By Susan Jarvis
December 20, 2006

More than 50 solid waste directors, public works administrators and environmental commissioners gathered November 15-17 in West Palm Beach for the Municipal Waste Management Association (MWMA) 2006 Fall Summit. After a warm welcome from MWMA President and Director of Solid Waste for West Palm Beach Pete Spatara, Tim Johnson from Serious Industries gave an overview of the relationship between illegal dumping and identity theft. Rather than discussing illegal dumping in the traditional sense, Johnson discussed “theft of service” - illegal dumping into another person or business’ solid waste container for which they are not paying for the service. Participants in theft of service type illegal dumping include both commercial and residential users. According to Johnson, illegal dumping can be costly for cities and lead to a host of environmental problems, but can be combated through increased education and public awareness, and controlling the waste stream by locking the containers. Locking containers can be done manually, with padlocks and chains, or automatically. Automatic locking systems decrease both time used in the field to lock the containers and the amount of time trucks are idling.

Carrie Gallagher, Program Director for Keep America Beautiful, provided an update on KAB’s Cigarette Litter Prevention Program. Begun in 2003, KAB’s pilot program is based on extensive field testing and is a multi dimensional approach to preventing cigarette litter. In 2005, KAB developed the Guide to Cigarette Litter Prevention, an interactive resource for implementing a community program.

KAB’s program is based on four principles: enforcing anti litter laws because, according to Gallagher, people aren’t going to stop because you ask them to; installing ash receptacles; encouraging the use of pocket ash trays; and continuous public education and awareness. Keep America Beautiful has developed a series of PSA’s depicting a cigarette with the tag line: “This is litter too.” The pocket ash trays are designed to appeal to smokers senses of touch and sound. “Don’t underestimate the value of toys,” said Gallagher.

"Something great is about to happen,” began Stephanie Rolle McMillan, Director of Neighborhood Services. The newly created Department of Neighborhood Services was tasked by West Palm Beach Mayor Lois J. Frankel to be the “eyes and ears of the community and help residents cut through the red tape.” The department developed a mission: To be the liaison between neighborhoods and city government through effective communication, advocacy and education to ensure quality service delivery. According McMillan, they are defining neighborhoods, as inclusive components, comprised of residents, schools, businesses, agencies and faith based organizations.

The department developed a series of priorities:

• Develop and maintain strong neighborhood relationships;

• Promote linkages between neighborhoods and city government;

• Provide effective advocacy for all neighborhoods; and

• Empower neighborhoods through information, education and resources.

McMillan said her departments success is based internal collaboration with other departments developing relationships with other city employees and department heads, understanding how city services are delivered and the policy’s that guide their decision making. The Department of Neighborhood Services and The Department of Utilities teamed up to create “Talking Trash: A Guide to Waste Disposal For Residents.” The Code Enforcement Division observed a pattern of behavior and contacted Neighborhood Services to implement some solutions. The Talking Trash program is based on continuous education and updated as laws, policies and ordinances change.

For more information on any of the programs, including the Talking Trash video, log onto the website www.usmayors.org/mwma.