This year’s theme, Inventing the Future of Solid Waste Management, will allow attendees to explore and define the future they see for the solid waste industry.
The 53rd annual WASTECON® is making its way to the Gaylord Palms in sunny Orlando, Florida from August 24 – 27! SWANA’s premier solid waste industry-focused conference brings you the latest news, education, advancements and products to help you achieve success in your business, all in one setting. Come and see what’s new in collection, processing, marketing and management of compost, recyclables and solid waste. Join thousands of industry professionals for training, technical sessions, exhibits and networking opportunities. Explore a variety of new topics and expand your knowledge of what’s happening in solid waste management.
WASTECON’s 2015 Keynote Speakers
SWANA is proud to have Kathryn Garcia, commissioner of the New York City Department of Sanitation and Nate Morris, co-founder and CEO of Rubicon Global, as keynote speakers for its annual conference. “We are very excited to have Commissioner Garcia and Nate Morris join us at WASTECON® this year,” said SWANA Executive Director and CEO, David Biderman. “Their participation in this year’s event is an example of how SWANA is making WASTECON a more meaningful event for both exhibitors and attendees. Their presentations will provide important guidance on innovative public sector and private sector activities that are helping to invent the future of solid waste management.”
Garcia joined the New York City Department of Sanitation in early 2014 after serving as the Chief Operating Officer for the New York City Department of Environmental Protection. Since becoming commissioner, Garcia has focused her waste efforts on implementing the city’s solid waste management plan and launching several innovative pilot programs for recyclables and organics. Under Commissioner Garcia’s leadership, New York City streets are cleaner than they have been in more than 35 years. “I got to know Commissioner Garcia while I managed the National Waste & Recycling Association (NWRA) New York City chapter, and am impressed by her leadership in making New York City—my hometown—more sustainable,” noted Biderman. “I have watched her testify at several City Council hearings and am very much looking forward to her presentation at WASTECON®.”
Known as a social entrepreneur, Morris is the co-founder and CEO of Rubicon Global, a cloud-based, sustainable waste and recycling platform. Rubicon Global empowers independent haulers and recyclers to grow their businesses through access to national accounts and improved route density. Morris oversees all aspects of the company and has a deep commitment to sustainability and finding ways to reduce, re-use and recycle waste. SWANA International Board President Brian Tippetts said, “Rubicon’s innovative business model seeks to improve waste diversion rates and foster competition. Nate’s vision is aligned with SWANA’s mission to advance the responsible management of solid waste as a resource.”
The Opening Reception
For WASTECON 2015, the Opening Reception has been moved to the Exhibit Hall from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. Monday, August 24 and will feature a South Florida Street Festival theme with a variety of potential activities throughout the Exhibit Hall, including:
- Carnival Style Games: Look for ring toss, recycling bin basketball shoot, and “corn hole”.
- Food Truck station: Exhibitors host customized food and beverage stations like Bomag-aritas.
- Salsa Dancing: What would a street festival be without music and dancing? Kick up your heels on the WASTECON show floor.
- Photo booth, domino tables, music, fun and much more.
Take Advantage of the New Activities and Tools During the Event
Give Your Wallet a Break
Lunch will be served in the exhibit hall on Tuesday, August 25. All conference attendees receive a lunch ticket with their registration. You won’t go hungry or break the bank on food at WASTECON® 2015.
WASTECON Mobile App
The official WASTECON App will launch for this year’s conference featuring the conference program, attendee list, exhibitor list, surveys, announcements, floor plan and more. Search for “SWANA Events” in your App Store.
Product Showcase Sessions, Demos and Hands-On Activities
Learn about exhibitors’ products and services during a Product Showcase. These 30-minute presentations will be scheduled throughout the conference. Are you looking for more education and learning opportunities during the conference? Come see demonstrations and participate in hands-on activities in exhibitors’ booths or a pre-arranged areas.
Casino Night
The SWANA Florida Chapter invites you to have fun while helping to support a worthy cause at this year’s Wednesday evening networking event on Wednesday, August 26. Join in the Casino Night activities conveniently located at the Gaylord Palms and help raise money for Give Kids the World Charity, a 70-acre, nonprofit storybook resort in Kissimmee where children with life-threatening illnesses and their families are treated to weeklong, cost-free fantasy vacations (including ‘Christmas’ every week and ‘ice cream’ for breakfast). The evening features food, drinks, music, casino games, camaraderie, a 50/50 drawing, and more with the profits going to this tremendous organization.
WASTECON 5K fun Run/Walk
SWANA is thrilled to invite you to participate in our Inaugural WASTECON 5K Fun Run/Walk supporting the charity, Give Kids The World. The race date is Wednesday, August 26, 2015 and check-in is at 6:30 a.m. Registration Fee is $35 and includes event registration, t-shirt and race bib.
Safety Matters at WASTECON
Two new safety initiatives are the first of many that SWANA expects to implement over the next five years. On June 1, SWANA submitted an application for a Susan Harwood training grant offered by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). If approved, the grant will be used to train collection workers and managers in ergonomic hazard awareness and prevention at SWANA’s Training Centers and other locations. In addition, online training sessions will be developed and offered. OSHA expects to announce grant recipients in September 2015. “Our application for the Susan Harwood training grant was another important step in SWANA building a more robust safety program,” said SWANA International Board President Brian Tippetts. “A training program for ergonomic hazard awareness and prevention is what the solid waste industry needs to reduce these types of injuries.”
Biderman added that he successfully obtained and managed seven OSHA grants while at the National Solid Wastes Management Association, and is cautiously optimistic about the SWANA’s application yielding positive results. In an effort to continue increasing safety awareness, Biderman also hosted a special safety webinar, 10 Ways to Reduce Accidents and Injuries, on June 16. The webinar, sponsored by SWANA’s Arizona Chapter, Reflective Apparel Factory, DaDee Manufacturing, Golder Associates and Concorde, Inc., was attended by dozens of industry professionals. “I am pleased that SWANA is increasing its focus on safety and providing important information to our members and other industry professionals to improve worker and public safety,” stated Biderman. “It’s a positive sign that so many companies and local governmental agencies participated in this important webinar.”
WASTECON 2015 in Orlando will highlight important trends and best practices in Industry safety. Safety Summit topics and speakers scheduled are: Can We Improve Safety by Looking at Other Industries?, Interactive Interview Matrix, Fire Safety and Guilty Until Proven Innocent: Criminal and Civil Liability Resulting from Safety Violations.
Because ‘Safety Matters’, stay tuned for more safety-focused offerings each month. Each week, make sure you’re reading the “Safety Monday eNewsletter,” a SWANA member benefit, brought to you in conjunction with National Waste & Recycling Association as well as the ‘Safety Matters’ column in the monthly issue of I Am SWANA News eNewsletter.
Innovations the Future of Solid Waste
SWANA is committed to bringing you innovative sessions during WASTECON and this year is no different. Focusing on topics like Fork-to-Fuel, Digestors: Fact vs. Fiction, Smart Trucks, Greenwaste Smackdown, Cultivating a Culture of Innovation, Collection Efficiency Options and much more, there is guaranteed to be something for everyone no matter what area of the industry you focus on.
Reinvent Your Career with SWANA Training & Certification
SWANA’s industry-recognized training is coming to Orlando, Florida, August 24-27, 2015.
The Summer Training Center offers a wide selection of training courses, as well as the unique opportunity to network and share your professional experiences with a diverse group of professionals in the solid waste industry. Offering one, two and three-day course, the Summer Training Center is the perfect opportunity for you to earn CEUs, master a new skill, expand industry knowledge, or add another certification to your professional credentials.
Go beyond training and get SWANA certified! Certification exams are offered for all 9 disciplines: Landfill Management (MOLO), Recycling Systems, Collection Systems, Composting Programs, Transfer Station Systems, HHW/CESQG Facility Operations
Integrated Solid Waste Management Systems, Construction and Demolition Materials Management, and Bioreactor and Leachate Recirculation Landfills. Two exam centers will be available to help you prove your commitment to your career and the industry. Exam Center Dates are Wednesday, August and Thursday, August 27.
With all the new changes, additional events and innovative sessions, WASTECON 2015 is bound to be the event of the year!
For more information, visit www.wastecon.org.
Sidebar
NEW! Show Hours
WASTECON 2015 offers new show hours.
**NEW** Monday, August 24: 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. (Opening Reception)
Tuesday, August 25: 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Wednesday, August 26: 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. (Reception in the Exhibit Hall from 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.)