Florida Salutes Solid Waste Industry for Achievements
Florida Gov. Charlie Crist recently recognized the men and women who work in the solid waste industry for their achievements in helping to protect the environment, community health and public safety.
The proclamation, presented by Lt. Gov. Jeff Kottkamp to the Florida Chapter of the National Solid Wastes Management Association (NSWMA), also applauds the industry’s commitment to technological innovation.
Achievements cited include boosting recycling rates, turning to clean fuels for its fleet of trucks and developing landfill-gas-to-energy projects, which turns landfill byproducts into a clean source of renewable fuel. Such projects currently provide light and heat to more than 1 million Americans in 46 states, including Florida. The proclamation declared January 11 “Champions of the Environment Day.”
While presenting the proclamation, Kottkamp stated, “The waste industry is vital to our state, as it manages the collection, disposal, and recycling efforts that help keep our communities clean, healthy and safe. It is commendable that the industry is conserving energy by investing in alternative fuel vehicles and using methane-gas from landfills to produce energy. Finally, it is exciting to see how committed the waste industry is to its employees and customers with major safety programs.”
NSWMA represents for-profit companies in North America that provide solid, hazardous and medical waste collection, recycling and disposal services, and companies that provide professional and consulting services to the waste services industry.