 |
Letter from the Editors
|
Welcome to the Online Show
Daily
Welcome to the WasteExpo Online Show Daily, produced
by the editors of Waste Age magazine. This newsletter will provide
comprehensive coverage of this year's WasteExpo in Las Vegas. We have
divided our newsletter into five sections: one that brings you news from
the show floor, another that covers the WasteExpo conference sessions,
one that details the show's special events, a fourth that highlights the
co-located conferences, and a final one that features an interview with
EIA President and CEO Bruce Parker.
Today is the final issue of the Show Daily. Waste Age will provide
further coverage of the show on The
Heap, our staff blog located on WasteAge.com, and in next week's edition of the Waste
Age Wire, our weekly e-mail newsletter.
Whether you are an attendee or you couldn't make it to Las Vegas, the
Online Show Daily will keep you firmly on top of the who, what, when and
where of WasteExpo 2009. If you have any questions or comments, e-mail
Editor Stephen Ursery at sursery@wasteage.com.
|
 Back to Top
News from the Show Floor
|
Show Floor Opens to Positive
Reviews
There may be fewer attendees and exhibitors than in
years past, but that didn’t stop those who spoke to Waste Age
yesterday from giving the opening day of the exhibit hall a thumbs up.
“There’s no shame in acknowledging that it’s a smaller show than
last year. Our previous two years were record-breaking years,” said
Rita Ugianskis, the show director of WasteExpo. She said this year’s
show floor had 490 exhibitors, compared with 525 last year, and she
noted that attendee pre-registration was down about 10 percent heading
into the show.
Given the state of the economy, those numbers “are completely
understandable and respectable,” Ugianskis added. “We are grateful
to have everyone here who is here.”
“I was on the show floor today, and I was proud,” Ugianskis said.
“There was a lot of activity.”
Those who spoke to Waste Age in the exhibit hall echoed Ugianskis’
positive sentiments.
Lee Lydic, the national fleet development manager for Truck-Lite Co.
Inc., a Falconer, N.Y.-based manufacturer and distributor of truck
visibility products, is a good example of the type of waste professional
walking the floor. Lydic said he had exhibited at past Waste Expos, but
couldn’t afford to exhibit in the current economic climate.
Nevertheless, he said he was very impressed with the show. “You’ve
got the top truck manufacturers, the top body manufacturers and the top
container manufacturers,” he said.
John Curotto, president and CEO of The Curotto-Can, a manufacturer of a
line of products that includes a carry can that allows a front loader to
provide fully automated residential collection, said his firm’s booth
was busy on Tuesday.
“Traffic has great,” said Curotto, who is using WasteExpo to
showcase four new products. “It’s been a very busy show for us.”
Another exhibitor is Erie, Pa.-based Eriez Manufacturing, which produces
equipment for screening and separating recyclables. Eric Confer, a
technical sales rep for Eriez, said that traffic so far was a little
slower than in previous years, but that everyone who had stopped by the
booth was eager to learn about the company’s products. “We’ll take
quality over quantity any day,” said Confer. He also noted a greater
interest in recycling this year, with firms looking to add recycling to
their operations, or improve the efficiency of existing recycling
programs.
|
Back to Top
advertisement
Conference Session Update
|
Hedge
Your Bets
Although prices declined during last fall and winter,
they have been inching back upwards lately. Generally speaking, that
trend can be expected to continue in the coming years.
That was a point driven home by Jamey Holland, a risk management
consultant for Kansas City, Mo.-based FCStone Trading, during
Tuesday’s “Take Charge of Fuel Prices: Effective Risk Management”
conference session.
To illustrate his point, Holland cited studies predicting that global
energy demand will increase by 44 percent over the next 20 years and
that global oil demand will rise to 107 million barrels per day over the
next two decades. Global demand is currently around 84 million barrels a
day, he said.
Holland also noted that one study projects 2 billion cars to be on the
road worldwide in 2030, up from 812 million automobiles just seven years
ago.
Toss in the fact that the number of refineries in the United States is
declining, and you have a climate ripe for soaring and volatile fuel
prices, Holland said.
So, what’s a fleet to do? Hedge, Holland said.
(To read the rest of the story, click on the headline above.)
|
Clear
Intentions
On Monday, Joe Cattaneo, president of the
Washington-based Glass Packaging Institute, spoke at the "Glass and
Metal Recycling: A Market Outlook” conference session at WasteExpo. In
Waste Age's May show preview issue, Cattaneo authored an article
previewing his thoughts on the subject. Here is that article:
In December 2008, Glass Packaging Institute (GPI) member companies
agreed to the goal of using at least 50 percent recycled glass in the
manufacture of new glass bottles and jars by 2013.
This target recognizes the growing need to protect the environment and
conserve energy. Energy costs drop about 2 to 3 percent for every 10
percent of cullet used in the glass manufacturing process. Using the
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) benefits calculator, the
GPI estimates that the energy saved by using 50 percent recycled content
in all glass packages manufactured in the United States could power more
than 45,000 households for a year.
(To read the rest of the story, click on the headline above.)
|
A
Beautiful Friendship
Yesterday, Harvey W. Gershman, president of the
Gershman, Brickner & Bratton solid waste management consulting firm,
spoke at the "Waste Conversion Technologies: Status Report" session. In
Waste Age's May show issue, Gershman authored an article previewing his
thoughts on the subject. Here is that article:
A discussion of waste-to-energy (WTE) among waste management
professionals can generate a lot of heat. Some professionals feel WTE
should be the cornerstone of large, complex waste management systems.
Others feel that WTE is environmentally destructive and toxic to humans,
while advocates of recycling may fear that it preempts any hope of
recycling a large portion of the waste stream. There is a place for WTE
within the field of waste management but its use is specific and not
universal.
(To read the rest of the story, click on the headline above.)
|
Change
Reaction
Today, Kenneth M. Baylor, president of Fort
Lauderdale, Fla.-based Advanced Leadership Solutions, will speak at the
"Change Reaction: Managing Employees in Turbulent Times" boxed lunch
that will run from 12 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. In Waste Age's May show preview
issue, Baylor authored an article previewing his thoughts on the
subject. Here is that article:
Change happens. From a business standpoint, it can take the form of
professional advancement, organizational re-structuring, strategic
evolution, or acquisitions and mergers. In this day and age, the issue
is no longer if change will happen, but when.
At the core of managing employees during times of change is effective
communication of a well thought-out plan. Management must commit to open
and honest disclosures of facts that not only help people understand the
rationale for change, but also how it affects — and hopefully benefits
— them personally.
(To read the rest of the story, click on the headline above.)
|
Back to Top
advertisement
Spotlight on Special Events
|
Rise and Shine with Landfill
Talk
The "Landfill Success Stories — A Roundtable"
breakfast forum takes place this morning from 9 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. in
Rooms S221-S222 of the Convention Center. The cost is $30, and the event
features a light breakfast.
In this session, landfill managers will share their success stories
about collecting and using landfill gas, engaging in carbon emissions
trading, using bioreactors and other interesting projects.
|
The Times They Are
A-Changin'
How do you effectively manage your employees in such a
trying economic climate? That's the focus of today's boxed lunch.
"Change Reaction: Managing Employees in Turbulent Times" will run from
12 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. in Rooms S231-S233 of the Convention Center. The
cost of the event is $40. (One ticket is included with the full-event
registration option and Wednesday's one-day registration option.)
|
Do I Hear $200? $300?
$400?
The Environmental Research and Education Foundation's
(EREF) 15th annual Live Refuse Equipment Auction will take place today
from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. in the foundation's booth (No. 20166). A
reception will be held at the booth at 4 p.m.
A raffle drawing for a 2005 Harley-Davidson Thunder Mountain motorcycle
will be held following the auction. Only 600 raffle tickets will be
sold. The price of each ticket is $100, with a limit of 10 tickets per
person. Tickets are available for purchase onsite at the EREF booth.
EREF has been conducting a silent auction that began on Monday and will
end when the live auction starts.
The auctions raise funds for municipal solid waste research and
education projects.
|
Back to Top
Co-Located Events
|
Fluid Power Conference & Expo
Wraps Up
The Fluid Power Conference & Expo ends today with five
educational sessions. The sessions will be held in Rooms S111-S114 of
the Convention Center. Separate registration is required for this event.
"Ductile Iron as a Steel Alternative" and "Servo & Proportional Valve
Installation & Service" will run from 10:15 a.m. to 11:15 a.m.
"Improve Your Systems with Accumulators" and "Safer, Cleaner Cylinders
from Today's Technology" will take place from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
And wrapping up the conference will be the "Hydraulic Basics & System
Troubleshooting, Part 2" session, which will run from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30
p.m.
|
Waste Training Institute
Continues
The inaugural Waste Training Institute concludes today
with two workshops in Room S227 of the Convention Center. "The Costing
and Pricing of Services Part I" will run from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., and
the "The Costing and Pricing of Services Part II" will take place from
3:15 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. Separate registration is required for each
session, and the price of each workshop is $165.
Part II will build upon the information presented in Part I. Eddie Dick
of Eddie Dick and Associates will be the workshop leader.
|
Medical Waste Conference
Begins
The two-day Medical Waste Conference begins today with
six educational sessions in Rooms S219-S220 of the Convention Center.
Separate registration for the conference is required.
The conference starts with an 8 a.m. continental breakfast, and
Wednesday's activities will conclude with a 5 p.m. reception.
Wednesday's educational sessions will include "Take Charge of Fuel
Prices: Effective Risk Management;" "Pharmaceutical Materials: An
Update;" "Medical Waste Haulers Roundtable: Opportunities for Small
Companies;" "E-Waste: New Laws, New Realities, Unique Considerations;"
"Differing Perspectives on Employee Training — What Role Should
Technology Have in Your Program;" and "Change Reaction: Managing
Employees in Turbulent Times."
|
Back to Top
advertisement
Question and Answer
|
Q&A:
Bruce Parker, Part 2
With WasteExpo in full swing, we thought it would
be a good time to talk with Bruce Parker, president and CEO of the
Environmental Industry Associations, about the state of the waste
industry. In this second installment of a two-part Q&A, Parker gives us
his take on the industry's role in mitigating climate change and
affecting the industry and details the big issues that the sector is
facing besides the recession.
Congress is working on legislation to address climate change. How big
of a role could the industry have in the effort to mitigate climate
change, and do you expect the legislation to affect the industry?
The industry is presently having a noticeable role in reducing
greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and promoting clean, renewable fuels.
Innovation and leadership from the solid waste industry is making it
possible for Americans to use waste as a source of renewable and
sustainable energy. Because waste-based-energy is becoming an important
source of revenue for our industry, solid waste companies will continue
expanding energy production. One of the largest waste companies in the
U.S. recently announced a goal of doubling its landfill-gas-to-energy
production during the next decade.
In some cases, landfill gas is used to fuel turbines and generators at
landfills where the electricity can be delivered to the local power
grid. It also is piped directly to nearby manufacturing plants, schools,
government buildings and other facilities to heat and cool buildings and
power machinery. In other cases, the gas is processed and turned into
transportation fuel, such as compressed natural gas and liquefied
natural gas, to power garbage trucks.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), as of April
2009, the solid waste industry operated 470 landfill-gas-to-energy
projects in 43 states. These efforts deliver more than 260 million
standard cubic meters per day of landfill gas and 1,500 megawatts of
electricity to corporate and government users, enough renewable energy
to power or heat 1.6 million homes.
Why is this so important? First, because EPA estimates that using
methane from landfills as a source of energy provides an annual
environmental benefit that is equivalent to eliminating the GHG
emissions produced by burning 195 million barrels of oil. Second,
landfill-gas-to-energy also is helping advance our national security
goal of reducing our dependence on foreign oil.
Importantly, the EPA has identified another 520 landfills as potential
candidates for similar energy projects, and continued innovation will
allow us to expand the use of landfill gas for energy. For example, a
“bioreactor” is the name for a landfill where liquids are added to
the waste and re-circulated to make the trash decompose faster. It is a
promising new technology that speeds the production of landfill gas.
Landfill owners and operators are beginning to install solar panels to
generate renewable energy. One such project in Texas is expected to
produce nine megawatts of power, enough to power 5,500 area homes. Our
members are working with truck manufacturers to develop a new generation
of waste collection trucks that will use alternative fuels and employ
the latest technologies to save fuel, reduce GHG emissions and improve
overall air quality. A waste equipment manufacturer recently introduced
a solid waste compactor that uses solar energy.
With regard to whether the climate change bill, “The American Clean
Energy and Security Act of 2009” (H.R. 2454), will affect the
industry, the answer is “yes.” But, I don’t believe it will have a
major impact because 85 percent of U.S. GHG emissions are carbon dioxide
(CO2), and the bill is primarily directed at sources of CO2, such as
power plants, transportation and industrial processes. Moreover, in the
bill’s final form methane sources are not subject to a cap. The bill
is complex and over 600 pages, and we are still working our way through
it so we can evaluate with certainty what impact it will have on
landfills.
Other than climate change and the recession, what are the biggest
issues facing the solid waste industry?
As you know, solid waste is a local business, and that’s why NSWMA has
23 state chapters. But we are highly regulated at the state and local
level, so we are constantly lobbying against unreasonable and/or
unnecessary laws and regulations. This is especially true when, as now,
states and local government are struggling with record budget deficits
and looking for sources of revenue. Guess who they see as a piggy bank
— us! In the last year and a half, local governments in over fifteen
states have considered replacing existing free market competition for
solid waste collection with so-called “franchise,” “district,”
or “organized collection” systems. Some of these situations involve
residential routes, while others, most notably the city of Chicago,
involve commercial collection. Franchises include a franchise tax.
Landfill taxes always have been an issue, but are now more so than ever
because of the budget crisis facing most states and local governments.
The Wisconsin Legislative Joint Finance Committee has proposed adding a
$7.10 per ton tax to the state’s existing $5.90 disposal tax, which,
if passed, would bring the tax to $13.00—the highest in the country.
One of the motivations behind the tax is to discourage out-of-state
waste. The Pennsylvania legislature is proposing a new “recycling and
waste management” tax of up to $4.00 per ton on waste generated within
its borders. In all, taxes on a ton of garbage in Pennsylvania include
$2.00 to a recycling fund, $4.25 for an environmental stewardship fund
and an average of $2.33 for municipal host fees, for a total of $8.58. A
$4.00 increase on top of that would represent a 47 percent hike to
$12.58 per ton. Ohio, Florida and one or two other states also have
proposed landfill taxes.
Last, flow control continues to be an issue. As of the end of May of
this year, local governments in about 20 states have considered or
implemented flow control. Some flow control laws were reinstated
following the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in United Haulers v.
Oneida-Herkimer, which upheld flow control in instances in which the
facility is owned and operated by local government. Other laws were
defeated or put on hold due to strong opposition from NSWMA members and
local business coalitions, and others were implemented.
At the federal level NSWMA and some of its larger members have been very
active in evaluating or commenting on proposed EPA regulations. We have
submitted comments on the proposed rule for reporting greenhouse
emissions and on proposed revisions to AP-42 emission factors for
municipal solid waste landfills. We also have evaluated proposed changes
to the federal fuel standard to make sure that solid wastes qualifies as
a renewable fuel.
(To read the full interview, click on the headline above.)
|
Back to Top
|
|
|
|
To find out how to advertise in Waste Age WIRE, e-mail Tim Clary
.
To subscribe to Waste Age Magazine, click here
To unsubscribe from this newsletter go to: Unsubscribe
You are subscribed to this newsletter as #email#
To get this newsletter in a different format (Text or HTML),
or to change your e-mail address, please visit your profile
page to change your delivery preferences.
For questions concerning delivery of this newsletter, please contact our
Customer Service Department at:
Customer Service Department
Waste Age
A Penton Media publication
US Toll Free: 866-505-7173
International: 847-763-9504
Email:wasteage@pbinews.com
Penton Media | 249 W. 17th Street | New York, NY 10011
Copyright 2009, Penton Media. All rights reserved. This article is
protected by United States copyright and other intellectual property
laws and may not be reproduced, rewritten, distributed, re-disseminated,
transmitted,
displayed, published or broadcast, directly or indirectly, in any medium
without the prior written permission of Penton Media.
|
|
