Sustainable procurement or “green purchasing” is an initiative that is often driven — and achieved — through municipal purchasing decisions. From buying products made of recycled materials or weighing the energy efficiency of an appliance, to contracting firms with socially … Continue reading →
The city of El Paso, Texas, will soon be repurposing treated wastewater to usable drinking water through a process called advanced purification. The project is designed in an effort to conserve precious water resources in the desert environment, as well … Continue reading →
When it comes to showcasing and promoting the interests of its youngest citizens, the city of Pembroke Pines, Fla., doesn’t “kid” around. Not only does the mayor’s office host an annual all-day party to celebrate this special constituency, but the … Continue reading →
Though the time for “spring” cleaning is long past, there are still debris-littered hedgerows and various items of refuse and trash in municipalities that periodically will need to be cleaned up. Two cities featured here have taken the lead and … Continue reading →
There was a time when smoking was promoted as being glamorous and “everybody” did it — before we realized the health consequences for smokers and those in their proximity. It’s the dangers of secondhand smoke as well as the litter … Continue reading →
David Biderman, SWANA’s CEO and executive director, said the East Coast is, in particular, grappling with such an issue. In the Boston area, for example, decision makers have significant concerns about whether there is sufficient landfill capacity going forward and … Continue reading →
The thoughtful firefighters in the Shreveport, La., firehouses are putting their delicious talents to work for an appreciative, ever-widening audience. “My wife, Jeanie, and I love travel cooking shows,” said Captain Allen Dantes, a 31-year firefighter at Central Fire Station … Continue reading →
When it comes to funding municipal solid waste services, two types of accounts appear to be the most common throughout most of the United States: an enterprise fund account or general fund account. Whichever account a city or county … Continue reading →
Sometimes we get where we are going in unexpected ways. Back in her undergraduate days, if someone had told Paula Ely that she would one day work as an operator at a wastewater treatment plant, she wouldn’t have believed it. … Continue reading →
As one of the world’s largest processors of recyclables, China placing new restrictions on what recyclables it will allow to be imported has forced cities throughout the U.S. to make changes to their recycling programs. Deltona, Fla. The city … Continue reading →
Some municipalities pride themselves in looking far into the future. Mystic, Conn., etched its place on the map by ushering visitors way into the past. The town of 4,205 residents is ideally situated to have served as a thriving seaport … Continue reading →
