SWANA Approves Provisional Chapter

The Caribbean – Puerto Rico Chapter is slated to become the 46th chapter of the Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA). In a unanimous vote by SWANA’s International Board of Directors, the Caribbean – Puerto Rico Chapter was granted Provisional Chapter status during the Board’s mid-year meetings in June.

To become eligible for Regular Chapter status, the new Chapter will work for the next 12 months in preparing its Bylaws and Articles of Incorporation, as well as developing training and education programs. If all criteria are met, the International Board will vote at next year’s meeting to approve Regular Chapter status.

The Caribbean – Puerto Rico Chapter was initiated by a group of engineers and professionals in Puerto Rico who are concerned about future waste management issues on the island. With a population approaching four million and a total land area of approximately 3,500 square miles, Puerto Rico is seeking new solid waste initiatives to assist the existing recycling facilities and community landfills in managing the ever-increasing amount of solid waste.

“Solid waste management presents a big challenge for Puerto Rico,” said Raquel Cortes, President of the Caribbean - Puerto Rico Chapter. “The main goal of our chapter is to encourage and promote public policies that will facilitate the implementation of new alternatives to resolve the waste disposal problems confronted by our island.”

SWANA, which currently has 45 chapters throughout the United States and Canada, is excited about the new addition to the Association and the opportunities for expansion that the new Chapter will bring.

“We certainly welcome the Caribbean-Puerto Chapter into SWANA,” said John Skinner, SWANA’s Executive Director and CEO. “SWANA’s expansion into the Caribbean will provide training and education opportunities for solid waste professionals in that important part of the world.”