
Bronze – District of LaPorte County, Indiana, Compost Facility of Solid Waste.

Recycling Systems Award
Gold – Region of Durham, Ontario, Durham Region Material Recovery Facility.
Silver – Solid Waste Management Division, Cecil County, Maryland.
Bronze – University of Virginia Recycling, Charlottesville, Virginia.

Innovation Award Winner
Solid Waste Division, King County. Washington, Integrated Solid Waste Management Plan.

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About SWANA: For over 40 years, SWANA, The Solid Waste Association of North America, has been the leading professional association in the solid waste management field. SWANA’s mission is "to advance the practice of environmentally and economically sound management of municipal solid waste." SWANA serves over 8,000 members and thousands more industry professionals with technical conferences, certifications, publications and a large offering of technical training courses.

About WASTECON: WASTECON is SWANA’s signature annual conference and trade show. Known for being the only international solid waste trade show run for solid waste professionals by solid waste professionals, WASTECON features a large trade show, technical sessions, training courses, workshops, speakers and networking events. This year’s conference will be held in Tampa, Florida from October 21-23.

NSWMA AND SWANA COMMENT ON EPA GREENHOUSE GAS REPORTING

NSWMA and SWANA Comment on EPA Greenhouse Gas

Silver Spring, MD, (June 2, 2008) - In a joint letter to the U.S. EPA, the National Solid Wastes Management Association (NSWMA) and the Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA) commented on the agency’s draft mandatory greenhouse gas (GHG) reporting and its potential impact on municipal solid waste (MSW) landfills. As the EPA proceeds with requirements identifying reporting sectors in this rulemaking process, NSWMA and SWANA requested the following be considered:

• The solid waste sector has substantially reduced GHG emissions.
• A protocol for estimating fugitive landfill emissions should be established.
• Carbon sequestration should be accounted for in estimating GHG emissions of individual landfills.
• Strong enforcement authorities make third-party verification unnecessary.
• Biogenic GHG emissions should not be a mandatory reporting element of a federal program.

NSWMA President and CEO Bruce Parker said, “The waste management industry is aggressively responding to the challenges presented by climate change and how the industry’s carbon footprint can be reduced. We are leaders in the innovative production of renewable energy from the disposal of waste, and any reporting system should acknowledge the progress that we’ve made in this area.”

“Environmentally sound solid waste management practices can make an important positive contribution towards reducing greenhouse gas emissions” added SWANA Executive Director and CEO John H. Skinner, “It is important that any reporting system encourage these practices” he added.

The EPA greenhouse gas reporting would mandate reporting of greenhouse gas among all industries, including municipal solid waste, above the EPA determined threshold. The EPA is still in the process of developing the rule’s guidelines.

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About NSWMA: The National Solid Wastes Management Association (NSWMA) – a sub-association of the Environmental Industry Associations (EIA) – represents for-profit companies in North America that provide solid, hazardous and medical waste collection, recycling and disposal services, and companies that provide professional and consulting services to the waste services industry. NSWMA members conduct business in all 50 states. For more information, visit http://www.nswma.org/.

About SWANA: For 40 years, SWANA, the Solid Waste Association of North America, has been the leading professional association in the solid waste management field. SWANA’s mission is “to advance the practice of environmentally and economically sound management of municipal solid waste.” SWANA serves over 8,000 members and thousands more industry professionals with technical conferences, certifications, publications and a large offering of technical training courses. For more information, visit http://www.swana.org/.