The Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA) has received a letter from Maryland's Governor, Larry Hogan, thanking "SWANA and our nation's waste management professionals for their tireless efforts throughout the ongoing public health crisis." Governor Hogan is the chair of the U.S. National Governors Association (NGA).
Hogan's letter observes that despite the COVID-19 pandemic, "dedicated waste collectors, recyclers, drivers, engineers, technicians," and other professionals have worked hard "to ensure our neighborhoods remain safe and healthy." He further notes that the widespread working from home over the past few months has "created additional stress on waste management systems."
According to SWANA, data collected indicates residential waste tonnage increased by 15 to 25 percent nationwide during the pandemic, although it is currently decreasing from the peak as states and cities have started to reopen.
The letter from Hogan also recognizes SWANA for advocating on behalf of the industry and for providing critical information and resources to workers, lawmakers and the media regarding the impact of COVID-19 on waste management and recycling.
"We are very proud to receive this letter recognizing the amazing job that the solid waste industry has done managing solid waste and recyclables during the pandemic, and the specific recognition of SWANA," said David Biderman, SWANA's Executive Director & CEO. "We will continue to play a leading role providing timely and useful information and resources to employers, employees, federal government officials, the media, and others."
Information will be provided at SWANApalooza on June 23-25. This conference will include a livestreamed keynote by the New York City's Department of Sanitation Commissioner Kathryn Garcia, who will discuss how her department responded to COVID-19, and throughout the conference, speakers will be discussing the effects of COVID-19 on solid waste operations and how we can best prepare to move forward.
To learn more about virtual SWANApalooza, visit https://swanapalooza.org/.
