The Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA) awarded Harvey Gershman, founder owner associate and co-founder of Gershman, Brickner & Bratton, Inc. (GBB), the 2019 Lawrence Lecture Award at WASTECON 2019 in Phoenix this week.

SWANA’s Lawrence Lecturer Award is presented to an individual recognized as a national or international industry leader and expert with substantial, significant and sustained contributions to the solid waste management field. Recognition can be for work in research, management, publications, teaching and/or political action.

“Harvey Gershman has been a leader in the solid waste industry, and in SWANA, for decades. Harvey is a consummate industry professional, with experience in a wide variety of solid waste systems and topics, and has certainly earned his legacy in the industry,” said David Biderman, SWANA’s executive director and CEO, in a statement.

With a passion for the environment that stems from the first Earth Day in 1970, Harvey co-founded solid waste management consulting firm GBB nearly 40 years ago and dedicated his whole career to the development of innovative solutions that resulted in sustainable, efficient integrated waste management systems accepted by GBB's communities and leadership. He has managed the preparation of long-term plans, market studies, feasibility analyses, technology reviews, procurements and project financing activities for a broad range of solid waste management, recycling, composting and waste-to-energy projects worldwide. 

Harvey is also a career-long active SWANA member. He was a past International Board member, helped launch SWANA’s Recycling Technical Division and led the development and teaching of the “Paying for Your Integrated Solid Waste Management System” SWANA training course.

“I am honored to receive this award and thankful for all the friends, mentors, colleagues, clients and organizations that made it possible to pursue my passion for the environment throughout my career. I hope the forthcoming generation of solid waste management professionals can move the needle much further toward zero waste to landfill in the U.S.,” said Gershman in a statement.

Harvey was honored at WASTECON 2019: Pathway to Innovation in Phoenix, where he gave his Lawrence Lecturer keynote presentation. He provided his firsthand take into the evolution of solid waste management since the ‘70s; lessons learned along the way; insight into key projects; words of wisdom; and some interesting anecdotes based on his extensive industry experience.