Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA)

An important new report issued by the Solid Waste Association of North America's (SWANA) Applied Research Foundation (ARF) provides a number of significant observations and insights regarding the impacts of China's National Sword Policy on curbside recycling programs in the United States and Canada, and the resets that can be made to address them.

The Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA) is excited to announce the keynote speaker lineup for its WASTECON 2019: Pathway to Innovation conference to be held in Phoenix, Ariz., on October 21-24, 2019. Attendees at this year's conference will hear from recycling industry experts and innovative leaders about sound strategies to improve their recycling performance and plan for the future thanks to our Keynote lineup.

The Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA) has identified at least 30 solid waste worker fatalities in 2019 in the United States and Canada. These tragic deaths make it clear that more work remains to be done to improve industry safety and is why SWANA is supporting National Safe + Sound Week,August 12-18, 2019.

The Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA) has announced the 2019 SWANA Safety Award recipients, chosen by the SWANA Safety Committee. These awards recognize those who have demonstrated a profound commitment to improving employee safety through communication, best practices, training, and policies. Two organizations are honored this year with the Biggest Safety Improvement Award and the Best Safety Innovation Award.

The Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA) strongly supports legislation to create a recycling program for lithium-ion batteries in California under AB 1509, the Lithium-Ion Battery Fire Prevention Act. SWANA submitted a letter explaining the need for action to the State Senate Environmental Quality Committee ahead of its hearing on the proposed legislation on July 3, 2019.

In response to misleading and confusing information reported about the state of recycling in Canada, the Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA) has developed a flyer that provides current and accurate data on this important topic. 

At least 59 solid waste industry workers died on the job in 2018 in the United States and Canada, according to the Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA), an increase of 19 fatalities from the previous year. Fifty-seven of these fatalities took place in the United States, and 71 percent of them occurred during waste or recycling collection.

Recycling is an essential public service that shouldn't be at risk because of short-term market challenges. That message is the most important thing to remember this Earth Day, April 22, and every other day, according to the Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA).  

Refuse and recyclable material collectors rank fifth on the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics' list of most dangerous jobs. In 2017, the National Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries identified 30 fatalities among these collectors. This year, in January alone, 17 fatal incidents have occurred in the solid waste industry in the United States and Canada, with two taking place in New York.

The Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA) is collaborating with BrandArmor to provide an important new safety decal for the back of waste and recycling collection trucks.  BrandArmor has created large, SafetyFirst™ Prismatic Reflective caution decals, which include the familiar warning to Slow Down to Get Around. The reflective decals will be visible up to a distance of 1,800 feet at night. 

The CEO and Executive Director of the Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA), David Biderman, has been appointed again to the Environmental Technologies Trade Advisory Committee (ETTAC), representing the waste management and recycling segment of the U.S. environmental technology industry.

The Technical Divisions of the Solid Waste Association of North America's (SWANA) have voted to recognize two outstanding members and a company for achievement, volunteer efforts and leadership in 2019.  Distinguished Individual Achievement Awards are being presented to Michelle Leonard and Ivan Cooper.  Interior Removal Specialists Inc. will receive the Sustainable Materials Management Award.

The Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA) is calling for a renewed focus on safety in response to an unprecedented uptick in fatalities in 2019, to date. At least 17 fatal incidents have occurred relating to the solid waste industry in the United States and Canada so far this year, according to the organization, and although there is no common denominator for the cause of all the accidents, it is clear that reviewing safety fundamentals now will likely help prevent future incidents.

Refuse and recyclable material collection remains the 5th deadliest job in the United States, a position it has held since 2013, according to just-released statistics.

The Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA) encourages everyone to support recycling as they celebrate America Recycles Day on November 15.