Russell Rutkowski

Remember the Y2K frenzy? Hopefully you've gotten rid of those cases of baked beans and tuna stockpiled in your pantry. Although Y2K turned out to be a lot of hype, it did teach us that planning is critical. As we move out of our 20^th century planning mode, the Federation of New York Solid Waste Associations has organized a spring Solid Waste/Recycling Conference & Trade Show to give solid waste and recycling professionals the tools necessary to take action against 21^st century challenges.

The conference is scheduled for May 2001 in Lake George, NY, and carries the theme of "Together, We Can Make a Difference." Working together is crucial in New York, where its diverse demographic and geographic nature makes solid waste management a true balancing act.

New York's Department of Environmental Conservation developed the existing regulations in the late 1980s, and it's no coincidence that MSW landfills have decreased in number from 205 to 28 (albeit significantly larger) facilities statewide. This decrease led 62 planning units across the Empire State to develop solid waste management plans, which have characterized and quantified the solid waste generated by more than 20 million people. During the '90s, these plans continued to pave the way for professionals to manage waste in the new millennium, but it also brought us the Carbone decision, which has dramatically changed our collective ways of thinking and managing.

Managing this century's waste will continue to be a challenge because there is no one solution that fits all, especially when your customer base is so varied. Solid waste managers have a responsibility not only to look out for their communities' environmental needs, but to do so with cost-effective programs. One of the best ways to accomplish this juggling act is to learn firsthand from others who have experienced similar situations. Developing a network of colleagues, from which solid waste and recycling managers can glean this often hard-earned information, can be the key to "survival" in the new millennium. Conferences, such as those held by the federation, can offer such an opportunity. The spring 2001 conference will bring people together to address important issues, including:

• How can the barriers that keep the private and public sectors from communicating and working together be broken down? Privatization must become building public/private partnerships, not simply "getting out of the business."
• Typically, the core of recycling programs has been items that were readily separated and subsequently baled or crushed. The computer and electronics industries are presenting new challenges with continual product upgrades, leaving behind outmoded gadgets that are cost-prohibitive to repair. And while these items might be permissible to place in residential trash, commercially they're considered hazardous waste. How are these devices going to be managed for disassembly in order to recover the metals and plastics?
• How is what we pick up at curbside decided: past expectations or economics? Could recycling rates be increased with some "program tweaking"? How about making flint glass our mainstay and not contaminating it with colored glass? What market opportunities are developing for plastics 3 through 7 as a result of the latest energy prices?
• Construction and demolition debris is one of the few things that can be managed by reuse, recycling, or disposal. The path it takes depends on how it's processed and market availability. Timing becomes another factor when Mother Nature gets involved.
• Organics and yardwaste are ripe for composting when communities are able to handle it source separated. How does the extra fuel for the collection truck get balanced with an ingredient to fuel a landfill bioreactor?
• Airspace, alternative daily covers, leachate recirculation, sideslopes, and odor controls are also crucial in managing 21^st century megalandfills because, after all, siting is not easy.

The Federation of New York Solid Waste Associations brings together the New York State Association for Solid Waste Management; the New York State Association for Reduction, Reuse and Recycling; and the Solid Waste Association of North America's New York State Chapter. These three associations have come together to provide this solid waste forum for discussing these difficult issues and for sharing experiences and information. The federation's conference and trade show will be held from May 6-9, 2001, at The Sagamore on Lake George in New York's Adirondack Mountains. Contact Robin Kane at 518/736-5501 or recycle@superior.net for conference registration information.

Russell Rutkowski, P.E., is the vice chair of the Federation of New York Solid Waste Associations and the international board director for the SWANA New York State Chapter.

MSW
March/April 2001