I spent last week in Atlanta at back-to-back SWANA symposia whose aims and practices (diversion versus disposal) would seem to cast them as strange bedfellows. First out of the gate was “The Road to Zero Waste,” whose major thrust lay in looking beyond traditional diversion programs and practices in order to maximize the potential of materials placed under our control. Barely had the chairs at Atlanta’s Embassy Suites had a chance to cool before the Landfill Symposium was off and running, and surprising as it may seem, the transition was remarkably smooth. It was almost as if the two Technical Divisions had coordinated their agendas.
What was clear from the outset was the recognition that not only was change afoot, but that both groups were eager to get down to business in a collegial fashion…a remarkable change from other days. Of the many presentations during the week, one I found particularly arresting was that of SWANA’s Applied Research Foundation head, Jeremy O’Brien, on zero waste economics, offering a number of local community benefits as offsets to zero waste systems costs. Among these were such factors as: (1) retaining rather than exporting the value of the materials entering the system; (2) developing local skills and processing capabilities; and (3) similar to WTE systems with which we have experience, creating infrastructure that, after financing obligations have been retired, will continue to provide a valuable service at a reduced cost...all while reducing long term landfilling costs.
My biggest take-away from the trip was the value of SWANA’s technical divisions in working to solve some of the industry’s most pressing issues, not the least of which is how to fund integrated systems in light of current and future changes among which looms the need to develop new and more relevant funding options. If such challenges whet your appetite for positive action, SWANA and its divisions have a place for you.
Live Webinar! March 7
Anaerobic Digestion— System Selection for Organics Management
Organics Mgmt. Master Class Series–Session 1
Speaker: Prentiss Shaw, P.E.
1 PDH / 0.1 CEU
Don't miss the first session in our 5-Session Organics Management Master Class Series—Anaerobic Digestion! Join Prentiss Shaw, P.E., on Thursday, March 7 to explore anaerobic digestion history, concepts, technology, applications, and opportunities.
In this first session, Shaw will discuss the history of Anaerobic Digestion and its implementation, as well as discuss and differentiate the different systems available (e.g., batch, continuous, wet, dry, etc.). Additionally, Shaw will identify and outline the key elements of and differences between systems currently being marketed. Finally, within this discussion, we'll explore the increasing trend toward waste conversion state regulations, the alternatives being evaluated, and the resulting opportunities for your organization.
OTHER UPCOMING FORESTER UNIVERSITY CLASSES
A Cost-Efficient Asset Management Approach
Presenter: Bryan A. Chappell
Water Quality Supervisor,
Pierce County Public Works and Utilities
Thurs., March 14th @ 2 p.m. EST / 11 a.m. PST, 1-1.5hrs*
Develop your asset management in-house and save! Join Bryan Chappell to explore how to develop a cost-efficient, in-house stormwater and roadway asset management program focused on resource optimization, prioritized workloads, and increased productivity. In this webinar we’ll discuss Pierce County’s Stormwater and Asset Management Programs, including their inspection, prioritization, and maintenance of assets while meeting NPDES requirements for a MS4. Additionally, Chappell will discuss implementation costs, and how they can become cost-neutral and cost-saving over time.
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Stormwater Treatment Train
Presenter: Steven I. Apfelbaum, MS
Principal Ecologist, Chairman
Applied Ecological Services
Wed., March 27th @ 2 p.m. EST / 11 a.m. PST,
1-1.5hrs*
Improve your stormwater management and water quality, and reduce your short and long-term costs…without grey infrastructure. Join Steven Apfelbaum to explore how to utilize ecological design principles and Stormwater Treatment Train (STT) concepts to effectively manage your stormwater and improve your water quality through development of ecologically and quality-of-life environments while also offering substantial short and long-term economic benefits.
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FREE!
Take Control of Your Landfill
Gas Wellfield
Presenter: David Kaminski
Senior Vice President
QED Environmental Systems Inc.
Thurs., March 28th @ 2 p.m. EST / 11 a.m. PST,
1-1.5hrs*
Take control of your landfill gas wellfield! Join David Kaminski from QED Environmental Systems Inc. for a webinar that explores engineered solutions for both leachate control in gas wells and innovative approaches to LFG flow control and measurement. In this webinar, David will discuss how gas well dewatering can increase gas flow from your wells from 15% to 200% while also extending the life of the well. Additionally, we’ll explore the limitations of common gate valves for LFG flow control and how to maximize your landfill gas flow, minimize technicians' time onsite, and maintain regulatory compliance, all with a rapid return on investment.
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FREE!
Get Schooled in Gravelology
Presenters:
Steve Jenkins, P.E., M.E., Local Transportation Assistance Program [LTAP] – Montana
& Ken Skorseth, Local Transportation Assistance Program [LTAP] – South Dakota
Wed., April 3rd @ 2 p.m. EST / 11 a.m. PST, 1-1.5hrs*
You don’t need to be a rocket scientist to know that the better a gravel road is made, the less it costs to maintain. Get your degree in Gravelology with the Gravel Roads Academy™ Gurus! Join Steve Jenkins, P.E., M.E. and Ken Skorseth for a FREE webinar exploring how to help your budget go the extra mile by using the latest techniques in unpaved road construction and maintenance.
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Organics to BioCNG –
Making Organics Diversion Work through BioCNG
Presenter: Chris Voell
BioCNG / Cornerstone Environmental Group, LLC
Thurs., April 11th @ 2 p.m. EST / 11 a.m. PST, 1-1.5hrs*
Join Chris Voell for the second session in our 5-Session Organics Management Master Class Series exploring the opportunity to convert digester biogas into compressed natural gas (CNG) for use as vehicle fuel. This presentation examines biogas to CNG technology, the financial gain associated with this system, the cost of vehicle conversion, financial incentives available, and the environmental and community benefits associated with decreasing gasoline and diesel use.
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So You Want to Set Up a Stormwater Utility?
The Top Ten Stormwater Utility Launch Failures & How to Avoid Them
Presenter: Andy Reese, P.E., LEED AP
Vice President,
AMEC Environment & Infrastructure
Thurs., April 18th @ 2 p.m. EST / 11 a.m. PST,
1-1.5hr*
Set your stormwater utility for success...not failure! Join Andy Reese, PE, LEED AP, as he explores the top ten ways that stormwater utilities fail to get off the ground successfully, and more importantly...how to avoid these. In this webinar we’ll discuss the process of establishing stormwater utilities, the top ten ways stormwater utilities are often setup for failure from the beginning, and how to design a comprehensive launch plan that successfully avoids these issues to ultimately provide your community with dedicated revenue, safe and attractive neighborhoods, ecological balance, and clean water for years to come.
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FREE!
GPS North America Introduces:
Paperless Forms for Mobile Data Collection
Presenter: Todd Lewis
President, GPS North America
Thurs., May 2nd @ 2 p.m. EST / 11 a.m. PST,
1-1.5hrs*
Go beyond the limitations of paper! Join Todd Lewis, President of GPS North America —producers of the award-winning vehicle tracking system—as he shows you how to say goodbye to inefficient paper forms. In this webinar, we’ll explore how Smart Forms not only eliminates the paper, but takes your documentation to the next level including embedded pictures, sketching on pictures, GPS time and date stamp, calculations, and bar code scans, as well as integrating with accounting and business software, and delivering itself to the intended recipients.
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