The Delaware House of Representatives recently passed legislation that would establish a framework for a statewide residential curbside recycling system. The proposed program would be funded by the Delaware Recycling Fund through a new $3 per ton tax on trash. The bill now is pending in the Delaware Senate. The Maryland-Delaware Solid Waste Association (MDSWA) opposes the tax in this legislation.

These new taxes would be assessed unequally. Local governments that already offer a program to all residents would be exempt from paying the tax. But many of Delaware residents – who recycle on their own, use the Delaware Solid Waste Authority or pay a private hauler for recycling – would not be exempt and would be forced to pay. The exemption would not be offered to local businesses that have recycling programs. The tax would apply to all trash, including construction and demolition waste, commercial waste, and municipal solid waste. There would be no exceptions for businesses or schools already recycling or who are planning a recycling program.

Creating further inequities, local governments that are exempt from paying the tax could receive state funding through the program, creating situations where non-exempt communities will subsidize exempt communities.

“The Maryland-Delaware Solid Waste Association opposes the new $3 per ton trash tax because our members believe that it is not good public policy,” said MDSWA’s Director Alice Jacobsohn. “Delaware residents should not be fooled by the term ‘assessment’ or ‘fee’ in the bill. The supporters of the legislation should be upfront with their constituents. They are proposing a new tax!”

Jacobsohn added, “Americans already are reeling from inflation at the gas station and supermarket. Delaware residents living on fixed incomes – such as senior citizens or those living on social security – are especially vulnerable. Why add to their cost of living with an unnecessary new tax?”

Many people in Delaware already have recognized the need to recycle without state legislation. In fact, more than 60,000 Delaware households already are recycling. And the number of households engaging in recycling efforts is increasing every day.

Jacobsohn concluded, “Most MDSWA members already are engaged in recycling. Many of them have been for years. They are looking to increase this area of their businesses, making recycling available to their customers. New taxes only serve to hinder this on-going progress.”

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MDSWA is a trade association that serves the interests of solid wastes and recyclables collection and management companies of all sizes in Delaware. Members also include engineering, financial, and legal firms as well as manufacturers and distributors of equipment and products used for the management of wastes and recyclables. We are a chapter of the National Solid Wastes Management Association with members in all fifty states.

As manufacturers, the industry is facing some of the toughest issues with raw materials costs that is has ever faced. The attached Issue Bulletin is an update of the steel pricing Bulletin issued during the last period of escalating steel cost in 2004. This time it’s not just steel… it’s steel, resin, lubricants, coatings, copper wire and other copper-containing items, such as motors.

The linked Issue Bulletin explains what is happening, the effects on manufacturers and how this affects customers of waste equipment manufacturers.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Robert Wolfe, SWANA, Manager of Marketing; 1-800-GO-SWANA (467-9262); rwolfe@swana.org

Thomas Metzger; NSWMA, Director of Communications & Public Affairs; 202-506-0511; tmetzger@envasns.org

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.

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 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 www.SWANA.org.

_____________________

Thom Metzger • Director of Communications and Public Affairs • Environmental Industry Associations

4301 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Suite 300 • Washington, DC 20008 • office: 202.364.3751 • mobile: 202.506.0511

email: tmetzger@envasns.org



Silver, Spring, Md. - The Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA) is taking a strong step toward further reducing SWANA’s impact on the environment by purchasing carbon emission offsets for the association’s events. Carbon offsets, which are measured as carbon dioxide equivalents, are a financial instrument that offset greenhouse gas emissions from a particular activity.

“SWANA is known as an organization that informs its members about how to be stewards of the environment. By purchasing these offsets, we’re leading by example,” noted John Skinner, SWANA Executive Director and CEO.

SWANA purchased 100 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalents through the Chicago Climate Exchange from the Lancaster County Solid Waste Management Authority (LCSWMA) in Pennsylvania. The offsets were generated from LCSWMA’s facilities that recover and use landfill gas as a renewable energy source. ancaster’s landfill gas SWANA calculated and offset the carbon dioxide equivalent emissions that were generated from staff transportation, meeting space infrastructure and lodging at all 2008 events. SWANA events that are carbon neutral include the Senior Executive Seminar, the “Thinking Outside the Blue Box” Conference, 31st Annual Landfill Gas Symposium, the SWANA Spring Training Center, the North American Waste-to-Energy Conference and the Landfill Symposium and Planning & Management Conferences.

This initiative is only part of a very extensive list of activities that SWANA has implemented to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to mitigate climate change. In 2007, SWANA became the first professional solid waste association to join the Chicago Climate Exchange. In addition, SWANA has developed a carbon calculator that gives WASTECON attendees the opportunity to calculate their carbon footprint. These activities will culminate at WASTECON 2008, October 21-23, with the theme of “The Energy, Climate and Solid Waste Connection.”

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 7,500 members and thousands more industry professionals with technical conferences, certifications, publications and a large offering of technical training courses.

www.SWANA.org

Washington, DC (May 16, 2008) – The National Solid Wastes Management Association (NSWMA) is releasing a television public service announcement (PSA) as the latest component of its “Slow Down to Get Around” program. The new ad encourages motorists to drive slowly when around solid waste/recycling collection vehicles and employees. This is an important message, as solid waste and recycling collection employees have one of the highest fatality rates of any job in the United States, and there has been an increase in the number of collection employees struck by motorists in recent years.

There are 136,000 waste collection vehicles on roads throughout the U.S. each day. Too often, distracted motorists on increasingly congested roads accelerate when approaching a waste collection vehicle. Driver-education programs universally teach drivers to slow down or stop when approaching a school bus, but it is not commonly understood that waste collection vehicles are similarly vulnerable as they also move slowly, make many stops and generally are accompanied by men and women collecting and emptying waste and recycling cans. During the last 12 months, at least six waste collection employees were killed after being struck in a roadway accident. Primary causes of these incidents have involved motorists distracted with a phone, excessive speed and glare from the sun.

NSWMA’s General Counsel David Biderman, who directs the NSWMA safety program stated, “Too many families have suffered the loss of a loved one through this sort of incident. But we can reduce the frequency of this type of accident by educating the general public. We understand why such accidents occur. With some simple changes and better driver education, we can save many lives.”

NWSMA produced 60-second and 30-second versions of the new television ad with support from the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). This effort expands a program launched in 2003 by Rumpke Consolidated Companies, Inc., one of the nation’s largest privately owned waste and recycling companies.

In addition to this television PSA, NSWMA recently aired a “Slow Down to Get Around” radio ad in 10 media markets. NSWMA also is making “Slow Down to Get Around” decals available that haulers may put on their trucks to remind motorists to drive carefully. NSWMA makes the television and radio advertisements and decals available to interested parties at no charge. NSWMA encourages companies and local governments to share copies of the ads with their local radio and television stations.

To request a broadcast-quality copy of the television or radio ads, contact Biderman (davidb@envasns.org or 202.364.3743). To request truck decals, contact Niehaus (sales@niehauscorp.com or 859.331.3733).

The National Solid Wastes Management Association (NSWMA) – a sub-association of the Environmental Industry Associations – 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 www.nswma.org.

Silver Spring, MD – The Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA) is the first solid waste related professional association to join the Chicago Climate Exchange (CCX). As part of its commitment to the environment, SWANA joined CCX to offset the greenhouse gas emissions created by their use of the Reno-Sparks Convention Center for WASTECON 2007, as well as staff travel and lodging during the event.

SWANA purchased carbon offset credits through CCX from Lancaster County Solid Waste Authority’s Landfill Gas Projects. This transaction was made possible by a contribution from CDM, Inc.

“We are proud of our efforts to offset greenhouse gas emissions from our meetings and conferences and being the first association to join the Chicago Climate Exchange,” said John Skinner, SWANA Executive Director and CEO. “I think it is especially fitting that we are accomplishing this through the use of offsets from one of our member’s landfill gas projects. We intend to continue to purchase offset credits for all of our 2008 events.”

About CCX:

CCX’s goals include facilitating the transaction of GHG allowance trading with price transparency, environmental integrity and design excellence. They aim to build the skills and institutions needed to manage GHGs, strengthen intellectual framework needed for cost effective and valid GHG reduction. CCX helps keep the public informed on managing the risk of global climate change. CCX members gain recognition for taking early, credible and binding action to address climate change.

CCX is a U.S. corporation and remains the only emissions reduction and trading system for all six greenhouse gases, as well as the only operational emissions reduction and trading system in North America. The organization was founded in 2000 with a grant from the Joyce Foundation; a leading philanthropy based in Chicago known for its innovative approach to public policy issues and launched operations in 2003. In 2005, CCX introduced the European Climate Exchange (ECX); now the leading exchange for the European Union Emissions Trading Scheme.

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.

Longwood, Fla. - John Jennings, CEO of Waste Pro USA, Inc. announced a series of promotions. Robert J. (Bob) Hyres has been promoted to the position of Executive Vice President of Waste Pro USA, the parent company of Waste Pro of Florida, Waste Pro of Georgia, Waste Pro of South Carolina, and Waste Pro of Alabama. Fred V. Wood, Senior Vice President of Waste Pro USA is being appointed to the additional position of President of Waste Pro of Georgia.

In Florida, where Waste Pro has 22 locations serving 55 Florida counties, three new Regional Vice Presidents have been appointed. They are Keith Banasiak for the Southwest Region, Tim Dolan for the Central Region and Russell Mackie for the Southeast Region.

Waste Pro has grown in the past 5 years from an original group of 6 employees to now over 1,200 employees serving 26,000 businesses and over 600,000 residences in providing solid waste and recycling collection services. Waste Pro’s rapid growth has been created by building an excellent service reputation and using the latest technologies and equipment available.

Waste Pro USA, Inc. is a privately owned regional solid waste collection and disposal company, headquartered in Longwood, Florida, with twenty-seven (27) locations in Florida, Georgia and South Carolina.

DENVER (Dec. 19, 2007) – Altogether Recycling™ is asking people who celebrate the holidays this year to give careful consideration to recycling opportunities.

In particular, common holiday items that lend themselves best to easy recycling include gift catalogues, greeting cards and non-foil gift wrap. Other recyclable items include champagne bottles, popcorn tins and cardboard boxes. All these items are easily processed for recycling at the Altogether Recycling plant in a single stream of material. No separation of items is necessary.

Altogether Recycling™ also encourages people to recycle natural items such as Christmas trees, wreaths, mistletoe and even corncob pipes. Local municipalities typically offer chipping services to handle these items, and Altogether Recycling™ recommends a visit to the city’s Web site for more information about drop-off.

“The holidays have increasingly gained a reputation for the theme of conspicuous consumption,” said Brent Hildebrand, vice president of Altogether Recycling. “The giving and receiving are fun, but we need to be respectful of the environment while we’re doing it.”

Some traditional holiday items that are not recyclable include neckties, fuzzy slippers and homemade Rudolph sweaters. Fruitcake is compostable or, better yet, re-giftable.

About Altogether Recycling™

Denver-based Altogether Recycling is a Colorado owned-and-operated entity committed to working with partners throughout the state. Its cutting-edge technology separates a wide variety of recyclable materials from a single, mixed stream. Those recyclables include aluminum, cardboard, bottles, cans, newspaper, office paper and some plastics. Substantial amounts of the commodities recovered at the Altogether Recycling facility are resold to local businesses. The new plant at 645 W. 53rd Place in Denver gives the recycling community a place to join forces in the effort to divert increasing amounts of material away from landfills. Altogether Recycling is a division of Alpine Waste & Recycling. For information, go to www.altogetherrecycling.com.