Reader Profile: Steven M. Viny

In trash, Steven M. Viny has found treasure. The CEO of Envision Holdings-encompassing Envision Waste Services, Envision Realty Group, miniMRF, and Columbia Technologies in Cleveland, OH-has more than 34 years in the solid waste industry designing, construction, operating, and owning sanitary and C&D landfills, transfer stations, recycling plants, compost facilities, and waste hauling operations.

Viny holds a US patent for the separation of engineered fuel from waste. More than two decades ago, Viny developed the original concept for building a mixed-waste processing facility: the Medina County Central Processing Facility, which his company has operated since its inception. The facility earned a Silver Award for Recycling from the Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA), recognition from Ohio’s governor, media coverage, and has been toured by thousands from throughout the world. Viny and his staff have earned a “perfect record” for the central processing facility operations, never having missed a day since its 1993 opening, and one for marketing recyclables without a single commodity load rejected over a 20-year period.

Viny developed the highly automated MiniMRF system for mixed waste processing, combining a small footprint and significant throughput capacity. Coupled with the engineered fuel module, MiniMRF diverts nearly 70% of processed waste into saleable recyclable products and has earned industry recognition as one of the most efficient and cost-effective waste diversion solutions. In 1998, Viny designed, built, and operated the Flagstaff Material Recovery Facility to process commingled recyclables, which serves as a northern Arizona recycling benchmark.

An Arizona State University graduate, Viny received the Enterprise Innovation Award from Case Western Reserve University. Other honors: SWANA’s Professional Achievement Award (its highest honor), a Special Award from the Association of Ohio Recyclers, and the Achievement in Excellence Award from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. In 2000, Viny was elected SWANA’s international president, the only private sector officer in its history. SWANA awarded him an Honorary Life Membership for his industry and association contributions and achievements. SWANA also recognized Viny with certification as a manager of landfill operations, manager of recycling systems, manager of transfer stations, and a manager of collection systems. Viny serves as SWANA’s Ohio Buckeye Chapter director, hosting seminars statewide on recycling, resource recovery, and new legislation, and assists in new membership development. Viny also has been recognized by the Association of Energy Engineers as a Certified Cogeneration Professional. He is a prolific writer and speaker, serving this year on a panel at the fifth annual Renewable Energy Technology Conference and Exhibition in Washington DC, where he discussed waste-to-energy as a new growth market. Viny also is involved in numerous civic affairs and is a recent founder of Bone Marrow Buddies, which funds research and increases patient comfort for those suffering from blood-related cancers.

What He Does on a Day-to-Day Basis 
In addition to his occupational and charitable work, Viny spends his days with his wife and three children skiing, golfing, motorcycle riding, or auto racing.

What Led Him to This Work
“My family began in the waste business three generations ago,” notes Viny. “I have been fascinated by the industry and technological changes. Every industry facet-hauling, landfill, transfer station, MRF, WTE, LFG, composting-has seen drastic changes, virtually all of which are for the better. I continue to enjoy being a student of our ever-changing industry.”

What He Likes Best About His Work
“The people who I have met in our industry are extremely passionate about what they do,” he says. “That passion has led to longstanding friendships that I find quite rewarding. I have likewise enjoyed my SWANA tenure, as it represents a true professional association whereby we all learn together and help one another. I also enjoy operating a business that affects every single person in the counties or cities where we operate. Our success becomes their success.”

His Greatest Challenge 
Changing public perception about mixed waste processing facilities, or “dirty MRFs,” is Viny’s greatest challenge. “They really work well. The recyclable products recovered are sold at the highest indexed pricing,” he points out. “I speak at industry programs. We host tours. After taking a tour, visitors are favorably impressed. Seeing is believing.”