What is your plan for 2021? This is a question that everyone is trying to figure out on a daily basis. We are all constantly adapting to the challenges presented to us at this period in history. As we strive for excellence in solid waste management, we are all looking at opportunities to support our community, improve our capabilities, keep up with regulatory changes, and increase our own individual skills. SWANA is actively committed to support our membership to this end. Both National SWANA and the Old Dominion Chapter continue to provide virtual events to learn and network. Most recently, SWANA National provided an excellent webinar on Developing Landfill Gas To Renewable Natural Gas. As Old Dominion Chapter members, you can attend these webinars for free! A great value to you and our community. You can find the details on the Chapter’s Training Website regarding how to take advantage of this benefit and I encourage you to utilize it. With summer not far off, we are still pushing forward with the Region 6 Conference this August. Both Individual and Sponsor Registration are open right now. Currently, over 25% of the state population is fully vaccinated and more than 40% partially vaccinated, and there is an air of positivity for in person attendance of the Region 6 Conference. I’m hopeful that the conference will be our moment to be together again as a solid waste community. In the meantime, I continue to challenge each of you to find a way to contribute to the Chapter through service on a committee, presenting a webinar, or just sharing with others what SWANA means to you. Share your personal experience with being a member of SWANA by sending us your testimonial. Be a voice that makes a difference in our solid waste community!
Be Safe & See You Soon,
Aaron White, SWANA Old Dominion Chapter President
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Region 6 Conference
Special Announcement: The Governor of Virginia announced that beginning May 28, 2021 there will no longer be restrictions on groups, including indoor conferences.
Join us in person in Roanoke, VA August 24 - 27, 2021 for the Region 6 conference.
- Exhibit Hall
- Tours
- Education Sessions
- Exhibitor Reception
- Downtown Bar Crawl
- YP Event
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Upcoming Training Events
Collections, Transfer Stations, MRF topics (VIRTUAL and FREE)
June 23, 2021
9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Save the Date:
Annual Regulatory Session, The Place, Richmond (IN PERSON)
October 14
Annual Health and Safety Summit (IN PERSON)
November
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Awards Programs:
SWANA Members
Awards up to $500 are presented annually to outstanding SWANA individuals or programs that enhance the management of solid waste in Virginia and/or increase public understanding of solid waste management challenges and success stories.
College Students
Undergraduate students can also win up to $500 for submitting the best paper on a solid waste related topic.
Applications due July 1
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National Trash and Recycling Survey
The data are used to track trends and latest methods in Solid Waste Management, conduct quantitative analyses to guide program refinements, and other studies, many of which are published in aggregate form (no name / individual data) in Resource Recycling. This year’s special topic includes a drill-down on contamination strategies.
As an advocate in the industry, we are hoping you can help us with a survey and be entered for a drawing for multiple $250 or $100 Amazon Gift Cards!
Please fill out the survey to the best of your abilities – your best estimate is better than ours!
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Fairfax County Employee Awarded Frist Place by Lytx®
This year, Lytx® named Donald McNair of the Fairfax County Solid Waste Management Program as its First Place Winner of Driver of the Year in the Government category, noting that he always puts the needs and safety of those he serves first and has been doing so throughout his 20-year driving career. During his five years with Fairfax County, McNair has never received a seat belt nor cell phone policy violation and has not had a coachable event since 2017. Along with his dedication to Fairfax County, McNair spends his free time volunteering at the Fairfax Deer Management program. As an Assistant Group Leader, McNair supervises 15 to 20 participants each year and manages safety and compliance standards across their respective programs.
Lytx®, a leading global provider of machine vision and artificial intelligence-powered video telematics solutions for commercial and public sector fleets. The awards honor the outstanding work of professional drivers and coaches currently utilizing the Lytx® Driver Safety Program.
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Regulatory and Legislative News
Amendment 9 is moving forward and the comment period ended on April 16. The RAP membership is being finalized and will meet in the May/June/July timeframe. Recommendations will be given to the Waste Board in October.
SB1319 adds more stakeholders and discussion topics for the Waste Diversion Task Force created by SJ42 (2020). Additional topics include food donation, management of out of state waste, litter/recycling grant program improvements, and electric vehicle battery management. The report is due November 2022.
SB1210 requires DEQ to assemble a workgroup group to develop a solid waste fee schedule to replace the current fee schedule at 10.1-1402.1:1 Recommendations are due December 1st.
HB 1902 was signed and requires the phase out of polystyrene food service containers for all food vendors by 2025. Local enforcement with fines supporting local programs and/or Litter Grant Fund
HB 2221 proposed adding additional requirements to facility public participation prior to permit submission (e.g. NOI Public participation) - the bill did not come out of committee. The agency is working on hiring an Environmental Justice Director. The key theme will be outreach.
SB 1164 adds definitions and clarifications excluding certain advanced recycling activities from being considered solid waste management. Separately, the proposed budget asks DEQ to study advanced recycling and assess whether current permit programs (air, water, and waste) provide adequate regulation or need revision.
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Membership Discount
During the months of June, July and August, the Old Dominion Chapter will offer a 10% discount on membership. Use the promo code CHVA10 online or use this special membership application.
Welcome New Members
Yosef Chacal, PE, International Consultants & Contractors
Fran Gable, County of Nelson
Michael Gorham, Spotsylvania County Government
Jenny Johnson, LaBella Associates
Nicholas Isao Ochi, Darden School of Business
Robert Pfister, Meridian Waste Solutions, Inc.
Ricky Phillips, Gershman, Brickner & Bratton, Inc. (GBB) (HQ)
Shaun Robey, Bedford County Waste Management
Andrea Schnitzer, Eastern Research Group (ERG)
Kate Sullivan, McGill Environmental Systems Ltd
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Member Testimonials
Give us a testimonial about being a part of the SWANA Old Dominion Chapter and you will be entered into a drawing to win a $25 Amazon gift card.
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Safety Awards Nominations
While its always a good time to celebrate our safety successes, this time of year offers an opportunity to highlight that work at the national level. That’s right—its SWANA Safety Awards season and we are looking for organizations who in 2020 worked hard to improve employee (and public) safety. Last year was challenging to say the least—with modified operations, staff shortages, employee fears, etc.—but everyone doubled down on safety.
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2020-2021 Board of Directors |
Visit the website to meet our Board of Directors and Officers.
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