Everyone, its seems, is interested in reducing their environmental impact these days (well, maybe except for U.S. Sen. James M. Inhofe, R-Okla.) Accordingly, this year's WasteExpo will feature no shortage of educational sessions focused on going green. Below is a summary of such sessions currently scheduled:

Federal Perspectives on Climate Change

Climate change is the dominant environmental challenge today. Federal and state policymakers will discuss current efforts to regulate greenhouse gas emissions and their potential impacts on the solid waste industry.

Measuring and Reducing Your Facility's Carbon Footprint

Reducing greenhouse gas emissions will not only protect the environment and public health, but also will increase efficiency of your operations. This session will provide an overview of the process of performing a carbon audit, its costs, and necessary changes to reduce your carbon footprint.

Green Initiatives and Your Company's Image

"Going green" is a matter of social and environmental responsibility and perhaps regulatory mandate. These initiatives also are an opportunity to create a positive image of your company with existing and future customers. Learn how to get credit for environmental stewardship and avoid the pitfalls of "green washing."

LEED - U.S. Green Building Practices

The U.S. Green Building Council established a program called the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) as a means of creating a nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction, and operation of high performance green buildings. Speakers will explain the program with examples of waste industry green buildings and how you might implement LEED at your facility.

Waste Conversion Technologies: Fact or Fiction

Many private and public sector solid waste officials and considering alternatives to landfills and incinerators, including plasma arc, gasification, and other waste conversion technologies; but are they viable? This session will include a discussion on these technologies and how to assess whether they make sense in your community.

Zero Waste in Two Parts

The term "zero waste" is constantly in the news, but not without confusion over exactly what it means and its impacts on the solid waste industry. In this two part session, definitions will be presented from various perspectives and waste haulers and municipal governments will discuss why and how they are implementing successful zero waste programs.

In addition to these sessions, WasteExpo is taking certain steps to reduce its impact on the environment. Click here to view a listing of these initiatives.

For the complete conference program, click here. And click here to request attendee information and send an e-mail to [email protected] to request exhibitor information.