The Municipal Waste Management Association (MWMA) Executive Committee convened on June 9-10, prior to the Annual Meeting in New Orleans, to review its work for 1998-99 and continue planning for next year. Executive Committee members also had the opportunity to meet with Solid Waste Advisory Council members to address several cross-cutting solid waste issues, including extended producer responsibility, alternative fuels, and various types of solid waste management systems.

MWMA Committee Chairs reviewed the work of their committees and discussed other general issues affecting all of its members, including the National Recycling Survey, the newly-formed Resource Conservation Council, and the upcoming Fall Summit in San Jose. They also discussed methods for recruiting new members and ways to add value for its current membership.

Solid Waste Advisory Council (SWAC) members made presentations to the MWMA following the morning session. Its first panel explored how multi-national product manufacturers that operate in both the European and U.S. markets are affected by the waste management systems in those respective markets; what the "real world" impacts are on those companies; and how those companies presently share responsibility for the products and packaging entering the waste stream in the United States. Waste Management, Inc., presented information on its use of alternative fuels to power solid waste fleets. The use of natural gas fuels may be a helpful alternative to diesel for cities that have to comply with certain air quality regulations. MWMA also heard presentations on solid waste management and collections systems from Plastic Omnium Zarn, Inc., and Toter, Inc.