By Susan Jarvis
October 13, 2008

Since 1982, the Municipal Waste Management Association (MWMA) has served as the environmental affiliate of the United States Conference of Mayors, providing senior-level urban environmental professionals with the skills and resources they need to manage a city’s solid waste, public works, recycling, or environmental department. As more cities begin to “go green,” MWMA has been at the forefront, providing its members with the tools and resources to carry out a city’s “green plan.”

Every year, the Fall Summit provides participants with an opportunity to share cost saving solutions, identify industry trends, and have candid conversations about public works, solid waste, and environmental operations and infrastructure. This year’s summit is no different.

From November 19-21 in San Diego (CA), the public works, solid waste and recycling director will meet and discuss the big picture issues important to “greening” and managing their departments.

Sessions include:

• Trends and Challenges in Solid Waste Management: Attendees can explore some of the newest trends and challenges cities are facing throughout the country, receiving updates on Product Stewardship, E-Waste Recycling, Waste Disposal from Natural and man Made Disasters, and CFC light bulb disposal.

• International Perspectives and Best Practices on Solid Waste and Recycling: Participants will be briefed on international initiatives in the arenas of solid waste and recycling and discuss how these program might affect their operations state side.

• How Green Can We Go? Cities are committed to going green, but what are the right “green” initiatives for your city and how do you get started? During this session, panelists will share their best green strategies and most cost effective solutions for the dollar.

• Integrated Waste Management Solutions: Explores the idea of “no wasted resources” and find out how communities are truly integrating all solutions to their waste management plans.

• The Urban Summit: This one-of-a-kind forum provides public sector participants a closed-door session, allowing a candid discussion on important topics. This year, the economy and budget challenges take center stage as participants will share their best practices and solutions, challenges, and innovative strategies to meeting their cities municipal waste needs. Most participants leave with a new idea, solution or program that more than pays for their registration, making the 2008 Fall Summit an investment in your city’s progress.

For more information about the summit, or the MWMA, log onto usmayors.org/mwma, or contact Susan Jarvis, 202-861-6770; sjarvis@usmayors.org