GBB Describes What’s Ahead for Solid Waste Management at Buckeye SWANA Annual Meeting

(Fairfax, VA – October 26, 2009) – Gershman, Brickner & Bratton, Inc. (GBB) President Harvey Gershman was invited as the Guest Speaker at the recent SWANA Buckeye Chapter Annual Meeting, held in Columbus, OH, where he made a presentation entitled “What’s Ahead for Solid Waste Management in the U.S. and Ohio?”  “It was an honor to be invited to share my views on the future of solid waste management and paint a picture of the past 40 years in the industry,” noted Mr. Gershman.

The presentation provided insight on solid waste management from the past, going back to Earth Day in 1970, and reviewing Alternative Technologies in the 1970s and early 1980s. It then looked at the current state of solid waste management, including an overview of waste facts; a snapshot of U.S. solid waste facilities and programs in recent years; waste-to-energy (WTE) plants by technology; a review of alternative conversion technologies; discussion on WTE technologies and risks; and an overview of recent federal legislation directly affecting the industry. Looking ahead, important federal policy and WTE planning considerations were also highlighted.

A view of specific local issues was also provided with a big picture look at the waste situation in Ohio; an overview of what was learned at the Central State Emerging Technologies Conference; and new goals that should be established in Ohio. Mr. Gershman emphasized the need for a paradigm shift in solid waste management in Ohio, from one of little recycling and mostly landfilling to one that has greater levels of recycling and waste-to-energy, and substantially reduced landfilling.  Additionally, he stressed an opportunity for Ohio to take advantage of its strategic geographic location and industrial base in the continental U.S. and be a converter of its own recyclables and those from other states into OEM and consumer products.  To do this, Harvey suggested that state tax and economic development policies and funding were needed, and that an added gasoline tax of 25 cents per gallon and $25 per ton fee on waste landfilled could garner significant funding to make these paradigm changes happen.  (The presentation is available at www.gbbinc.com/speaker/Gershman-OH-SWANA.pdf)

GBB is an international solid waste management consulting firm founded in 1980 that works on solid waste collection, processing, recycling, and disposal issues and assists in planning, procuring, and implementing sound, cost-effective facilities and services at the local, state, and national levels for both the public and private sectors. For more information on the firm and its products and services, visit www.gbbinc.com or call 1-800-573-5801.

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