Volume 18 | September 2023 | |
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I hope this message finds everyone well. As many of you know, we lost our dear friend and fellow board member Tim Torrez in August. Tim had been involved in the waste industry since the early 90s, working at VADEQ, Joyce Engineering, Henrico County, and Republic Services. Tim served as your SWANA Old Dominion Chapter Advisory Board (AB) representative and held positions on the Waste Management Facility Operator Board and the Virginia Waste Industries Association. Chances are, if you played golf at any of the Old Dominion Chapter conferences, SWANA Quad State conferences, or SWANA Region 6 conferences, Tim spearheaded those events. Tim’s passion for the waste industry and his contributions were vast. I know many of us continue to struggle and miss our dear friend. I will say that near the end, Tim often reminded friends and family to continue to love each other. So, each day, let’s honor our dear friend and keep that message going strong.
Thanks,
Jon Clary, P.E.
Old Dominion President
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Annual Regulatory Training
Thursday October 19, 2023
8:30 am - 3:30 pm
The Place at Innsbrook
Glen Allen, VA 23060
Topics covered will include:
Amendment 9 update, PFAS, Environmental Justice, SWIA Report
SWANA Members: $130 (includes breakfast, lunch and breaks)
Non-SWANA members: $200 (includes breakfast, lunch and breaks)
Virtual $50 (link to join virtual meeting will be provided)
This session will provide 6 continuing professional education credits that may be used for the Class I and II Solid Waste Management Facility Operators License or for renewal of the Professional Engineers license.
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Legislative Update
During the recent special session of the General Assembly, budget bills were submitted by both the House and the Senate. The budget deal includes significant funding ($151 million) for Virginia’s Enhanced Nutrient Removal Certainty Program which was created in 2021 to help accelerate improvements to local wastewater treatment plants aimed at reducing pollution.
With respect to more specific solid waste management legislation, included below is a synopsis of the various pertinent bills and their status following the 2023 session:
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HB 1645 (litter tax late payment, with amended language) passed the House and Senate.
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SB 1012 (single-use plastic and EPS ban) was defeated in the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Conservation, and Natural Resources on 1/24/23.
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HB 1370 (landfill siting) was tabled by the House Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake, and Natural Resources on 1/25/23.
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SB 933 (single-use plastic bags ban) was defeated in the Senate Committee on Local Government on 1/30/23.
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HB 2496 (“recycling” funds) was tabled by the House Committee on Appropriations on 2/3/23.
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SB 1365 (Local regulation of materials recovery facilities) passed the Senate on 2/6/23. It was referred to the House Committee on Counties, Cities and Towns, and was left in subcommittee.
Two items of note from DEQ:
- Amendment 9 of the VSWMR remains in review by the Secretary of Natural and Historic Resources.
- The DEQ’s Permit Enhancement and Evaluation Platform (PEEP) will be expanded to incorporate solid waste permitting within that platform. The DEQ is currently piloting, and it will go live to the public in September.
USEFUL LINKS:
General Assembly Website
General Assembly Meeting Schedule
House of Delegates Meeting Schedule
House of Delegates Live Streaming and Recorded Meeting Video
Senate Meeting Videos
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Need CEUs for License Renewal? | |
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You can watch recorded webinars and receive CEUs.
SWANA Webinars
The Old Dominion Chapter has pre-paid for our members to view SWANA National webinars.
Register for webinars online at SWANA.org. Enter the Chapter’s Debit Card Code at the time of registration. Code: VIRGINIA
Recorded Chapter Webinars
Check out the recorded SWANA Old Dominion webinars on our Past Trainings page. After viewing a webinar, email [email protected] to request a CEU.
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Resource International Becomes ARM Group LLC
ARM Group LLC (ARM), a leading mid-Atlantic solid waste consulting firm, has acquired Resource International Ltd., based in Ashland, Virginia. Resource International, Ltd. (RI) will become “ARM Resource” and is comprised of approximately 25 engineers, surveyors, scientists and support staff specializing in civil/environmental engineering, surveying, and environmental consulting.
Mr. Mike Fiore, P.E. founded RI and will serve as the Regional Office Manager and Principal Engineer for ARM Resource. Mr. Fiore has more than 40 years of solid waste consulting experience in Virginia and this acquisition will enable ARM to further expand its Solid Waste and other key practices in the Virginia market.
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Large Waste Requires Large Solutions
BY THERESA EVANS
Collecting and disposing of large bulky items have long been complex challenges for many municipalities, waste haulers and homeowners.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) considers bulky waste any item large enough to warrant special collection services separate from curbside municipal solid waste (MSW) collection. Examples of bulky waste items include major appliances and furniture.
Because they are too large to fit into regular trash or recycling carts and typically heavy, bulky items are difficult to handle and transport. This poses a challenge for haulers that need to ensure the safety of their workers and for residents seeking to bring the item to a disposal facility.
Another challenge is cost. Collecting, transporting and disposing of bulky waste typically are expensive tasks because of the extra labor involved, so municipalities often will charge residents additional fees to dispose of bulky items. This extra fee can be a significant burden for those living in low-income households, which leads to the next challenge associated with bulky waste: illegal dumping. Perhaps because of financial burden, inconvenient disposal options, a lack of knowledge about responsible disposal or other reasons, individuals might choose to dispose of bulky items in unauthorized areas, including vacant lots or on the roadside. Illegal dumping contributes to unsafe and unhealthy conditions, especially in neighborhoods.
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Welcome New Members
Carlos Abner Operations Superintendent-Solid Waste, City of Newport News
Ryan Clay Staff Engineer, TRC Companies, Inc.
John Bradley City of Virginia Beach
Amy Davis Administrator-Solid Waste, City of Newport News
Joseph Flagg Retired Director of Public Works, Hanover County Va
Lizbeth Melendez Marketing Manager Gershman, Brickner & Bratton, Inc. (GBB) (HQ)
Andre Parker Transfer Station Supervisor Southeastern Public Service Authority (SPSA)
Melissa Pennett Environmental Sustainability Specialist City of Fairfax
Jayson Radany Design Engineer
Jerod Roberts Operations Superintendent-ROC Facility, City of Newport News
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2023 SWANA SAFETY AWARD WINNERS
SWANA’s safety awards exemplify the solid waste industry’s profound commitment to improving employee safety through communication, best practices, increased company regulations, and accident review. The safety awards reflect SWANA’s continued commitment to worker safety.
See the list of winners in the categories of Biggest Safety Improvement, Workplace Wellness Program, Best Safety Innovation and Best Safety Training Program.
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2023 - 2024 Directors
Visit the website to meet our full Board of Directors and Officers.
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