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Sustainable Materials Management Technical Division

SWANA’s Sustainable Materials Management Technical Division are now accepting nominations for Advisory Council Delegate. This leadership role is a unique opportunity to shape the future of waste and resource management while advancing your career.

The Advisory Council Delegate represents the division at the Advisory Council level, contributing to strategic planning, education, and advocacy efforts.

Nominations are due by June 5, 2025 – submit yours using the Call for Nominations form.

The SMM TD works to promote state-of-the-art approaches to improving management and profitability of waste reduction, recycling, organics, and special waste programs consistent with SWANA's Strategic Plan.

SMM TD members view waste as a resource and strive for circular economy results through the following actions:

Exploring Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) and deposit return systems (DRS) policies and programs.
Reducing waste at the source prevents the need to manage materials at the end of use.
Reusing and refurbishing items prolongs their useful life.
Recycling creates jobs, conserves natural resources, and saves energy.
Domestic recycling helps strengthen North American economies.
Food rescue and recovery ensures that edible food nourishes hungry people and animals.
Organic waste (food scraps and plant material) can be responsibly managed to reduce landfilled material and produce beneficial end products, such as compost and renewable energy.
Special waste, like lithium-ion batteries and electronic waste, can be hazardous and must be managed and processed safely and appropriately.
Sustainable materials management helps sustain the environment for future generations.

Volunteer for the Sustainable Materials Management Technical Division

Sustainable Materials Management Technical Division Leadership

Advisory Board Delegate

Ms. Allison S. Trulock

Managing Director - Solid Waste Practice, NewGen Strategies and Solutions

ISWA Representative

Mr. Peter Adrian

Recycling Coordinator, Solid Waste Agency of Lake County

Past Director

Mrs. Catelyn C. Scholwinski

Tech Division Director

S.C.

Stephanie Watson

Manager of Sustainable Materials Management, Hillsborough County Solid Waste Management Department

Vice Director

Amanda Jordan

Circular Economy Project Manager, City of Phoenix (AZ)

YP Tech Division Representative

Kelli Farmer

Sustainable Materials Management Professional, SCS Engineers

Hot Topics

The Sustainable Materials Management Technical Division is focusing on these hot topics:

Building public trust to mitigate/eliminate public trust in private and public organizations

Legislation, Regulations, and Grant programs: interest in proposed and recently-passed programs at the state and federal levels, particularly around EPR, PFAS, organics management, and recycling infrastructure

Emerging food scraps and organics program management: including technology, communication, and program implementation

Sustainable Materials Management Technical Division Committees

Awards Committee

The Awards committee evaluates nominations and presents division Awards.

View the Sustainable Materials Management TD Awards

Legislative and Regulatory Committee

Tracks current and pending legislation at the federal and state levels, providing comments and writing letters to elected officials in support of the stance taken by SWANA on key issues.

Content Committee

The Content Committee develops technical content for SWANA events, programs, newsletters, webinars, etc. The Content Committee works to contribute ideas for future SWANA technical presentations, tour locations, other written content and program elements associated with the subject matter.

Training Committee

Provides training and education through courses and publications, assuring program quality, working with the SWANA Manager of Training and Certification Programs.

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Participate in the Sustainable Materials Management Technical Division

Stay up-to-date with our MySWANA Community. Join a discussion thread. View shared files and announcements. Connect with fellow members.

See the SMM TD MySWANA Community (login required)