Maryland Governor Extends Appreciation to SWANA and Industry

Governor Larry Hogan Thanks Solid Waste Industry in Letter to SWANA

Silver Spring, MD – The Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA) has received a letter from Maryland’s Governor, Larry Hogan, thanking  “SWANA and our nation’s waste management professionals for their tireless efforts throughout the ongoing public health crisis.” Governor Hogan is the chair of the National Governors Association (NGA).

Hogan’s letter observes that despite the COVID-19 pandemic, “dedicated waste collectors, recyclers, drivers, engineers, technicians,” and other professionals have worked hard “to ensure our neighborhoods remain safe and healthy.” He further notes that the widespread working from home over the past few months has “created additional stress on waste management systems.” Data collected by SWANA indicates residential waste tonnage increased by 15 to 25 percent nationwide during the pandemic, although it is currently decreasing from the peak as states and cities have started to reopen.

The letter also recognizes SWANA “for advocating on behalf of your industry and providing critical information and resources to workers, lawmakers, and the media regarding the impact of COVID-19 on waste management and recycling.” David Biderman, SWANA’s Executive Director & CEO, stated “We are very proud to receive this letter recognizing the amazing job that the solid waste industry has done managing solid waste and recyclables during the pandemic, and the specific recognition of SWANA. We will continue to play a leading role providing timely and useful information and resources to employers, employees, federal government officials, the media, and others.”

Some of this information will be provided at SWANApalooza on June 23-25. This important conference includes a livestreamed keynote by the New York City’s Department of Sanitation Commissioner Kathryn Garcia, who will discuss how her department responded to COVID-19.

Throughout the conference, speakers will be discussing the effects of COVID-19 on solid waste operations and how we can best prepare to move forward.

To learn more about virtual SWANApalooza, visit https://swanapalooza.org/.