Congratulations! The leader of your country/state/region recently signed into la

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Congratulations! The leader of your country/state/region recently signed into law a piece of legislation that you authored that requires the recycling of electronic waste as a way to protect the environment. Unfortunately, you discover that much of this electronic waste is being loaded into containers and placed on cargo ships heading for countries in the third world. Once they arrive, the containers are unloaded and child labor is utilized to take the small, but valuable, metals out of this electronic waste. In some instances, the electronic parts are melted down, thereby exposing the workers to hazardous chemicals, and some workers die. In the process, the land, water, and food supply also are being contaminated. Please evaluate the political, social, and ethical implications of this decision that was made in the public interest

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2013 Environmental Merit Awards Ceremony

Congratulations to all of our 2013 Environmental Merit Award Recipients, who are being recognized for their environmental stewardship, activism and support.

This past year EPA New England has worked to ne tune our efforts to nd sustainable solutions to environmental challenges in New England. EPA has been coordinating across the federal government with HUD and DOT to promote sustainable and healthy growth in urban places. We have also been focused on Climate Change adaptation and mitigation across the region.

Today's honorees are huge contributors to our shared environmental successes. Your work is something the staff at EPA New England is very proud of and we all thank you for taking initiative in so many different areas. Whether you're nding innovative ways to safeguard our water resources or conserving the energy our communities use each day, each of you has advanced our mission to protect human health and the environment.

Congratulations to all of today's Environmental Merit Award winners. Keep up the good work.

Keeping a pulse on initiatives affecting the solid waste profession

Organic recycling, waste reduction, material reclamation, methane emission capture, zero waste initiatives…across North America and the world, the drive to make our planet more sustainable is changing the public’s expectations on what constitutes trash and it is drastically changing the role of the solid waste professional. The old adage “waste not, want not” is now more relevant than ever. There is a new concept taking hold called “Sustainable Materials Management.” Sustainable Materials Management attempts to use and reuse materials in the most productive and sustainable way across their entire life cycle. This approach conserves resources, reduces waste, and minimizes the environmental impacts of the materials we use. It involves rethinking the manner in which a municipality approaches waste management. It also means rethinking what is characterized as waste and which materials might be suitable for reuse and recycling. The APWA Solid Waste Management Technical Committee is responsible for keeping a pulse on initiatives affecting the solid waste profession and in many cases are on the cutting edge of these initiatives. From the sustainability efforts led by Michael Foote in Gillette, Wyoming, to the large material reclamation facility in Edmonton, Alberta, the committee is actively pursuing technology and processes that change the face of solid waste management. The committee reflects the diversity of solid waste professionals across public works. We have representation from large metro areas like Phoenix, Arizona; Edmonton, Alberta; and Pierce County, Washington, to smaller communities like Belmont, Massachusetts; Salina, Kansas; and Gillette, Wyoming. The current committee roster is: • John A. Trujillo: Director of Public Works, City of Phoenix, Arizona (Chair) • Michael Foote: Sustainability Manager, City of Gillette, Wyoming • Jay Marcotte, MPA: Director, Department of Public Works, City of Belmont, Massachusetts • Steve Wamback: Sustainable Resources Administrator, Pierce County, Washington • Trent Tompkins: Director, Collection Services, Waste Management Services, Kennedale Collections, City of Edmonton, Alberta • Michael Fraser: Director of Public Works, City of Salina, Kansas One of the major roles of the committee is to develop tools and publications that can serve as resources for solid waste professionals. This year the committee updated their Solid Waste Pocket Guide. This quick reference guide is available through the APWA O

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