The Waste Age Wire is an e-mail newsletter from the Waste Age magazine staff, designed to provide you with a quick view of news, events and upcoming magazine topics. For in-depth news coverage, visit WasteAge.Com.

IN THIS ISSUE:

Opinion Poll

News:

- Arsenic Label to Show Up on CCA-Treated Wood Products

- Waste Systems International Closes Its "Public" Doors

- Waste Management Refinances Bank Credit Facilities

- Eastern Shore Files Suit Against DSWA

- Hauler Hero

NewsBriefs: Acquisition, Announcement, Award, etc. Events

Highlights from Waste Age's July issue

OPINION POLL:

Due to technical difficulties, we’re repeating the question:

Waste brokers, the "middle-men" between generators and haulers, represent:

a) a good opportunity for haulers to increase their business; b) a threat to haulers' businesses; c) other

E-mail your comments to [email protected].

Comments are subject to publication. Please include your name, city, state and company.

OPINION POLL RESULTS:

In response to the problem of recruiting qualified truck drivers, the Truckload Carriers Association (TCA) has proposed a pilot program to train 1,000 18- to 20-year-olds. Would you hire an 18-year-old with a commercial drivers license to drive your trucks? You said: 49 percent, yes; 51 percent, no

"Yes. As long as we allow 18-year-olds to vote … and join the military, which means handling guns, heavy equipment and making some [big] moral decisions in battle, then 18-year-olds should have full privileges across the board. I would like to see more training for all new drivers, regardless of age with some emphasis on first aid, emergency response, basic auto mechanics [and safety].

—Deborah Barton, Montezuma County Landfill, Cortez, Colo.

For additional comments on this subject, see Waste Age's August 2001 issue.

NEWS:

Arsenic Label to Show Up on CCA-Treated Wood Products

Washington, D.C. — As part of an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) program designed to increase awareness of the presence of chromated copper arsenate (CCA) in wood, consumer warning labels will appear on nearly all treated lumber in the United States starting this fall. Currently, CCA-treated wood is sent to unlined construction and demolition (C&debris landfills.

Waste Systems International Closes Its "Public" Doors

Lexington, Mass. — Waste Systems International Inc. has ended its run as a public reporting company. The company said the costs required to maintain public status outweigh the benefits. Waste Systems filed for termination of its status with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 2, 2001, after filing for bankruptcy protection in January 2001 under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code.

Waste Management Refinances Bank Credit Facilities

Houston — Faced with expiring credit facilities, Waste Management Inc. has refinanced 2.5 billion in new bank lines, which include a 364-day credit line and a $1.75 billion five-year revolving credit facility. The new facilities will be used for letters of credit and for working capital.

Eastern Shore Files Suit Against DSWA

Little Creek, Del. — Eastern Shore Environmental Inc., a small collection and transfer station company, has filed suit in federal court, challenging the Delaware Solid Waste Authority's (DSWA) "protectionist regulations" as violating the Commerce Clause and as an illegal attempt to monopolize the solid waste market. According to the company, earlier this month, the DSWA adopted regulations prohibiting Delaware towns and cities from doing business with anyone else, regardless of price. The regulations are expected to take effect July 1. Eastern has asked for a stay of the effective date, pending the outcome of its lawsuits.

Hauler Hero

Luther, Okla. — A trash collector arrived just in the nick of time to help save a family in Luther, Okla. Upon seeing a rural home engulfed in flames, the hauler entered the home to alert the sleeping family, investigators said. According to local TV station KOCO, "The side room was blazing" by that time. The home owner didn't have time to do anything except get out. Although the home was destroyed, the family was saved and will be staying with neighbors.

NEWSBRIEFS: Acquisition, Announcement, Award, etc.

Acquisition

- B.R. Lee Industries (LeeBoy), Denver, has acquired Rosco Manufacturing, Madison, S.D., a road maintenance equipment provider.

- Eaton, Cleveland, Ohio, announces its acquisition of Queretaro, Mexico-based Transmisiones’ (TSP) heavy duty and medium duty truck clutch manufacturing assets.

Announcement

The Delaware Solid Waste Authority, Dover, Del., has launched a statewide Electronic Goods and Recycling Program for households and businesses. The program will collect an array of electronic waste.

Award

Biocorp, Redondo Beach, Calif., has received the Discover Award for Environmental Innovation from the Christopher Columbus Fellowship Foundation for its corn-based plastic, Nature Works PLA.

Partnership

The American Plastics Council, Arlington, Va., and the California Integrated Waste Management Board, Sacramento, Calif., have unveiled a statewide public education campaign to encourage Californians to recycle plastic bottles.

People

McClain Industries, Sterling Heights, Mich., has appointed Ronald Briggs to its board of directors.

Website

Safety Vision announces the re-launch of its website www.safetyvision.com, which will include products and specifications.

EVENTS:

July 21-24, 2001:

Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries (ISRI) Executive Management Seminar with Ohio State University Columbus, Ohio. Contact: Lisa Ness. Phone: (202) 662-8534. E-mail: [email protected].

August 20-22, 2001

Environmental Challenges at Federal Facilities: Past, Present and Future

Tampa, Fla. Sponsored by the Association of State and Territorial Solid Waste Management Officials (ASTSWMO). Contact: Dania Rodriguez, ASTSWMO, by Friday, July 20. Phone: (202) 624-5973. E-mail: [email protected]. Website: www.astswmo.org.

September 3-6, 2001

ISWA 2001 International Waste Congress

Stavanger, Norway. Register by July 15, 2001. Contact: International Solid Waste Association. E-mail: [email protected]. Website: www.stavanger-forum.no/iswa2001.

September 12-13, 2001

North Dakota Solid Waste &Recycling Symposium

Grand Forks, N.D. Contact: Angela Schneider. Phone: (701) 298-6944. E-mail: [email protected].

September 14, 2001

National Solid Wastes Management Association (NSWMA) Maryland/Delaware Chapter Golf Tournament.

White Hall, Md. Contact: Cathy Maimon, meetings department. Phone toll-free: (800) 424-2869.

IN WASTE AGE'S JULY ISSUE:

Features:

- Colorful Haulers: Waste Age announces the winners of its 23rd Annual Design Contest.

- Sorry, Landfill Closed: What's happening to landfills in their afterlife?

- Why Are My Insurance Rates Going Up?: Although insurance premiums always will be cyclical, there are ways to protect yourself.

Business Trends:

- How to Start a Bottle Recycling Plan

- Report Claims with Road Runner Speed

- Penn State Palm Sizes Hazwaste Program

Business Briefs:

- Los Angeles Airport Creates Energy from Food Waste

- Proposed Highway Safety Rule Gets Tough on Commercial Drivers

- Balefill's Future Remains Uncertain

- Newsbriefs: Acquisitions, Awards, Fiscal, etc.

Columnists:

- Circular File: Less Mowing, Less Waste, by Chaz Miller

- Legal: Self-Haul Ban Upheld, by Barry Shanoff

- Profiles in Garbage: High-Density Polyethylene, by Chaz Miller