SWANA Rises to the Occasion

Rebekah A. Hall

SKY'S THE LIMIT, according to the Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA), Silver Spring, Md., which recently hosted its 41st annual WASTECON trade show. Held Oct. 13-16 in St. Louis, the city known for its 630-foot-tall arch, WASTECON brought together attendees and exhibitors covering approximately 66,600 square feet of floorspace, which represents a more than 2 percent increase from the previous year, according Todd Von Deak, SWANA director of marketing and member services. Additionally, the association's membership increased to more than 7,000, Von Deak says.

Every year, WASTECON brings together solid waste industry professionals from across the county to enhance their industry knowledge through product and service exhibits, and technical sessions representing 11 tracks, such as recycling, landfill and collection.

Among 2003's highlights were SWANA's joint efforts with the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD), Washington, D.C., to bring speakers and guests to enhance the show. For example, U.S. Federal Environment Executive John Howard provided an update on environmental stewardship programs. Additionally, keynote speaker Barry Breen, principal deputy assistant administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Office of Solid Waste, Washington, D.C., discussed the agency's Resource Conservation Challenge, which was launched in 2002 to help boost the national recycling rate from 40 percent to 35 percent.

SWANA also recognized many industry leaders with awards for their outstanding achievements in the waste industry.

According to SWANA Executive Director and CEO John Skinner, “WASTECON remains a priority for not only seeing the latest in equipment, but also to network and learn the latest in information.”

WASTECON 2004 will be held Sept. 21-23 in Phoenix.