SWANA to Present Haiti Earthquake Response at WASTECON 2010

SWANA to Present Haiti Earthquake Response at WASTECON 2010

Silver Spring - The Solid Waste Association of North American (SWANA) will present its recommendations for improving solid waste collection operations in Haiti in the aftermath of the January 2010 earthquake in a newly added technical session at WASTECON 2010 in Boston. The session will take place on August 17, 2010 from 4:00 – 5:00 p.m. in the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center at WASTECON 2010.

In March 2010 SWANA received a request from the Service Metropolitain de Collecte des Residus Solides (SMCRS) in Haiti for assistance in dealing with the solid waste problems occurring following the earthquake. Solid wastes were piling up in the streets and canals posing serious sanitation and public health problems and SMCRS personnel working 24 hours a day were unable to keep up with the large quantities of wastes being generated. The SMCRS is the state-appointed agency to collect and dispose of solid waste in the greater Port-au-Prince area of Haiti, which includes eight cities and a population of 2.5 million.

SWANA responded by establishing a SWANA Haiti Response Team comprised of volunteer SWANA members from SWANA's Collection Technical Division who met with representatives of the SMCRS and developed a position paper that documents Haiti's equipment and service needs. A copy of that paper can be downloaded here.

SMCRS representatives and SWANA's Haiti Response Team will participate in a technical session at WASTECON 2010 and will discuss the project and the recommendations of the team. Haiti represenatives will include:

• Germain Paulemon, General Director SMCRS,
• Stanley Delinois, Engineer Haiti Department of Planification,
• Patrick Charles, Interpreter and
• Carl-Henry Vielot, Engineering Director of Landfill.

SWANA would like to thank Waste Connections and Golder Associates for their financial assistance in sponsoring the travel expenses for the Haiti representatives.

The members of the SWANA Haiti Response Team that have been invited to participate in the WASTECON Haiti session are:

• Victoria Garland, Solid Waste Director - Charlotte, NC,
• Bill Del Vecchio, Director of Solid Waste and Recycling - Georgetown University,
• John Pittman, Assistant Solid Waste Director - Clearwater, FL,
• Rusty Cole , Waste Connections, LLC Operations Assistant Manager - Pierce County, WA
• Wayman J. Pearson, President - WJ Pearson Inc, And
• Jeremy O'Brien, Director of Applied Research, SWANA

For more information on this session, visit www.WASTECON.org or contact Jeremy O'Brien, SWANA staff liaison, at jobrien@swana.org.

Waste & Recyclables with Dr. Adam Read

Good Afternoon Everyone,

WASTECON2010 is a little more than a week away! As we reach the final stretch of preparing for this exciting event, we continue to bring you the latest updates and special interviews with this year’s speakers.

Today’s post features Dr. Adam Read, AEA’s Knowledge Leader for Waste Management & Resource Efficiency. Dr. Read will be presenting two sessions on Sunday, August 15: Using Door to Door Advisory Teams to Help The Public Take Responsibility for Their Waste & Recyclables at 2:00 p.m., and The Role of PR and Stakeholder Partnerships in Positively Changing Recycling Performance & Behaviour in the UK at 3:30 p.m.

Adam, what can attendees expect to take away from your session/course?

Attendees will gain insight on how to effectively plan and use outreach programs (in particular door to door campaigns) to build community ownership of waste strategies and new services and to ensure that new infrastructure is working effectively from day 1.

Why is this session important to solid waste professionals?

We are no longer an industry of engineers; We must understand how to engage effectively with target audiences and design services & solutions that meet customer requirements. Without appreciation of public needs, new recycling programs will always fail to deliver.

How do you think WASTECON attendees will benefit from the collocation with the American Public Works Association?

This is an excellent opportunity for two of the U.S.’s largest associations and trade shows to work more closely together on a topic that is growing in importance – just look at the climate change agenda and you can see how we are all facing a resources revolution. As a speaker, I am looking forward to meeting people from both associations who represent my core target audience – municipal waste managers – as they are being tasked with saving the environment, protecting communities and delivering to budget – a tough ask and I think I can help.

What are you most looking forward to at this year’s WASTECON?

I am looking forward to the breadth of speakers, exhibitors and attendees. I am also looking forward to gaining a better understanding of the US waste management sector and getting to share some of my own personal experiences from Europe. Learning is a beautiful thing.

Well-said, Dr. Read! WASTECON 2010 is almost here. Are you ready? Make sure to check WASTECON.org for the most up-to-date information on speakers and schedules.

Space Heating with LFG

Greetings Readers,

Can you believe it? It's already the last week of July! Time is flying by this summer as we gear up for WASTECON 2010.

For today’s post, we spoke with Michael Cook, Civil Engineer for R.W. Beck. His session on “Space Heating with LFG: Small Project, Big Savings” will discuss the technology selections, procedures and equipment of applicable space heating projects and will take place on Tuesday, August 17 at 9:00 a.m.

Michael, what can attendees expect to take away from your session/course?

Attendees will take away knowledge on developing landfill gas (LFG) reuse projects that utilize LFG for on-site operations at smaller landfills typically unable to support a LFG to energy projects as well as LFG collection and control systems at smaller landfills that would otherwise be unable to support a collection and control system.

Why is this session/training important to solid waste professionals?

With greenhouse gas rules and regulations, smaller landfills that are near or meet the minimum values requiring greenhouse gas controls need to look at ways to efficiently install a LFG control system and reuse it on site in an effort to reduce other costs.

How do you think WASTECON attendees will benefit from the collocation with the American Public Works Association?

Since sustainability is on everyone's mind these days, I think it is very important to involve all aspects of public works and to work together to progress the goals and objectives of sustainability as a collective effort on all fronts.

What are you most looking forward to at this year’s WASTECON?

I’m looking forward to meeting other professionals in the industry and several of the other technical sessions.

WASTECON is less than 2 weeks away! We’ve extended the $200 registration discount but only until this upcoming Monday, August 2nd. Don’t delay any longer; register now.

Creating a Blue Bin Buzz

Happy Thursday Everyone,

The weekend (and WASTECON 2010) is just around the corner! It’s been hectic around the SWANA office but that won’t stop us from bringing you the latest updates and interviews.

Our post today features Cathie Chavez-Morris, Project Manager for the Multifamily Residential Recycling Program and Environmental Specialist II for the City of Los Angeles. Her session on “Creating a Blue Bin Buzz: Effective Outreach Tools” will take place on Monday, August 16 at 2:00 p.m.

Cathie, what can attendees expect to take away from your session/course?

The attendees will take away a greater understanding of how to use social media marketing tools to engage the public. We will cover Facebook, Twitter, Googlemaps and U-Stream. I will also give some information on redeveloping print materials based on surveys.

Why is this session/training important to solid waste professionals?

A Pew Research Center report identified that one-third of Baby Boomers (46-64 years old) use text messaging daily, have a social networking profile, and mainly get their news from the internet. These tools aren't just for reaching out to Generation X and Generation Y. Pew Research Center, "Millennials: A Portrait of Generation Next", February 2010

How do you think WASTECON attendees will benefit from the collocation with the American Public Works Association?

This is a great opportunity to further emphasize the importance of private and public partnerships related to waste resources.

What are you most looking forward to at this year’s WASTECON?

I’m very interested in the alternative technology and organic waste workshops. Plus, the Fenway mixer sounds like loads of fun! Go Red Sox!

With a passion for Recycling (and the Red Sox), Cathie’s session is sure to be interesting and informative! Don’t miss out on this—or any of our many sessions taking place at WASTECON 2010. Register now to save $200.

Effective Municipal Partnerships

Good Morning!

With less than a month until WASTECON 2010, we’re continuing to bring you the latest updates and exclusive interviews with our speakers and faculty members. WASTECON 2010 provides you with the opportunity to learn from your peers and with your peers through sessions developed and taught by solid waste professionals. Today’s post features Rosemary Nolan, Solid Waste Coordinator for the Tri Town Alliance and a Boston native!

Her session on Effective Municipal Partnerships, which happens to be one of the bonus sessions offered this year, will take place on Wednesday, August 18 at 9:30 a.m.

What can attendees expect to take away from your session/course?

Attendees will be able to see how 3 municipalities with different levels of service were able to work together and complete a regional bid process on solid waste services while maintaining their autonomy after the bid process.

Why is this session important to solid waste professionals?

The session is important to solid waste professionals because it is based on an actual regional experience that has the supporting data of its success in saving millions of dollars over the life of the contract.

How do you think WASTECON attendees will benefit from the collocation with the American Public Works Association?

The partnering of WASTECON and APWA enhances the learning experience while providing a more effective use of time management for solid waste professional.

What are you most looking forward to at this year’s WASTECON?

I am most looking forward to the ongoing learning experience from my peers by attending WASTECON.

Hotels and tours are filling up fast! Remember to register by July 28th to receive a $200 discount on your registration.

Landfill Development Opportunities

TGIF Everyone!

For today’s post, we spoke with Todd Feland, Public Works Director for the City of Grand Forks, ND, on his session, “When a Solid Waste Landfill Development Opportunity Comes Around Again.” Todd will be presenting on Wednesday, August 18th.

Todd, what can attendees expect to take away from your session?

The message for Public Works professionals involved in establishing a new Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) landfill or other Public Works facility project is to dedicate the necessary time and energy to complete the task, maintain relationships with potentially impacted citizens, keep people (including the Mayor, City Council, City staff, and regulators) believing in the ultimate vision, personally lead each step of the process, take responsibility for the outcome, learn from setbacks along the way, and have the authority to close the deal.

Why is this session important to solid waste professionals?

The message is important for Public Works and Solid Waste professionals because of ongoing and increasing service level demand with a corresponding increasing scarcity of resources for Public Works and Solid Waste professionals. At the same time, citizens have a declining belief and lack of trust that government and other large institutions can meet service level demands and solve societal challenges. The message is important to understand and validate the current public policy arena, and further to examine methods, opportunities, and strategies to make good and constructive public policy decisions.

How do you think WASTECON attendees will benefit from the collocation with the American Public Works Association?

The challenges between Public Works and Solid Waste professionals are similar and more resource and knowledge sharing will benefit both professionals. The WASTECON and APWA groups will help grow one another and each can learn from the other professional “silo”. Further integration between the two groups will make both professional associations stronger and better informed for all members.

What are you most looking forward to at this year’s WASTECON?

I am looking forward to seeing how well the collocation between WASTECON and APWA goes this year in Boston.

WASTECON is rapidly approaching and the excitement is building. Four hotels have completely filled up and as a result, we added two new hotels for attendees. Along with the new hotel additions, we’ve decided to extend the $200 registration discount until July 28th. Don’t delay any longer; register now so you can maximize your savings for this one-of-a-kind event.

Upgrading Your Transfer Station

Greetings Everyone,

We are about a month away from WASTECON 2010! As we prepare for this colossal event, we will continue to bring you the latest updates – including special interviews with this year’s speakers.

For today’s post, we spoke with Bob Zorbaugh, Senior Manager of Operations for the Lancaster County Solid Waste Management. Bob’s session on “The Redevelopment and Revitalization of a Transfer Station Complex” will take place on Monday, August 16th from 2-3 pm.

Bob, what can attendees expect to take away from your session?

Attendees at my session will come away with Transfer Station design ideas to maximize operational efficiencies for handling waste, as well as, ideas for developing a modern transfer facility with a limited site foot print.

Why is this session important to solid waste professionals?

This session could save solid waste professionals the pain of learning from their mistakes in transfer station design, by experiencing lessons learned from our project.

How do you think WASTECON attendees will benefit from the collocation with the American Public Works Association?

The collocation with APWA will allow attendees to check out much more equipment on the show floor outside of waste handling equipment –specifically, equipment that is utilized to maintain waste disposal sites such as snow removal equipment, storm water infrastructure and roadway maintenance.

What are you most looking forward to at this year’s WASTECON?

I'm looking forward to checking out the APWA portion of the show, technical tours and the networking event at Fenway Park.

This is just one of over 70 sessions at this year's event. Register now for access to the collocated show floor, an opening reception featuring a live and local blues band, 200+ dynamic speakers and a great opportunity to network with other solid waste professionals.

Interview with Boston Local: Sumner Martinson

Hello readers,

We here at SWANA are so excited to be holding WASTECON in Boston this year. Apparently, we aren’t the only ones! One of our speakers and city locals, Sumner Martinson of the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, tells us about his special “Composting Session” and why he is looking forward to this year’s collocated event.

Sumner will be speaking at the special “Composting Session” hosted by Biocycle with Christine Beling, Project Engineer for USEPA, on Tuesday, August 17th.

Sumner, what can attendees expect to take away from your session?

Attendees will take away an understanding of the implementation of the Massachusetts organics diversion and recycling strategy, and how it was applied to the largest convention center on the East Coast. Recycling data and a case study will be presented on organics diversion, as well as, other materials diverted from the BCEC waste stream to recycling.

Why is this session important to solid waste professionals?

This session will provide information and insight on how to implement organic and recycling diversion programs at convention center venues, along with the challenges, solutions, and benefits that come with the implementation of these programs.

How do you think WASTECON attendees will benefit from the collocation with the American Public Works Association?

Generally, public works personnel are not WASTECON attendees, though they are often integral in developing recycling strategies and programs. Having them participate will increase awareness of these programs and will help expand existing programs.

What are you most looking forward to at this year’s WASTECON?

As a state employee who is not usually able to attend a WASTECON conference, this year’s location provides me with an opportunity to participate and benefit from the exposure of a wide variety of people and information. Also, it's an honor for Boston to host this event!

Filled with rich history and dynamic experiences, Boston is the perfect home for WASTECON 2010! The Massachusetts Chapter of SWANA has been hard at work preparing to welcome attendees and guests with a homerun of a Monday Night Networking Event at Fenway Park, Home of the Boston Red Sox. Attendees will have commanding views of the playing field, where Ted William’s longest home run landed, while enjoying live music, dancing, games and raffles accompanied by a ballpark menu including beer, wine and soft drinks. Don’t miss out, register now at www.WASTECON.org.

Managing Transfer Station Systems at WASTECON

Hello from Silver Spring!

We hope that everyone is staying cool and hydrated despite the summer heat. We also hope that by now, you've registered for WASTECON 2010. This year's event is taking place next month in Boston, where the clam chowder is delicious and the baseball team is actually pretty good :) Have I mentioned that the Massachusetts Chapter of SWANA is giving away free pairs of tickets to Red Sox vs. Angels games at the Monday Night Networking Event?

Along with fun networking events, WASTECON 2010 will provide quality education and training with courses such as Managing Transfer Station Systems. Don Birnesser, who is a longtime SWANA Faculty Member and one of the instructors of this course, tells us more in our recent interview with him.

Don, what can attendees expect to take away from your course?

Attendees can expect to gain a comprehensive understanding of how to plan, site, design, permit, operate and maintain transfer stations. The course will emphasize the importance of effective communication with employees, customers, managers, regulatory officials, as well as the general public.

Why is this course important to solid waste professionals?

As fuel costs have increased in recent years and disposal sites continue to become more distant, transferring solid waste has become an integral component of solid waste systems, both public and private sector, to increase system efficiency and minimize impacts to the environment.

How do you think WASTECON attendees will benefit from the collocation with the American Public Works Association?

System operators rely upon the same equipment as public works departments to operate and maintain their transfer stations.

What are you most looking forward to at this year’s WASTECON?

The sharing of new ideas between the attendees in the classroom and during the field trip is invaluable. Even though I have taught the course many times before, I always come away learning new angles as well.

Register now to get industry leading training with 10 courses and a new 1 day workshop developed and taught by solid waste professionals.

Landfill Reuse

Happy July 1st Everyone,

We are now only 46 days away from WASTECON!! As the event gets closer, we will continue to bring you the latest updates and exclusive interviews with our speakers and faculty members. Today's post features an interview with W. Michael Brinchek, Project Engineer at CDM.

Michael will be presenting a session on Tuesday, August 17th from 9:00 am - 10 am on Landfill Reuse.

Michael, what can attendees expect to take away from your session?

My session will discuss the possibilities for long term development of a solid waste facility beyond disposal or treatment. Although the presentation will focus on the transformation of a landfill into a park, there are opportunities for redevelopment, and as land becomes more valuable and sustainability becomes more mainstream, the need to create a long-term asset will continue to grow.

Why is this session important to solid waste professionals?

It challenges the solid waste professional to look beyond the disposal or treatment unit and create a long term development master plan that will be a long-lasting resource for the community.

How do you think WASTECON attendees will benefit from the collocation with the American Public Works Association?

APWA brings together top level Directors, Department Heads and Executives to share innovative ideas and explore new ideas for sustainability in public works. I believe this presentation exemplifies this idea by taking a closed landfill facility and creating a park for public use in the heart of one of our regions fastest growing communities.

What are you most looking forward to at this year’s WASTECON?

By collocating these two events, the different perspectives from both organizations can be shared and hopefully the transfer of knowledge between these two groups can be a benefit everyone.

This is just one of over 70 sessions at this year's event. Register now for access to the collocated show floor, an opening reception featuring a live and local blues band, 200+ dynamic speakers and a great opportunity to network with other solid waste professionals.

3 Days to a Better Landfill with SWANA's MOLO Training

Greetings fellow Solid Waste Professionals!

Things are crazy here at the Silver Spring office as we gear up for WASTECON 2010. Luckily, we were still able to catch up with Christopher Campman, one of our speakers and faculty members for this year's WASTECON. Chris will be teaching the Management of Landfill Operations (MOLO) course from Sunday, Aug. 15 - Tuesday, Aug. 17th, as well as, presenting a session on "Making Your Solid Waste Operation Sustainable."

Chris, what can attendees expect to take away from the MOLO course?

I believe the MOLO training course provides a great opportunity for landfill personnel to interact with their peers and learn from others' experience both good and bad. Interaction with the class and discussion of various experiences is in many cases the best training one can get. If a MOLO student learns one thing, it is that making a decision based on experience and training should move the facility forward in a timely matter.

WASTECON offers the opportunity for MOLO students to learn, then visit first hand with vendors that provide the services and equipment that managers utilize everyday in the operations.

What are you most looking forward to at this year's WASTECON?

I look forward to WASTECON as an opportunity and a learning experience. I get to visit old friends in the business and establish new relationships with vendors and attendees and learn about new products and experiences for others.

Join us (and Chris!) in Boston for what's sure to be a great event. Register now.

Collection Case Studies

WASTECON 2010 is going to be bigger than ever in Boston with over 200 speakers and an extra two days of bonus technical sessions, including a special session on “Collection Case Studies,” on Tuesday, August 17th.

Vince Trimboli, Community Relations Supervisor, City of Boise Public Works Department, tells us what attendees can learn from this special session and why he is looking forward to this year’s collocated event.

Vince, what can attendees expect to take away from your session?

An understanding of what outreach resources a medium sized city needs to accomplish a very successful rollout of a brand new trash and recycling program, while getting as much bang for your buck. We changed from a blue bin/single stream system to a wheeled cart/no-sort system and for trash we went from one price/essentially put whatever you want at the curb to a variable rate/wheeled trash cart. Our post roll out survey showed 90-plus percent approval for both programs. While we didn't reinvent the wheel with most of our ideas, we combined several approaches successfully. To get the best use of our money, we built a program/brand which will serve us for many years to come.

Why is this session important to solid waste professionals?

This will help communities who are looking to make changes, large or small, with their trash and recycling programs. I think we had some pretty good ideas and they are very replicable.

How do you think WASTECON attendees will benefit from the collocation with the American Public Works Association?

It will be an opportunity to learn about how the two industries blend from how important proper solid waste protection is to water quality to how the approaches to market each industry can be adapted and used by both.

What are you most looking forward to at this year’s WASTECON?

I'm looking forward to learning from the best practical thinkers in our industry and using the knowledge to continue to make Boise such a great place to live, work and play.

Boston is a great place for friends and family! Bring your spouse or guests to the conference and enjoy one of our networking events together. This year, we are excited to announce Fenway Park, Home of the Boston Red Sox, as the venue for our Monday Night Networking Event. Attendees will have commanding views of the playing field, where Ted William’s longest home run landed, while enjoying live music, dancing, games and raffles accompanied by a ballpark menu including beer, wine and soft drinks. Don’t miss out, register now at www.WASTECON.org.

"Public Private Partnerships" at WASTECON 2010

WASTECON 2010 may have a whole new look but attendees can still expect the quality education and networking they’ve come to expect from SWANA events. This year, WASTECON is jam-packed with over 200 technical sessions on industry hot topics such as “Public Private Partnerships” on Wednesday. August 18th.

SWANA caught up with Harold Alvord, Director of Public Works, City of Norwalk, one of the speakers of this session.

Harold, what can attendees expect to take away from your session?
Private waste management firms will understand that there are significant business opportunities in the public sector – in areas that were once solely the domain of public sector employees. Public sector managers will understand that they can successfully break out of the long term comfort level rut of remaining with public or quasi-public entities in solving waste disposal issues.

Why is this session important to solid waste professionals?
This session will demonstrate that old paradigms can be changed and that there can be significant benefits from thinking a little outside the box.

How do you think WASTECON attendees will benefit from the collocation with the American Public Works Association?
The collocation doubles the bang for the buck. In the current economic environment, where governments are curtailing travel and conferences, it provides an opportunity to learn/experience more in a single trip. Many may have otherwise had to choose between one event or the other.

What are you most looking forward to at this year’s WASTECON?
I am most looking forward to meeting and gaining ideas from others.

Join Harold to explore innovative ways in seeking public-private partnerships on Wednesday, August 18th, from 9:30 – 11:30 am. Register now at www.WASTECON.org.

SWANA ANNOUNCES T. BOONE PICKENS AS THE 2009 WASTECON PRESIDENTIAL KEYNOTE

SILVER SPRING, Md. – The Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA) is pleased to welcome T. Boone Pickens as the 2009 WASTECON Presidential Keynote speaker on Wednesday, September 23, 2009 at 10:00 a.m. at the Long Beach Convention Center. Mr. Pickens will share his vision for reducing America’s dependence on foreign oil with strategies that include renewable energy sources from solid waste. The Presidential Keynote Session will be moderated by SWANA's incoming International President John Hadfield.

"Mr. Pickens is an internationally acclaimed visionary in the quest for alternative renewable energy supplies," said John H. Skinner, Ph.D., SWANA Executive Director and CEO. "I am sure his presentation will inspire and motivate WASTECON attendees" Skinner added.

T. Boone Pickens is the architect of the Pickens Plan, a solution to America's increasing dependence on foreign oil that he believes is the greatest threat to America's national, economic and environmental security. His campaign, launched in July 2008, has developed a following of more than 1.6 million Americans who support an expanded use of domestic fuel alternatives --chiefly natural gas -- to replace foreign oil/diesel/gasoline. Pickens also has called for the increased use of clean, renewable energy -- solar and wind -- for power generation purposes, as well as an expanded use of nuclear.

The Presidential Keynote session is open to all registered WASTECON attendees.

For more information, go to www.WASTECON.org.

SWANA would like to thank Clean Energy, this year's Presidential Keynote Sponsor.

WASTECON and Your Waste Board

Check out the recent MSW Editor's Blog, where MSW Management Editor John Trotti wrote the following about WASTECON:

Those of you who have been to WASTECON know how valuable an industry resource the annual event is. More than just a trade expo and program of speakers and classes, WASTECON offers unparalleled opportunities for attendees to meet informally with peers, renew old acquaintances, and match ideas with solid waste professionals from all around the world.

WASTECON 2009 takes place September 22–24 at Long Beach, CA, and, if you are a solid waste manager, what better opportunity could you possibly find for involving your board members, many of whom came to their positions with little or no formal experience in the field? Ready or not, they’re responsible for overseeing the budget and operations of a highly complex, costly, and politically sensitive activity, so what could be more appropriate than WASTECON for allowing them to rub elbows with the most experienced group of people in the industry?

Having served several years as a member of our local transit district board—a post I took up with high regard for my qualifications, only to find I didn’t know diddly squat—I can promise you that the most valuable several days of my tenure were spent at the annual conference put on by SWANA’s counterpart in the transit industry, the American Public Transit Association (APTA). There I became acquainted with APTA members from around the nation and learned firsthand how they approached their responsibilities.

How about suggesting to your waste board that its members go to at least one WASTECON during their tenure to get an overview of the entire field? And along those lines, what could be a better place to start than Long Beach?

Things To Do in Tampa Bay

You might know Tampa Bay for its beautiful sunsets and sparkling beaches but there is so much more to enjoy! Acclaimed for its tropical weather and colorful foliage, Tampa Bay also offers diverse attractions and exciting nightlife.

If you want to enjoy a little piece of the “Big Guava” during your stay for WASTECON, you should check out…

Raymond James Stadium

Check out Jon Gruden and his Tampa Bay Buccaneers as they take on the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday, October 19th. Click here for ticket information and pricing.

Visit trendy International Plaza for nationally acclaimed restaurants and bars after the game. You’ll enjoy exquisite flavors, artistic presentations, and a dining experience with international inspiration. Capital Grill and The Grape both offer extensive wine collections.

St. Pete Times Forum

Check out Tampa Bay Lightning Hockey after the WASTECON conference. Games start at 7:30 pm and tickets start as low as $15.

October 18th – Wild vs. Lightning
October 21st – Threshers vs. Lightning
October 25th – Sharks vs. Lightning

Tickets can be purchased at the McDonald’s Box Office at the St. Pete Times Forum and all Ticketmaster outlets. To order tickets by phone, call Ticketmaster at 813.287.8844 or 727.898.2100, or call the Lightning Ticket Office at 813.301.6600.

St. Pete Times Forum isn’t just about great hockey – they tout impressive recycling stats too. Here are some recycling facts from their website:

• The Times Forum recycles an average of 24,000 pounds of beverage cans per year


• It uses more than 320,000 aluminum cans per year with a near 100% recycle record


• It uses approximately 70,000 wine and liquor bottles per year; 100% of those are recycled


• Its recycling efforts reduce green house gas emissions, equal to taking 123 cars off the road per year


• Its energy savings from recycling equals the total energy used by 30 houses per year


• Its paper recycling program saves 576 trees from being cut down per year


• Its waterless urinals save an average of 1,665,000 gallons of water per year

Singer, songwriter Neil Diamond is performing at the St. Pete Times Forum for only one night on Friday, October 24th, 2008. Tickets are on sale now. Visit the St. Pete Times Forum website for tickets and more information.

Libations after the game?

After the game, hang out with the locals at Hatricks Bar located at 107 S. Franklin St. Tampa. Or, take the charming trolley to trendy Channelside Bay Plaza where you can enjoy a movie, martini or both! You can sing along at the lively piano bar, Howl at the Moon, or catch a fruity drink at Margarita Mama’s or Banana Joe’s. Convenient connections between the vintage replica trollies and streetcars transport visitors between downtown hotels, historic Ybor City and Channelside.

Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center

TBPAC is located downtown on a picturesque nine-acre site along the east bank of the Hillsborough River, the 335,000 square-foot TBPAC provides an environment for a wide variety of world-class events. It boasts one of the nation's leading Broadway series and is nationally respected for producing grand opera, as well as presenting a wide variety of concerts, performances and events. More than 500,000 patrons attended 4,375 on-site events in TBPAC's 2006-2007 season.

The performing arts complex consists of five distinct theaters, a performing arts Conservatory, a rehearsal hall, boutiques, and three on-site restaurants and banquet facilities. The five individual theaters at TBPAC are Carol Morsani Hall (2,610 seats), Ferguson Hall (1,042 seats), the Jaeb Theater (268 seats), the TECO Energy Foundation Theater (250 seats) and the Shimberg Playhouse (130 seats).

Performances during WASTECON:

October 14th – 19th Wizard of Oz
October 16th – 19th Hats the Musical
October 23rd –November 9th Hats the Musical
October 24th Florida Orchestra presents: Opening Night: Beethoven Symphony No. 7

And that's not even the tip of the iceberg...next time we'll go across the Bay into Pinellas.

Getting in Touch with the Local Committee

As we near this year’s WASTECON, the local Florida committee has been hard at work setting up a great Wednesday night party, and assisting the SWANA association offices with the other logistics of WASTECON – setting up recycling, recruiting volunteers, etc.

And to give you a better idea of what is going on in FL, we have a guest blogger joining, Rick Clarke with the Pinellas County Solid Waste Dept. Rick currently works in the recycling section of the dept and gives tours and presentation of their facility to local children. As a matter of fact, Pinellas County recently won 2 SWANA Excellence Awards for its education program. Check out some info on their programs here: http://www.pinellascounty.org/utilities/PDF/swo_student_tours.pdf

So check back as Rick gives as an inside view of all things FL as well as a behind the scenes look at the great work the local committee is doing as a guest blogger for Around the Bin.

WASTECON Video Premiere

SWANA staff put together the following video on WASTECON for the recent International Board Meetings. It was tough, but we were able to get all that WASTECON has to offer in 9 minutes 59 seconds (the limit for video uploads). Check it out:

Can't play the video on the blog? View the clip on YouTube at
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ikqOZjoVuKs&NR=1

Have a video on solid waste you'd like to share? Post your links in the comment field or email marketing@swana.org.

What's your MTCO2E?

No, it's not the latest pick up line.
No, it's not any of that new-fangled text messaging code.

MTCO2E is short for Metric Ton of CO2 (Carbon Dioxide) Equivalents. This is the standard measurement for carbon equivalent emissions. In the case of traveling, your mode of transportation and length of stay will create a certain amount of emissions. If you haven't already calculated your MTCO2E for your WASTECON travel, you can take a few moments and use our new online calculator. With the help of our WASTECON Carbon Advisors, HDR, we have created this online tool for each attendee to figure out his or her own emissions for travel to WASTECON.

But wait, I know what you're thinking! Aren't we supposed to be reducing our emissions? Yep! That's right. So, I thought about how we could reduce our emissions from our WASTECON Travel. One idea that I came up with is to start a Ride-Sharing thread on our new WASTECON Group site. Here you can offer a ride or get a ride to the event. You might also find other attendees who you could share a taxi to or from the airport.

That's one idea. What are some of your ideas??

An Interview with Dr. Jean Bogner, this Year's Lawrence Lecturer

I recently had an opportunity to chat with this year’s Lawrence Lecturer, Dr. Jean Bogner, about waste, energy and climate. Dr. Bogner served as the coordinating lead author of the Waste Management Chapter of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) 4th Assessment Report “Mitigation of Climate Change”. The IPCC was awarded the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize with former Vice President Al Gore. Jean Bogner is the President of Landfills +, Inc., and a Research Professor at the University of Illinois Chicago.

SWANA - Dr. Bogner, thru your own studies and your work on the IPCC report, how have you seen waste impact energy and climate?

Dr. Bogner - There are two things to emphasize with respect to climate and energy. First is that waste is actually a small contributor to global greenhouse gas emissions. Less than three percent of global anthropogenic emissions are caused by the waste sector. On the other hand, there are also significant opportunities for greenhouse gas mitigation from the waste sector with respect to landfill gas recovery and to activities which either reduce greenhouse gas generation or reduce waste generation such as recycling and waste minimization. Secondly, energy from waste (via landfill gas utilization, waste-to-energy, or use of anaerobic digester biogas) is an important renewable energy resource.

SWANA - How would you recommend a solid waste facility to mitigate their emissions?

Dr. Bogner - Well of course for landfills, landfill gas recovery and utilization, which has been a fully commercial technology now for over thirty years, is a good strategy. Incineration reduces greenhouse gas generation. Also, waste minimization and recycling activities reduce waste generation in the first place. So, I think the “take home” message is that we must preserve all our waste management options and sensibly apply greenhouse gas mitigation strategies that best fit local situations and regulatory guidelines.

SWANA - Do you foresee any new mitigation techniques which are starting to evolve in the industry?

Dr. Bogner - One technique is landfill biocovers, which is a strategy to design and construct landfill covers so that methane is oxidized at high rates before it can be emitted to the atmosphere. The oxidation is accomplished by methanotrophic bacteria which are aerobic microorganisms that naturally live in the soil.

SWANA - How would you encourage those who are collecting the waste to mitigate their emissions?

Dr. Bogner - On the waste collection side there could be opportunities to reduce transport distances, reduce redundant routes, and improve fuel efficiencies.

SWANA - How would you recommend that a facility that is working with either landfill gas or incineration portray the benefits of these technologies to the general public?

Dr. Bogner - I think the tremendous benefits are on the energy side. Landfill gas is roughly fifty percent methane. So there are significant energy benefits to recovering and using the landfill methane for direct use in gas-fired broilers or onsite electrical generation, or for upgrading to a substitute natural gas. Incineration is the pathway where you get the most energy benefit from solid waste through direct combustion.

SWANA - As this years Lawrence lecturer for WASTECON in Tampa, what is one thing that you hope that attendees will really take away from your presentation?

Dr. Bogner - Well as I mentioned at the beginning of this interview, I think the fact that the waste factor is a small contributor to global anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions but there are significant opportunities within the sector for cost-effective mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions. Thus, the sector is a small part of the problem but can be a larger part of the solution.

End

Don’t miss Dr. Bogner’s presentation at this year’s WASTECON Lawrence Lecturer Session, Wednesday October 22 at 9:30am as we continue to explore the connection between energy, climate and solid waste.

Member thoughts:
How is your facility mitigating its emissions?
What other mitigating techniques do you see coming down the pike?
Post your comments here.