June 26, 2025 (Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA) (via LinkedIn)) –
The Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA) posted 8 LinkedIn updates from June 19 to June 26, 2025. These posts covered a range of topics including safety initiatives, recycling challenges, worker appreciation events, and important industry reports. Let's delve into the key areas of focus for SWANA during this period.
Safety Initiatives and Worker Appreciation
SWANA demonstrated a strong commitment to worker safety and appreciation through various events and initiatives. The SWANA Land of Lakes Chapter held a hauler safety outreach event at the Vonco USA Landfill in Becker, MN. This event engaged directly with waste haulers, providing bilingual safety information and refreshments to show appreciation for their work in challenging summer conditions.
Similarly, the Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio (SWACO) celebrated Waste and Recycling Workers Week with outreach events at its transfer stations and landfill. These events included distributing safety information, drinks, and snacks to workers, emphasizing the importance of safety in the industry.
SWANA also highlighted the importance of ergonomics in workplace safety through a blog post. The post emphasized how proper ergonomics can help workers avoid injuries from repetitive motions, awkward postures, and heavy lifting, which are common in the waste management industry.
On National Hydration Day, SWANA urged solid waste and resource management professionals to take heat safety seriously, especially in light of a "heat dome" affecting large parts of North America. The association provided essential tips for staying hydrated to prevent heat illness and heat stroke.
Safety outreach event engages haulers
SWACO celebrates Waste and Recycling Workers
Ergonomics crucial for workplace safety
Hydration tips for heat safety
Recycling Challenges and Research
SWANA highlighted a significant report from The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine on the challenges facing US recycling efforts. The report, which SWANA's lead on Applied Research, Jeremy O'Brien, contributed to, revealed that up to 68% of recyclable materials in some waste streams are not being recovered. It recommended better evaluation and funding methods, enhanced data collection, and a shift toward Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) to address these challenges.
This focus on research and data-driven solutions demonstrates SWANA's commitment to improving the efficiency and effectiveness of recycling programs across the nation.
National Academies report on recycling challenges
Addressing Emerging Industry Challenges
SWANA drew attention to the ongoing outbreak of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), which has been categorized as the largest bird flu outbreak in history. The association highlighted the importance of proper procedures in the safe disposal of animals and waste associated with bird flu to protect worker health and reduce the spread of the virus.
To address this challenge, SWANA announced an upcoming webinar on "Animal Mortality Management via Composting or Landfilling," featuring experts Dr. Rob Michitsch and Alex Thomas. This proactive approach demonstrates SWANA's commitment to addressing emerging issues in the waste management industry and providing valuable education to its members.
Webinar on managing animal mortality waste
Community Engagement and Education
SWANA's posts also reflected its ongoing efforts to engage with local communities and educate the public about waste management issues. The association promoted upcoming events, such as tours of the SWACO Franklin County Sanitary Landfill during RCon™, showcasing its commitment to transparency and public education about waste management facilities and practices.
Montgomery County outreach event success
In conclusion, SWANA's LinkedIn activity during this period demonstrates the association's multifaceted approach to addressing challenges in the solid waste and resource management industry. From prioritizing worker safety and appreciation to highlighting critical research on recycling challenges and addressing emerging issues like avian influenza, SWANA continues to lead the way in promoting best practices and innovation in waste management.
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