CEO Column

This month marks the three year anniversary of the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. The past three years have been challenging for all of us on both the personal and professional levels. I want to thank all of you for maintaining your SWANA membership, helping us develop our new Strategic Plan, and returning to in-person chapter and national events, including our training events.

We have learned a lot during the pandemic. Many of the daily tasks that we did at the office could be performed at home, thanks to expanded use of digital technologies such as Zoom and Teams. Work is something we do, not a place we go to. Also, many employees have a different work-life balance in 2023 than they did in 2019.

The reduction in workers going to their offices five days each week is having dramatic effects on some cities. Mass transit systems that relied on commuters have experienced sharp declines in riders and revenue. New York City, Washington DC, and San Francisco report office occupancy is less than fifty percent. Many of the downtown restaurants and other small businesses that relied on office workers have suffered, and some of them have closed. The reduced foot traffic in some cities, combined with increased crime, is forcing municipal leaders to consider major changes to help revitalize their downtown neighborhoods.

One critical municipal service that must be maintained – if not expanded – during these challenging times is the collection of solid waste. Communities with lots of trash at the curb, blowing down the street, or collecting in vacant lots are not desirable places for people to work or live. Providing effective and efficient solid waste management usually reflects strong leadership, and often means less litter and less plastic in your waterways.

An increasing number of solid waste directors in these successful communities are “moving on up” to executive positions in cities and counties. This reflects their strong leadership over the past few years and the results they have delivered for the communities they serve. I am very proud that these solid waste leaders’ management skills are being recognized, and suspect their affiliation with SWANA played a role in their professional success. I hope these recently promoted individuals will come to upcoming WASTECON’s and speak about their new positions and professional journeys. I think our YPs and others would get great benefit from those stories.

With SOAR next month in Atlanta and WASTECON about six months in the future, now is a good time to think about how your professional journey will benefit from increased engagement with SWANA over the rest of 2023 and beyond. Whether at national events or chapter conferences, via training, or through our webinars, the Forum, or our website, SWANA provides you with the networking, resources and tools you need to be successful. Register, attend, and engage. Encourage others at your company or agency to do the same.

I look forward to seeing many of you at SOAR or chapter events later this year.