Christine Hutcherson, Director, Member Services

In these uncertain economic times, you want to be sure you're spending your money wisely and finding ways to save some too. Association memberships often come under scrutiny, with members wondering if they're receiving value for the money they've invested.

The National Solid Wastes Management Association (NSWMA) and the Waste Equipment Technology Association (WASTEC) provide their members with a variety of affinity programs and partnerships designed to save their members money — often enough to offset the cost of membership dues.

APPI Savings Solutions — This program identifies and implements options that reduce the costs of each member's energy, utility and telecommunications services. Members pay no upfront, hourly or retainer fees. APPI only is compensated when it demonstrates and delivers savings and/or refunds. Services available through the APPI Savings Solutions include an electricity buyers program, a natural gas management program and a utility audit program. Savings and availability vary by state.

Card Payment Services (CPS) — Accepting credit cards is an expected practice in businesses of all types, but paying high processing fees eats at your profits. CPS assists our members with credit card processing and offers the lowest rates available. This includes Utility Rate Pricing for NSWMA members and Level 3 Processing for WASTEC members. In addition to acceptance of Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express, CPS also handles checks and Automated Clearing House (ACH) payments. Current members have seen their processing fees decrease by over 30 percent!

Concorde, Inc. — Provides employee screening, and drug and alcohol testing services to help you save time and stay in compliance. Services include background checks, drug and alcohol testing, and driver-file management provided in a time-sensitive manner.

EIA Insurance Programs — In partnership with AmWINS Program Underwriters and Zurich North America, this program provides coverage for companies engaged in almost any type of non-hazardous waste service activity, such as solid waste hauling, septic services, transfer station operations or landfills. Coverage includes auto, general liability, workers' compensation, umbrella and pollution liability.

UPS Freight — Take advantage of the freight discount shipment program with UPS Freight and receive savings of 70 percent on your less-than-truckload (LTL) shipments. Enrollment is free with no obligations and no minimum shipping requirements. Whether your LTL needs are coast to coast or close to home, you can trust that UPS Freight will pick up and deliver your shipments intact and on time.

WasteExpo — NSWMA and WASTEC partner with Penton Media, the show's organizer, to offer significant savings to our members. Members receive significant discounts on exhibit space, a contribution towards their dues based on exhibit space square footage and discounted registration fees to attend the show. Some members' dues are completely paid by exhibiting at WasteExpo.

And then there are the intangibles: promotion of our members through the Waste Industry Marketplace, an online buyers' guide that can be accessed at www.wastec.org or www.wasteage.com; the WASTEC Directory and NSWMA's upcoming image campaign; recognition of members, from drivers to long-standing industry leaders, through our many awards programs; networking opportunities that allow members to meet and learn from one another and make contacts to increase business; and education and training to help drivers do their jobs more safely and efficiently, and allow our members to run their businesses more effectively.

For more information about joining NSWMA or WASTEC, or any of the programs mentioned above, please contact Christine Hutcherson at 202-364-3707 or [email protected].