Upcoming presentations at the Iowa Recycling and Solid Waste Management Conference on October 4:
SCS Engineers (SCS) was retained by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to assist in performing research, facilitating stakeholder and subcommittee meetings, and coordinating project meetings to explore and develop potential strategies that would help transition Iowa to a sustainable materials management (SMM) system approach. The firm was also retained to perform a waste characterization study at ten landfills across Iowa during the summer of 2022, focusing on how we can best use resources to their highest and best values.
SCS Engineers will be presenting on these topics during the welcoming events on Tuesday, October 4, starting at 8:00 am, following the Iowa DNR update. Christine Collier, P.E., will discuss work with a stakeholder group and four subcommittees to identify potential SMM strategies that focus on the four primary material categories: Construction and Demolition Debris; Organics and Fibers; Plastics; and Renewable Energy Equipment.
Hannah Sperfslage and Jeff Phillips will discuss the waste characterization study evaluating the composition of municipal solid waste (MSW) generated from residential, industrial, commercial, and institutional (ICI) sectors and the visual characterization of construction and demolition debris (C&D). The results will help the DNR and solid waste planning agencies measure progress in obtaining waste reduction and recycling goals. They will be the basis for implementing new programs and policies.
Learn more and register for the Iowa Recycling and Solid Waste Management Conference.
Recycling and reuse started in 1987 and continues today with cities embracing public-private partnerships with their recycling processors. They recognize the vital and interrelated role of both the public and private sectors in recovering recyclables. In the U.S., manufacturing and end-use markets are seeing more demand for recyclable materials. Companies are held accountable for misleading advertising instead of changing packaging or labeling how to recycle clearly.
Through leadership, innovation, and strategic planning, cities continue to help lead the way on recycling to achieve landfill diversion and provide for more environmentally and financially sustainable solid waste management systems for the next 30 years.
Read more from the authors of this up-lifting article, The Journey of Recycling, in the March edition of APWA.
The City of Lincoln’s Transportation and Utilities (LTU) Department/Solid Waste Management Division manages all solid waste generated within its service area to protect the public’s health, safety, welfare, and environment. They do so cost-effectively and in compliance with its solid waste management plan, Solid Waste Plan 2040. The plan, updated in 2020 through a process facilitated by SCS Engineers, produces remarkably good results.
The City undertook a comprehensive residential and commercial recycling communication, education, engagement, and behavior change initiative.
Read more about Lincoln’s success and see results in this APWA article (March 2022 edition).
