Waste Generators Highlight WasteExpo

Jenny Heumann

This year's WasteExpo education program include industry hot topics and every day practicality.

This year, WasteExpo is being held April 2 to 5 at the McCormick Convention Center in Chicago. With the event quickly approaching, the Environmental Industry Associations (EIA), Washington, D.C., is finalizing what promises to be an innovative and inclusive educational program.

Although Primedia/Intertec Exhibitions, Stamford, Conn., owns WasteExpo, EIA is responsible for planning the show's week-long educational sessions. This year's program will focus on traditional issues, including new legislation and regulations, landfill management, recycling and new technologies.

The seminars will cover "hot" issues, such as Washington D.C.-based Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA) ergonomics regulations, electronics recycling and independent haulers in today's market. Standard topics such as customer service strategies, pricing routes for profitability, recycling and other sessions featuring industry professionals also will be included.

In addition, WasteExpo 2001 will feature a special track on April 4-5 that includes seven hours of sessions organized by the Yale University Solid Waste Policy Program faculty.

The Yale Solid Waste Policy Program faculty sessions will address the changing needs of large manufacturing and commercial generators. This new "generators and manufacturers" track will explore the present and future relationship between waste generators and waste management service-providers.

Speakers from McDonalds Corp., Oak Brook, Ill., Target Corp., Minneapolis, and Kinko's Inc., Alexandria, Va., will talk about how each select, manage and measure their waste management service-providers' performance. Target will present a case study of how the company has altered its traditional waste management program to meet its internal waste reduction policies, and speakers will discuss whether this is a trend other companies will follow.

The Yale Solid Waste Policy Program faculty also will introduce session attendees to the emerging field of "industrial ecology." Industrial ecology seeks to change the definition and perception of what is and is not "waste." Sessions will show attendees profitable alternatives to disposal, from computer recycling to smart labels to product take-back programs.

"As the definition of ... `waste' changes, new business opportunities and challenges will arise for solid waste service-providers - the haulers, equipment vendors and consultants," says Bruce Parker, EIA's president and CEO.

The Yale Solid Waste Policy Program faculty sessions are aimed to attract waste generators, such as retail chains and food chains and Fortune 500 companies, to expand exhibitor's markets.

"This is what a trade show is all about - exposing the industry to potential new business opportunities and to emerging trends and developments," Parker says.

In addition, the following are educational sessions that also will be offered at this year's WasteExpo.

Monday's sessions will focus on "Business Management Strategies and Practices." The day's discussions are designed to enhance operational efficiencies, and will include how to effectively use computer technology and the Internet, how to establish a corporate human resource policy and how to use new landfill maintenance operational strategies.

Tuesday will highlight "Operational Practices for the Solid Waste Industry." Discussion areas will include recycling markets and potential revenue streams, route management strategies and practices, corporate and community image management, equipment safety and purchasing options, and landfill management considerations.

Wednesday's theme is "Issues Management and Direct Impact." Sessions will focus on government regulations and their impact, the evolution of family owned solid waste operations, safety practices and responsibilities, and market development and expansion.

Thursday will continue the Yale faculty sessions and feature a day-long training session entitled, "Reducing Ergonomics Risks to the Solid Waste Employee." Participants will learn about OSHA's new ergonomic regulations, how to reduce injuries, lower worker's compensation costs and increase employee retention. The seminar also will include a "train-the-trainer" component to maximize employees that receive training as a result of the seminar.

For more information on any of the WasteExpo 2001 educational sessions, call EIA's education department toll-free (800) 424-2869.