If the fashion industry can have its best- and worst-dressed lists, why can’t the solid waste industry? Some of the best-remembered persons, places, slogans, and things usually have ended up on someone’s top or bottom 10 list. The things we remember best are the lessons we shouldn’t forget. It never hurts to list them in one place. My apologies to a person or process I might insult, but remember: There is no such thing as bad publicity.

Worst Management Practices

10. Garbage-processing MRFs: Garbage in equals garbage out

9. Unlimited garbage collection: It got Sam Yorty elected mayor of Los Angeles in the 1950s

8. Yardwaste set out loose in the street for collection: The calm before the storm

7. Innovative ADC: I would have never thought of _____ as ADC

6. Landfill diversion mandates: If we pass it, they will do it

5. Early attempts to recycle by WMI and BFI: If something can go wrong, it will

4. Blue bags in the wastestream: How do you get these things open, and why did I want to open this?

3. Garbage composting: Why won’t they buy this stuff?

2. Plastic-container manufacturing industry: Trust us

1. RDF: How much per pound for this stuff?

Best Management Practices

10. Landfill scales: If I’m going to bury it, why do I have to weigh it?

9. Double-lined landfills: Who says a belt with suspenders is out of style?

8. Residential curbside recycling: It costs more, but it does so much more

7. Source reduction: You can count on it working, but don’t count on trying to count it

6. Landfill diversion goals: Shoot for the stars and settle for the moon?

5. Source-separated recycling: Don’t mix apples with oranges

4. Reuse: If I document that it was reused six times, can I multiply its weight by six for diversion?

3. Buy recycled: Duh!

2. Postconsumer recycled content: The proof is in the pudding

1. Closing the loop: It works

In closing I have to mention a true candidate for both lists to whom I have given Most Honorable Mention:

The Garbage Barge: All dressed up and no where to go; a million dollars of publicity for the landfill crisis

Richard J. Mauck is director of street and automotive services for the City of Santa Clara, CA.

MSW
Nov/Dec, 2000