From industry leaders discussing China’s waste import restrictions, to unparalleled industry networking with a packed exhibit hall, to Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper delivering a conference address, SWANApalooza 2018 was full of “firsts” and highlights.
SWANApalooza is the Solid Waste Association of North America’s technical conference for landfill, landfill gas and biogas, and Zero Waste professionals, also featuring the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Landfill Methane Outreach Program and SWANA’s International Spring Training and Exam Center.
Colorado has been at the forefront of waste management policy and research, with recycling program revamps, new food waste audits and projects, and first-time waste diversion goals. These industry innovations set the tone for SWANApalooza in Denver and made Mile High City the ideal location for solid waste and recycling professionals to convene to share research, data and ideas. “Colorado is a rapidly growing state with a strong recycling culture, and well-located for SWANA members and others interested in attending from throughout the United States,” said David Biderman, SWANA’s Executive Director and CEO.
Keynote Speakers and Hot Topics
The keynote speakers for SWANApalooza were focal points of the programming. Prominent environmental and solid waste professionals discussed industry challenges, forecasts, and new initiatives, and engaged with the audience on how these areas are affecting operations on a macro and micro scale. A hot-topic within the industry is China’s waste import restrictions and the newly passed 0.5 percent contamination standard. Leaders from the U.S. EPA, Waste Management, and Solid Waste Divisions in Washington and New Mexico discussed how these new regulations will affect North American recycling in the short and long term. “What we’re trying to do is unite the conversations into a more national approach; no single one of us will be able to solve this problem as a whole,” said Ronald Vance, Chief of Resource Conservation Branch in the Office of Land and Emergency Management, U.S. EPA.
Michael E. Hoffman, Managing Director of Environmental Services at Stifel, presented on “The State of the Solid Waste Industry,” giving insight into the future economics of recycling and the effects of steep corporate tax cuts. “The state of garbage is good. China is not kidding; we’ve got real pricing in the business, and you will see the garbage industry embrace technology,” said Hoffman, summing up his address. Another keynote presentation brought together experts in human resources and compliance to discuss “The Growing Marijuana Industry’s Impact on Solid Waste Management.” They spoke to many industry areas that are affected: employment, lawsuits, waste characterization and collection. With the steep rise in craft beer production, the last keynote presentation discussed “Sustainability in Colorado Breweries,” where Erin Cox from Great Divide Brewing Company gave insight into how Colorado breweries are prioritizing sustainability in beer production through new processes and waste reduction.
Having begun his
professional career working at a brewery, Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper also discussed some small-scale recycling initiatives at local breweries and addressed SWANApalooza attendees about larger-scale Colorado environmental initiatives. “We’re the first state to put in comprehensive methane regulations in terms of our oil and gas industry; we’ve blocked 65,000 tons of CO2 per year—the equivalent of taking 300,000 vehicles off the road,” said Governor Hickenlooper.
With 42 solid waste industry-related deaths already in 2018, safety was another vital piece of programming at SWANApalooza. At the SWANA Safety Ambassador’s meeting, the group discussed a packed agenda of action items for the coming months, including SWANA’s new Hauler’s Toolkit that will provide safety resources to solid waste and refuse collection companies of all sizes. “Some of these companies own a truck or two and don’t have the corporate backing to put safety trainings into place, so the Hauler’s Toolkit is going to give them an affordable option they can utilize,” said Cathy Hall, Landfill Manger for Pitkin County and SWANA Colorado Safety Ambassador. During the Safety Super Session, experts on landfill and landfill gas safety came together to address the challenges of working in such a dangerous and dynamic environment.
Training and Tours
SWANA’s International Spring Training Center brought together more than 100 professionals, covering courses in four industry areas ranging from landfill operations to Zero Waste. Taught by SWANA Certified instructors, the classes combine lectures, activities, tours and discussions to engage professionals at all levels. “The conversations you have during these courses are unlike any other training I have ever taken, because they are so dynamic, and you really get the benefit of everyone’s experience,” said Christina Seibert, Project Manager at Aptim. “You could hear 20 different perspectives on solving different problems, and through that, you build a network.”
Professionals attending the Training Center and conference attendees alike participated in Denver-area facility tours that featured unique solid waste and recycling programs at landfills, gas-to-energy sites and repurposing facilities. Tours offered professionals the opportunity to learn first-hand what operations are taking place in diverse areas of the country. A highlight of the SWANApalooza tours was the Repurposed Materials Tour, where attendees braved the cold and explored the grounds of the repurposed MATERIALS facility outside of Denver.
Professionals saw how this company reuses byproducts or waste stream materials and gives them a second life by using them in a different way, or turning them into something completely new. “From the Repurposed Materials Tour, I brought back some potential ideas for alternative uses of materials to use in my operations, as well as the drive to seek out others in my community to tap into their ideas,” said Debbie Barton, District Manager Solid Waste Special Service District #1 Utah. “The tour was very informative and sparked creative ideas.”
SWANApalooza’s MentorMatch Mixer offered a platform to connect experienced professionals and those new to the industry. This networking event continued the dialogue on building the leadership skills and opportunities for professionals in the industry. While the program is online, this mixer offered a forum for professionals to connect face-to-face and then enter the mentoring relationship online afterwards. “I think the biggest benefit that I get out of SWANA is being able to be mentored by some of the other SWANA members,” said Lynsey Baer, Facility Manager at the Delaware Solid Waste Authority. “It’s great to be able to share stories and great experiences; you can learn so much from others that are doing the same job that you are all around the country.” With nearly 150 members involved, SWANA’s MentorMatch is the perfect place to pair up experienced professionals willing to share their expertise with colleagues, young professionals, and students looking for guidance or information to help advance their careers in the solid waste management and recycling industry.
Showcases and Networking
SWANApalooza’s Exhibit Hall featured more than 100 companies offering unique products, processes, and services that showcase industry innovation and new technology. During the Opening Reception, attendees mingled with friends old and new, while enjoying food and beverages among the exhibitors. “SWANApalooza does a good job of combining everything. People get more from this event because they have the recycling, landfill, landfill gas, and education—so you get a lot more exhibitors involved who span different industry areas,” said Jeff Murray, P.E., SWANA’s International President and Associate at HDR. SWANApalooza also featured the inaugural Exhibitor Success Summit, where SWANA collaborated with exhibitors to present pilot sponsorship programs, discuss information unique to exhibiting in solid waste and recycling, and create a forum for exhibitors to voice what they would like at future conferences.
Building the Future
With the largest showing to date for SWANApalooza, more than 1,000 attendees enthusiastically participated in training, technical education, safety initiatives, and information-sharing—strengthening the overall expertise and voice of solid waste and recycling professionals as a whole. SWANApalooza 2019 will head back to the East Coast, where attendees will participate in “Building the Future” at the Heinz Convention Center in Boston, MA from February 25 – 28.
For more information, visit www.wastecon.org.