Environmentalists Everyday

Florida Company Powers Headquarters with Solar Energy

Thom Metzger — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 20:36:45 +0000

Waste Pro has gone the step beyond trash hauling by dedicating itself to making a positive inpact on the environment. It is converting 5,000 sq. ft. of roof area to a 25 kW solar power plant that will supply 120 kW hours of electricity per day, enough to cover most of the building’s needs. Waste Pro is working to have the solar-powered building itself certified ‘green.’ Waste Pro is also one of the first garbage companies in the country to use hybrid electric/gas waste hauling trucks which also include an advanced oil purification system to cut oil use. The Bradenton facility, at 7921 15 St. East, serves Manatee, Sarasota, and Pinellas Counties and is part of Florida’s largest privately-owned waste company.

Miss America participant promotes recycling

Thom Metzger — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 15:14:13 +0000

While competing in the Miss America contest as the representative of the District of Columbia, Jennifer Corey is publicly promoting stricter recycling laws and funds for advancements in recycling technologies. She has a long history with recycling. Her grandfather started a family garbage and recycling company before he graduated high school in order to support his family. That family company grew into one of the largest waste removal companies in New York. Her father and uncles still work in the garbage and recycling industry today. Jennifer is a twenty-two year-old cum laude graduate of American University where she majored in music concentrating in vocal performance and minored in criminal justice. She is employed with the Washington National Opera in the Placido Domingo Apprentice Program in the Education and Community Programs Department. Jen will be competing for the title of Miss America on January 30, 2010 on TLC.

U.S. DOT publishes anti-texting ban in Federal Register

Thom Metzger — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 14:07:09 +0000

Effective January 27, 2010, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration implemented a texting ban for drivers of commercial motor vehicles subject to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations. NSWMA expressed support for the DOT announcement prohibiting texting by drivers of commercial vehicles such as large trucks and buses. The prohibition is the latest in a series of actions taken by DOT to address distracted driving since it convened a national summit on the issue last year. NSWMA was one of the first associations to advocate for a national ban on texting while driving. NSWMA has publicly supported legislation introduced by Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY) to ban texting while driving. NSWMA participated in the DOT’s September 2009 Distracted Driving Summit. Many NSWMA members already prohibit texting or cell phone use while driving company vehicles.

NSWMA Comments on Potential Waste Truck Hours of Service Rules

Thom Metzger — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 21:35:56 +0000

The National Solid Wastes Management Association (NSWMA) has filed comments with the U.S. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regarding possible changes in hours of service rules. In its comments, NSWMA strongly urged FMCSA to keep the “100-air mile” reporting exception and the 34-hour reset provision that are a part of current federal hours of service regulations. Learn more here.

NSWMA/WASTEC Internal/Employee Communications Webinar, February 9, 3 P.M. EDT

Thom Metzger — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 20:32:37 +0000

“Environmentalists. Every Day.” Communications Toolkit Training Program
Session #4: Internal/Employee Communications – Tuesday, February 9, 3:00 PM EST

Your employees/colleagues represent your business and our industry to your customers and other people who live in the communities you serve, including media representatives and government officials. Informed and enthusiastic employees are the most effective ambassadors for any company or industry. Even if your employees aren’t being interviewed by media or doing formal public speaking, they still can benefit from having an understanding what your company does and why it is important. If nothing else, helping the employees of your company better understand the good work done by your company and our industry will help instill pride and improve employee morale, which has been shown to reduce absenteeism, lower turnovers, improve recruiting, reduce the number of accidents, improve efficiency and foster better customer service. What sort of information should you share with your employees? They need to know your company’s goals and the industry’s environmental goals and messages, so they can share them and help promote them. There are easy-to-implement tactics that can help you communicate with your employees. During this webinar, industry leaders will share what has worked for them in their companies. Participants also will have the opportunity to learn about internal/employee communications resources that NSWMA and WASTEC make available to their members. The session will conclude with time for questions and answers.

Session speakers currently include Nancy Bretas (Communications Manager from Republic Services) and Andy Schweizer (President of Ace Solid Waste).

Request webinar login information at tmetzger@envasns.org.

“Environmentalists. Every Day.” Communications Toolkit Training Program

Session #4: “Internal/Employee Communications” – Tuesday, February 9, 3:00 PM EST

Session speakers currently include Nancy Bretas (Communications Manager from Republic Services) and Andy Schweizer (President of Ace Solid Waste).

NSWMA Comments on Possible Combustible Dust Rules

Thom Metzger — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 20:22:20 +0000

The National Solid Wastes Management Association (NSWMA) has filed comments with the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regarding possible new rules addressing “combustible dust,” which likely will be proposed later this year. NSWMA’s comments expressed a concern that OSHA has included the solid waste industry as a target for regulation even though in September 2008, OSHA issued an advisory stating there was no history of combustible dust events at transfer stations, materials recovery facilities (MRFs) or landfills. Read more.

Morningstar Selects Mark Miller of Stericycle Inc. as its 2009 CEO of the Year

Thom Metzger — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 21:13:48 +0000

Morningstar, a leading provider of independent investment research, today named Mark Miller, chairman, president, and CEO of Stericycle Inc. as its 2009 CEO of the Year. Morningstar’s annual award recognizes a chief executive who exhibits exemplary corporate stewardship, demonstrates independent thinking, creates lasting value for shareholders, and has put his or her stamp on an industry. Stericycle is a medical waste disposal firm that provides business and consulting services to customers worldwide. Based in Lake Forest, Ill., the company has operations in the United States, United Kingdom, Ireland, Canada, Mexico, Argentina, Chile, and Romania.

Advanced Disposal Services purchases Sumrall Recycling Services

Thom Metzger — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 21:16:53 +0000

Advanced Disposal Services purchased Sumrall Recycling Services, the State of Mississippi’s largest multi-material recycler. Sumrall Recycling has customers and operations across nine (9) Southeastern states (MS, GA, FL, AL, TN, KY, AR, LA & MO) including Fortune 500 industrial and commercial companies, military bases, and cities and counties throughout the service area. The asset purchase included company-owned Materials Recovery Facilities (MRF’s) in Sumrall and Flowood, MS, Summerdale, AL as well as a MRF operating contract in Franklin, TN. Fifty employees transitioned with the sale of the company as well as multiple trucks, containers, balers, conveyors, grinders, and other processing equipment.

Corpus Christi Disposal Service Receives 2009 Best of Business Award

Thom Metzger — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 21:10:59 +0000

Corpus Christi Disposal Service has been selected for the 2009 Best of Business Award in the Garbage collection and transport, no disposal category by the Small Business Commerce Association (SBCA)

The SBCA 2009 Award Program recognizes the top 5% of small businesses throughout the country. Using consumer feedback, the SBCA identifies companies that we believe have demonstrated what makes small businesses a vital part of the American economy. The selection committee chooses the award winners from nominees based off information taken from monthly surveys administered by the SBCA, a review of consumer rankings, and other consumer reports. Award winners are a valuable asset to their community and exemplify what makes small businesses great.

2010 WASTEC Products & Services Directory

Thom Metzger — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 17:03:47 +0000

WASTEC is preparing the 2010 edition of its Products & Services Directory, the annual “Yellow Pages” of solid waste and recycling equipment, OEM and aftermarket suppliers, and suppliers of technology and services provided by WASTEC members. Copies are distributed to WasteExpo attendees and procurement personnel throughout the solid waste industry, and additional copies are available upon request. As a member benefit, the directory has general listings for all WASTEC members’ products and services; more prominent display ads are available. To request information about these opportunities, contact Christine Hutcherson at chutcherson@envasns.org.