LAWRENCE LECTURE BOARD OF TRUSTEES SEARCH FOR NOMINEES

The Board of Trustees for the Lawrence Lecture Fund would like your help in the search for nominees. All Chapters and individual members are encouraged to submit their nominations for this award.

The Lecturer award may be given annually to an individual recognized as a national/international leader and expert in the field of solid waste management, or another segment of the field of environmental protection. Recognition can come in the form of research, management, publications, teaching and/or political action, and contributions should be substantial, significant and sustained. While emphasis will be placed on the recipient working in the field of solid waste management, other fields of environmental protection may also be considered.

As part of the award, the lecturer shall receive an honorarium and reimbursement for travel costs. The amount provided for travel and the honorarium is determined by the Trustees. The recipient may be a citizen of any country. Joint recipients may be selected where the recipients represent joint efforts of endeavor. The Lawrence Lecture is presented annually at WASTECON®.

All nominations need to be received by the Association Offices no later than January 15, 2009. The review and selection process will be completed so that all considered candidates can be presented to the Executive Committee at their Mid-Year Meeting. To submit a nomination, contact Kathy Callaghan at 240-494-2248, fax 301-589-7068, or e-mail kcallaghan@swana.org.

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WASTECON 2008 DRAWS THOUSANDS TO TAMPA

October 23, 2008 (Tampa, Fl.) – The Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA) bids Tampa farewell as yet another successful WASTECON comes to a close. Thousands of solid waste professionals turned out for the three day conference and exhibition held at the Tampa Convention Center.

“I would like to thank everyone that made this year’s WASTECON an outstanding success, ” said John H. Skinner, Ph.D., Executive Director and CEO of SWANA. “We appreciate the hard work of the Florida Sunshine Chapter, the excellent papers by all of the speakers and the support from the many sponsors and exhibitors.”

While the conference officially began on Tuesday, the SWANA Training Center opened on Sunday with nine courses being offered, four of which were newly updated. These training courses, taught by leaders in the industry, give solid waste professionals the opportunity to earn or maintain their SWANA Certification in eight disciplines. This year, more than 330 individuals participated in a training course and 218 completed a certification exam.

The conference opened on Tuesday with a breakfast featuring Quiet Riot, a duo of two brothers, Bill and David Mettler, who engaged and humored the attendees with comedy, storytelling, music and sound effects. A parade of SWANA Chapter flags and a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony followed, officially marking the opening of the Exhibit Hall, where more than 200 vendors had their products and services on display.

Other highlights of the conference included a Nobel Peace Prize winning session with Lawrence Lecturer Jean Bogner, Ph.D., and Keynote speaker Roberta Fernandez discussing climate change issues and what people, at work and at home, can do to mitigate the effects. The Wednesday Night Networking Event, hosted by the Florida Sunshine Chapter of SWANA, brought a large crowd to Busch Gardens Africa and the annual Awards Luncheon honored six individuals and 24 facilities that have demonstrated innovation and excellence in solid waste management.

The conference also included more than 25 technical sessions, the majority of which focused on the energy, climate and solid waste connection. SWANA will continue to concentrate on environmental issues pertaining to solid waste and provide professionals with the knowledge and skills they need to move their organizations forward in environmentally and economically sound ways. WASTECON 2009, to be held in Long Beach, California Sept. 22-24, 2009, will expand and build on this year’s conference and highlight any changes and advancements in the industry and will have a special focus on “The Power of Solid Waste.”

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SWANA'S 2009 OFFICERS ANNOUNCED AT WASTECON

October 22, 2008 (Tampa, Fl.)— The International Board of Directors of the Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA) gathered today with the membership of the Association for the Annual Business Meeting, where the 2009 officers were announced. Laurie Batchelder Adams of LBA Associates, who now holds the title of past president, officially handed over the gavel to Carl Newby of Arlington County Department of Environmental Services, SWANA's new International President.

"I am greatly honored to be able to serve with so many other solid waste professionals from all across North America," said Carl Newby. "We plan to continue working to make livable and sustainable communities using environmentally and economically sound solid waste practices."

John Hadfield assumed the position of International Vice President, while Sara Bixby of South Central Iowa Solid Waste Agency became the International Treasurer and James Warner of Lancaster County Solid Waste Authority became the new International Secretary.

"The enthusiasm these newly elected officers have for our cause is exciting to see," said John H. Skinner, Ph.D., Executive Director and CEO of SWANA. "They are geared up and ready to carry out their plans for SWANA and I know all four of them are going to do a great job this upcoming year."

The Annual Business Meeting was followed by the WASTECON 2008 Lawrence Lecture and Keynote Presentations. The Lawrence Lecturer, Dr. Jean Bogner, was the coordinating lead author of the waste management chapter of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change's (IPCC) report on "Mitigation of Climate Change." The Keynote Speaker, Roberta Fernandez, president and founder of Planet Partnership, was one of the first people selected and trained by former vice president, Al Gore, to present his acclaimed climate change message, "An Inconvenient Truth."

Both the IPCC and Al Gore were honored with the Nobel Peace Prize in December 2007 "for their efforts to build up and disseminate greater knowledge about man-made climate change, and to lay the foundations for the measures that are needed to counteract such change."

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SWANA ANNOUNCES PLANS FOR FUTURE WASTECONS

The Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA) announced at the opening of WASTECON 2008 that it has selected the dates and locations for WASTECONS 2011, 2012 and 2014. The Executive Committee of SWANA's International Board of Directors approved three venues at their Sunday Oct. 19 meeting., which take three upcoming WASTECONs to the Gaylord Hotels, a hotel chain that prides itself on being the "only hotel brand that focuses solely on meetings."

WASTECON 2011, to be held August 23-25, 2011 will be at the Gaylord Opryland in Nashville, Tennessee. The Gaylord National in Washington, DC will be the site of WASTECON 2012, bringing WASTECON close to SWANA's national office located in Silver Spring, Maryland. The convention is scheduled for August 15-17, 2012. WASTECON 2014 will be August 26-28, 2014 at the Gaylord Texas in Dallas. Site locations for WASTECON 2013 are still being reviewed.

"By negotiating a three-year package with the Gaylord Hotels we were able to secure very affordable hotel rates for our attendees and exhibitors at three first- class facilities in exciting locations," said John H. Skinner, Ph.D. SWANA Executive director and CEO. "These full-service hotels provide guest rooms, meeting and exhibit space, restaurants and recreational facilities all under one roof," Skinner added.

SWANA and over 3000 solid waste professionals are currently participating in WASTECON 2008 through Thursday, October 23 at the Tampa Bay Convention Center. Early indications predict that this will be another successful event and attendees are excited about this year's focus on the Energy, Climate and Waste Connection.

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.