Association News

Wastecon to Highlight Waste Conversion
The Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA) will feature its 2nd Annual Waste Conversion Technologies (WCT) Showcase during WASTECON 2012, Aug. 14-16, at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center in Washington, D.C.

Several other sessions also will cover waste conversion topics. Information about Wastecon 2012 and the WCT is available at www.wastecon.org.

Energy Recovery Council Questions EIP Report
The Energy Recovery Council (ERC), Washington, has issued counter-points to a report prepared by the Environmental Integrity Project (EIP), a policy advocacy group also based in Washington.

The ERC says the EIP report “missed the mark when it failed to understand the science behind facilities that generate renewable energy from household trash. An unbiased evaluation would have drawn several conclusions that the report failed to make.”

According to the ERC, waste-to-energy (WTE) systems now in place function as “a safe, proven, renewable energy source that meets stringent environmental standards” and “localities, states, and countries that have the highest reliance on waste-to-energy also generally have the highest recycling rates.”

Regarding greenhouse gas emissions, the ERC says, “The International Panel on Climate Change and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency have determined that waste-to-energy is a net reducer of greenhouse gases.”

Ted Michaels, president of the Energy Recovery Council, remarks, “Waste-to-energy is a sustainable waste management tool and a renewable energy generator with a proven track record worldwide.”