In case you missed it: Thoughtful, newsworthy comments from industry professionals, consumers and legislators.
"We are pleased to demonstrate how a system like this can be a real asset as we move towards a world run on clean energy."
— Renee Comly, president and CEO of Biomass Energy Systems Inc., to Pacific Business News on a new waste-to-energy project in Hawaii. The project will showcase how gasification technology can convert 10 tons of waste per day into electricity.
"Your integrity is your best customer service tool."
— John W. Casella, CEO and chairman of Casella Waste Systems, on the best tactics to keeping waste customers happy. Casella explained that being honest and working hard to solve problems can both help build trust among customers.
"I am confident we can win the war on trash. However, it won’t happen overnight, and it calls for an all-hands on deck approach..."
— Los Angeles Councilmember Curren Price to The New 9th on the city's "Clean & Green" campaign that aims to clean up the ninth district. $1 million will be put toward initiatives such as increasing sanitation efforts and installing new trash cans.
"I make more money than someone who went to college."
— Tony Sankar, New York trash worker, to CNN Money on the topic of garbage hauler salaries. CNN research showed that wages for trash workers have grown 18% since the end of the recession in June 2009, compared to an average of 14% for other types of workers.
“We would certainly hate for a very unfortunate incident like this to cause people to stop participating in a program that has tremendous long-range benefits."
— Lewisville, TX spokesman James Kunke to the Dallas Morning News regarding an audit that revealed 8,337 tons of recyclables from North Texas were dumped in landfills. Waste Management fired five managers as a result of the audit.
"While green building research has indicated very effective paths to build low energy structures, these paths are meaningful only for those with capital."
— A grant proposal from Washington State University for "TrashWalls," a project that will develop and test walls made of plastic bags, cardboard, and other waste materials for a low-cost and green insulation option. The EPA awarded a $15,000 grant for the project.