May 2009
Maryland Clean Energy Center Launched to Transform the State’s Energy Economy
GBB Assisting in Selecting Private Developer for Annapolis Renewable Energy Park
Headquartered in Montgomery County, the Maryland Clean Energy Center (MCEC) was recently launched to transform the energy economy in the State of Maryland by dramatically increasing the number of clean energy related technical innovations, entrepreneurial businesses, jobs and consumer adoption of products and services. The City of Annapolis partnered with Montgomery County to offer access and free use of its proposed 500-acre Annapolis Renewable Energy Park (AREP) which will become part of the MCEC. GBB is assisting in selecting a private developer for the AREP. 

More »

April 2009
Waste-to-Energy and Renewable Energy : Letter to President Obama
On April 7, 2009, GBB President Harvey Gershman wrote to President Obama about the inclusion of Waste-to-Energy (WTE) facilities in the definition of “renewable energy.”

Read letter »

December 2008
GBB Inaugurates New Tradeshow Booth and Corporate Headquarters
New Office Designed for Enhanced Services to Clients
Wastecon 2008 was the stage for the unveiling of GBB’s new tradeshow booth, which was redesigned to convey the firm’s leadership position as a solid waste management consulting firm and its commitment to the core principles of Quality, Value, and Ethics. In December, GBB also inaugurated its new headquarters, which will provide additional space to accommodate an expanded staff to support our clients’ growing demands.

Read »

December 2008
Jump Starting a U.S.-based Recycling Industry: Letter to President-elect Obama
On December 7, 2008, GBB President Harvey Gershman wrote to President-elect Obama about the untapped opportunities for significant job creation in the solid waste/recycling field, and the role that economic incentives might play in building employment in this industry. We encourage you to also submit your comments to www.change.gov and/or to Harvey Gershman at hgershman@gbbinc.com

Read »

October 2008
Fuel Savings and Reduction of Operating Expenses Prompt Communities to Go High-Tech
FleetRoute™ Adopted by Cities with 15,000 to 233,000 homes to service: Stillwater, OK, and Baltimore, MD

The Cities of Baltimore, MD, and Stillwater, OK, don’t have much in common, but when it comes to routing their fleet of refuse / recyclable collection trucks, they both opted to go high-tech with GBB and FleetRoute™ route optimization software.

Read Story »

September 2008
Annual NRC "Duck Soup" Softball Game a Great Success in Pittsburgh!

The annual "Duck Soup" softball game was held September 23, 2008, in Pittsburgh, PA, during the National Recycling Coalition's 27th Congress and Expo. The event, sponsored by GBB and Covanta Energy, was once again a great success and highly appreciated by all involved. Spectators and players alike got the opportunity to take a break and join in this networking and social opportunity. The friendly competition was played in the fun "Duck Soup" tournament format, where the rules change from inning to inning.

Pictures and Duck Soup Rules »

June 2008
GBB Completes Maui County’s Draft Integrated Solid Waste Management Plan
Aiming at 60% Diversion Rate from Current 36%

In mid-May, Maui County’s draft Integrated Solid Waste Management Plan was completed and made available to the public. The Plan is the result of 10 months of concerted effort by the County’s Department of Environmental Management and Solid Waste Division, the Solid Waste Resource Advisory Committee (SWRAC), and GBB. A series of public hearings will be held over the summer before the Plan is revised, if necessary, and submitted to the Hawaii Department of Health for final approval.

Complete Plan »
"Maui draft solid waste plan available for review"
Honolulu Advertiser »
"Plan to reduce waste in landfills"
The Maui News »

June 2008
Santa Monica Approves Public/Private Partnership Concept for Transfer and Recycling Services
GBB-Recommended Partnership Expected to Improve Infrastructures and Increase Diversion Rate

The Mayor and City Council of Santa Monica, CA, conceptually approved a public/private partnership for transfer and recycling services that will help the City increase diversion rates and improve its infrastructure for handling solid waste and recyclables.  The unanimous approval of GBB’s recommendations, which were presented at the May 22, 2008 City Council meeting, triggers the next stage of negotiations based on the current Preliminary Term Sheet.

Press Release »
Streaming video of GBB’s presentation to council »
(select item 8-B and click “GO” for presentation)
Detailed City Staff Report »

March 2008
New Transfer Station to be Built in Charles County, MD
GBB Assisting with Procurement Process of Turnkey Construction Project

Following GBB’s study on the feasibility of developing a transfer station at Charles County’s existing landfill and contracting for operation, transport, and disposal services, the County has elected to move forward with the procurement process for the turnkey construction of a transfer station.

Details »

February 2008
Planning for Future Programs and Evaluating Current Initiatives
Wake County, NC, Construction & Demolition Waste Assessment Updated by GBB

During the fall of 2007, GBB completed a strategic review of the handling, recycling and disposal of construction waste and demolition debris (C&D) generated in Wake County, NC, the second-most populous County in North Carolina with more than 817,000 residents.

As part of the assignment, funded by the County and the City of Raleigh, GBB interviewed private sector participants in the C&D industry, including commercial generators, demolition contractors, haulers, C&D recyclers and public sector entities. GBB also reviewed C&D waste generated, disposed and recycled in the County and provided information on the collection and disposal system, including permitted capacity, recycling system tipping fees and C&D landfill costs.

Additionally, GBB researched and provided benchmark information on other communities that have successful C&D monitoring and/or reporting programs, with and without regulatory requirements. The draft report, presented in late January 2008, included key requirements and impacts of several C&D recycling model ordinances used around the country.

“GBB’s assessment will provide us with a better understanding of the generation, disposal and diversion of C&D materials in Wake County,” said Jim Reynolds, Solid Waste Director for Wake County. “The information gathered will be used to evaluate current C&D initiatives and to plan for future programs.”

GBB Press Release »

January 2008
Rivanna Solid Waste Authority Holding Community Meetings
GBB Assisting Authority with Strategic Plan

In August 2007, GBB was selected by the Rivanna Solid Waste Authority (RSWA) to assist with the strategic planning process to examine solid waste and recycling services in the RSWA service area and explore improvements to the Authority's facilities and services that the public will support. During community meetings on November 15 and December 4, GBB staff presented the findings of their assessment and discussed a number of options for improving the trash and recycling system in the Authority's service area.

More Information, Presentation, Video and Press Release »
GBB Press Release »

December 2007
GBB to Assist Cayman Islands with Waste-to-Energy and Solid Waste Management Planning
Expertise in Unique Issues of Island Communities a Key Factor in GBB’s Selection

GBB has contracted with the Cayman Islands Government’s Department of Environmental Health to provide incineration / Waste-to-Energy and Solid Waste Management Consulting Services.

Details and Press Release »

November 2007
GBB Team Expands

Chace Anderson Named GBB Vice President Chace Anderson, a GBB Principal Associate since February 2006, has been named GBB Vice President. He has over 20 years of experience in the solid waste management field, including serving as Deputy Director of Public Works heading the Division of Waste Management and the Division of Fleet for Metro Nashville, and as Solid Waste Administrator for the Rivanna Solid Waste Authority in Virginia. Before joining the public sector, he owned a recycling collection company based in Virginia in the 1980s and ‘90s. Mr. Anderson has a Bachelors degree in Political Science from the University of Maryland, College Park. He is based on the West Coast.

Michelle Minstrell Joins GBB as Project Manager Michelle Minstrell has joined GBB as Project Manager. She has over 12 years of professional experience in recycling and solid waste management and a total of more than 23 years of community involvement in recycling. She has worked in the public sector for town and county governments and educational institutions, for non-profit organizations, and for the private sector. Michelle has a B.S., Environmental Science and B.A., Environmental Studies from the Evergreen State College in Olympia, WA. Margaret Eldridge Returns to GBB as Sr. Project Manager Back from having two children and successfully getting through those early years of motherhood, Margaret Eldridge returns to GBB as Senior Project Manager after a 3-year hiatus. She initially joined GBB in 2000 from Arlington County, Virginia's Department of Environmental Services. She has over 12 years of experience in recycling, waste reduction, and solid waste management. She has worked in strategic planning, solid and hazardous waste management, contract management, environmental education, events planning, and public relations. Margaret has a B.A., Communication and Environmental Studies, from Virginia Tech.

September 2007
Baton Rouge Wins 2007 Outstanding Public Education Award from NRC
GBB Assisted with Strategic Planning and Implementation of State-of-the-Art Recycling Program

Susan Hamilton, Director of Recycling for East Baton Rouge Parish, with Harvey Gershman, GBB President.

On September 17, 2007, the National Recycling Coalition (NRC) presented the Beth Brown Boettner Award for Outstanding Public Education to the East Baton Rouge Recycling Office. Gershman, Brickner & Bratton, Inc. is proud to be associated with Baton Rouge, having assisted with strategic planning and program implementation since 2004, and congratulates them!

Press Release »
Featured Projects: Baton Rouge Implements
State-of-the-Art Single Stream Recycling Program »
Recycling Office of East Baton Rouge Parish »

September 2007
GBB Wins Thoth Award Certificate of Excellence for Corporate Brochure

On September 20, 2007, the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) presented the Thoth Award Certificate of Excellence, in the brochure category, to Gershman, Brickner & Bratton, Inc. and the firms that contributed to the production of the brochure: MillerCox Design and Atwater Communications. The Thoth Awards (pronounced "Tot") are named for the Egyptian god of information and communication.

Download Corporate Brochure »
Request Hardcopy »

July 2007
GBB Takes County of Maui Group on West Coast Tour of Solid Waste Facilities

In july 2007, GBB led a tour for 17 people from the County of Maui, Hawai’i, on an eight-day tour of West Coast solid waste facilities. The tour group was made up of citizens from the Solid Waste Resource and Advisory Committee (SWRAC), members of Maui County Mayor Charmaine Tavares’ administration, and staff members of the Hawai’i Department of Environmental Management.

Read More »

May 2007
Supreme Court Rules on Flow Control Ordinances
GBB Can Assist Communities in Planning / Implementing Flow Control Programs

On April 30, 2007, the Chief Justice delivered the opinion of the Supreme Court with respect to United Haulers Association, Inc., et al. V. Oneida-Herkimer Solid Waste Management Authority et al.. The ruling’s implications are bound to interest most public-sector entities.

More Information »

February 2007
Connecticut Resources Recovery Authority (CRRA) Publishes GBB Report
Meeting the Challenge -- Ensuring Capacity for Connecticut's Municipal Solid Waste and Recyclables in Changing Market Conditions

Read Report »
CRRA Website »

January 2007
Maryland-based Office Paper Systems, Inc. Celebrates 15 Years of Operations
GBB Assists in Project Development, Financing and Marketing of State-of-the-Art MRF

Office Paper Systems, Inc. (OPS) is celebrating, in 2007, 15 years of operations as a comprehensive solution to the needs of business, government and residential customers throughout the entire Washington-Baltimore region. The growing state-of-the-art Materials Recovery Facility provides cost-effective recycling programs and secure disposal of sensitive documents. It has become the largest mixed-paper recycling system in the region, with one of the highest throughput capacities in the United States (200,000 tons per year). Through its contract for residential mixed paper processing and marketing with Montgomery County, MD, OPS has helped increase the county’s diversion rate to more than 50%.

GBB's assistance from the beginning included project development, contracting, product marketing, project feasibility report for revenue bond financing, and meetings with investors.  GBB continues to serve as Project Consultant and conducts an annual performance and financial audit of the facility including: quantities, prices and sources of material to be processed; quantities, prices and grades of recovered materials shipped; facility operations and maintenance elements; and review and concurrence in the annual budget.

“GBB was with us every step of the way as we bid to develop a residential mixed paper processing facility for Montgomery County. Once OPS was selected as the contractor, we relied on GBB’s extensive expertise in solid waste management to negotiate contracts and build and finance the facility. I’m happy to say the entire process went smoothly, in large part due to GBB’s hard work, experience in the industry, and ability to provide the precise services we needed.”

Ron Anderson
President
Office Paper Systems, Inc.

October 2006
Annual NRC "Duck Soup" Softball Game a Great Success!

The annual "Duck Soup" softball game was held Tuesday, October 24, 2006, at Garr Field in Chastain Park, Atlanta, during the National Recycling Coalition's 25th Congress and Expo.

The event, sponsored by Gershman, Brickner & Bratton, Inc. and Environmental Packaging International, was once again a great success despite the unusually cold weather in Atlanta. Spectators and players alike got the opportunity to take a break and join in this networking and social event. The friendly competition was played in the fun "Duck Soup" tournament format, where the rules change from inning to inning.

Thanks to all the participants! We hope to see you at next year's event in Denver!

See Pictures and Rules »

April 2006
"From Waste to Success: Saving District Energy in Nashville."
District Energy Magazine Publishes Article by Harvey Gershman, GBB President

The Second Quarter 2006 Edition of District Energy Magazine features an article by Harvey Gershman, GBB President, entitled "From Waste to Success: Saving District Energy in Nashville." The feature highlights the City of Nashville's District Energy System, one of the most successful in North America.

Read Article from District Energy Magazine »
Nashville DES Study and Implementation »
Selected GBB District Energy Projects Experience »
Harvey Gershman's profile »
Metro Nashville DES Home Page »

April 2006
GBB Assists Fauquier County, VA, in Procurement Process for Contractor to Design/Build New C&D Processing System

On April 4, 2006, Fauquier County, VA, working with GBB, issued a request for proposals (RFP) for a mixed C&D recycling plant.

The County, located about 50 miles southwest of Washington, D.C., seeks to partner with a qualified private contractor to turnkey the design/build of the new C&D processing system located adjacent to the C&D landfill (to close in the spring of 2007) and the MSW landfill. The waste stream consists of approximately 100,000 tons per year of Mixed C&D waste for ultimate recovery/recycling.

Proposers were required to have a proven track record of C&D waste processing equipment experience including field installation, startup/testing, and operations. In addition, Proposers had to demonstrate a reliable financial standing, and strong record of safety and environmental compliance. Fauquier County Request for Proposals (RFP) # 76-06sm requested Proposers to present an integrated approach to managing the C&D waste stream including the discussion of a possible rapid start-up of a temporary processing system, grinding of residuals into ADC, alternatives and additional costs to increase the recycling rate, and discussion of contractor versus County operations.

An on-site pre-proposal meeting was held on April 18, 2006, and sealed proposals were due May 18, 2006. GBB is assisting the County in the selection of a contractor.

Read Article from Recycling Today »
GBB C&D Project Descriptions »

March 2006
Nashville Mayor Highlights GBB's Contribution to Successful Demolition of Former Waste-to-Energy Plant

In late March 2006, the mayor of Nashville, TN, personally welcomed attendees of the National Demolition Association's Annual Convention to that city and commented on the professional job they did on a prominent Music City project.

Mayor Bill Purcell thanked the demolition industry for the professional manner in which it demolished the city’s former waste-to-energy plant earlier this decade and then recycled 98.5% of the resulting materials.

Purcell said the city’s goal from the outset was for the project to be “clean and lean and green,” and that the city government, along with GBB and five contractors, was able to meet that goal.

The project, budgeted for $2.4 million, was completed for a net cost of just $115,000 after the sale of materials and equipment. “That was a lot of hard work by a lot of people,” Purcell told NDA convention attendees.

Read Article from Recycling Today »

February 2006
Nashville Project Recognized with 2005 Public-Private Partnership Award
GBB President Harvey Gershman Accepts Award as Metro Nashville’s Project Administrator

The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County (Metro) is recognized with a prestigious award by the National Council for Public-Private Partnerships (NCPPP) for its successful partnership with Constellation Energy Projects & Services Group (CEPS) in development of a new District Energy System (DES). GBB President Harvey Gershman, DES Project Administrator, accepted the award on behalf of Metro during an awards banquet held on November 16, 2005, in Alexandria, VA.

Read Press Release »

January 2006
GBB Completes Survey for Construction Materials Recycling Association
Concrete is the Most Recycled Material in North America, by Weight

The Construction Materials Recycling Association (CMRA) released, in 2006, the results of a survey that was sent to all CMRA recycling members and 950 other C&D recyclers. GBB compiled the data and combined it with its own information on the C&D industry. The survey was the first scientific attempt to determine how much concrete is recycled since 1997.

The study shows that concrete/asphalt recyclers recovered as much as 140 million tons of concrete and at least 15 million tons of asphalt in 2005, making concrete the most recycled material in North America by weight. In addition, it was estimated that the approximately 250 mixed construction and demolition recycling plants in the United States annually recover 28 million tons of materials. The survey also found recycling rates for the two types of plants are equally impressive. Concrete/asphalt recycling plants recycle 99 percent of what they take in, and for the difficult mixed C&D recycling plants, they are recovering 71 percent of their C&D feedstock.

Read Article from Construction and Demolition Recycling »

Harvey Gershman, GBB President, Appointed to Serve on National Recycling Coalition’s Policy Committee

To position the National Recycling Coalition (NRC) as a leader on issues vital to recycling’s future, the NRC board of directors has established a committee to coordinate its policy development process. NRC board president Ben Walker has appointed four individuals to serve on the policy committee in 2006: Harvey Gershman (GBB President), NRC board members Stephen Bantillo (City of San Jose, CA and Policy Committee Chair), George Dreckmann (City of Madison, WI), and long-time NRC member Catherine Wilt (University of Tennessee).

The committee has identified three priority issues for the Coalition (product stewardship, organics diversion, and recycling program design) and looks forward to crafting sound policy positions that further the NRC’s mission to maximize recycling.

Visit NRC's Website »

Arbitrator Awards MRF $5.2 Million Based on GBB’s Report and Testimony

In 2005, GBB was hired to provide expert opinion services and arbitration proceeding support in a contractual dispute between California Waste Solutions, Inc. (CWS), a Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) owner/operator, and the City of San Jose, California’s contracted service provider for residential waste and recyclables, Norcal Waste Systems. In preparation for deposition and testimony before an arbitrator, GBB analyzed hundreds of documents including manuals, financial records, correspondence, delivery records, and reports provided by other consultants; provided expert opinion as to the net present value of estimated damages already incurred and forecasted potential future damages through the remaining term of the contract. GBB’s work included an on-site tour, observations, and review of procedures and equipment usage vs. rated capacity. GBB gave a deposition and also testified before the arbitrator regarding its expert report findings. The arbitrator recently awarded CWS $5.2 million based on GBB’s report and testimony.

Read Article from Mercury News »
GBB Expert Witness Project Descriptions »

GBB Makes Recommendations Aimed at Achieving a 50%+ Reduction in Litter in New Jersey

In early 2005, GBB completed and presented a report to the New Jersey Clean Communities Council (NJCCC) on a comprehensive visible litter survey performed in 2004. The main finding of the survey is that while New Jersey’s overall litter rates are close to the national average, they are significantly higher for urban streets as opposed to freeways/rural roadways.

GBB’s report recommends that a media-based litter reduction program be implemented in New Jersey with the goal of achieving a 50% or more reduction in litter. The program should initially focus on reducing deliberate littering along urban streets and target people between the ages of 6 and 24. Subsequently, the focus should be expanded to target people between 11 and 44, the group that does most of the urban street accidental littering.

See Press Release »
See Report on NJCCC Web site »
Read more about GBB Litter Survey Experience »

In picture from left to right: John Schaffer, DES General Manager for Constellation Energy; Greg Jarosinski, President of Constellation Energy; Nashville Mayor Bill Purcell; and Harvey Gershman, President of GBB.

Congratulations to Metro Nashville DES for its First Full Year of Operations

On December 16, 2004, the Metro Nashville District Energy System (DES) completed its first full year of operations. To commemorate this, a sculpture of the Shelby Street Bridge was presented to the Facility.

The Shelby Street Bridge, once a vehicle transportation link across the Cumberland River, was refurbished and rededicated as a pedestrian bridge in 2003. In the same way, Nashville in 2004 built a bridge in providing energy to its downtown district. The sculpture of the Shelby Street Bridge was crafted by Ed Gershman, Artisan in Metals, from materials recovered from the old Thermal Transfer plant and symbolizes the bridge to the new District Energy System.

Featured Project: DES Study and Implementation »

GBB Congratulates Covanta Alexandria/Arlington, Inc. for Achieving STAR Status

On November 9, 2004, the formal presentation to the Covanta Alexandria/Arlington Facility of Virginia Voluntary Protection Program (VPP) Star status was made by OSHA officials. In a flag raising ceremony following the presentation and remarks by the Honorable William Euille, Mayor of Alexandria, and Delegate Brian Moran of the Commonwealth House of Representatives, the Covanta employees and safety team leaders were recognized for their excellence in on-going safety performance.

The plant had no recordable accidents and no first aid accidents during October, and has now gone 260 days without an accident.

GBB has served as the Project Manager for the City of Alexandria and Arlington County (Virginia) Waste Disposal Trust Fund since 1998 and assisted the Trustees with a strategic review of the facility prior to deciding on the investment necessary to meet the requirements of the Clean Air Act Amendment. Congratulations to Covanta Alexandria/Arlington, Inc.!

GBB Draws Name of iPod Promotion Winner!

From September 1 to October 29, 2004, everybody attending SmartEngine™ and/or FleetRoute™ live online presentations and demonstrations at Wastecon was eligible to win an Apple iPod as part of a GBB promotion. On October 29, the name of the winner was drawn: Kristi Aiken from the Atlantic County Utilities Authority.

Congratulations to Kristi and thanks to all those who attended!

While Ms. Aiken is the winner of the promotion, everybody stands to be a winner with the implementation of SmartEngine™ and FleetRoute™:

• FleetRoute™ Route Optimization Software / Service typically generates 10-25% reduction in operating expenses
• SmartEngine™ Online Waste Audit & Business Recycling Promotion tool can reach thousands of businesses - more businesses being reached means more businesses that actually implement and improve recycling levels.