Toronto: Canadian Waste & Recycling Expo

Nov. 14-15, 2012. Canadian Waste & Recycling Expo (CWRE) is Canada’s big meet for waste management and recycling professionals representing companies in sectors like: Collection, Hauling, Disposal, Construction & Demolition, Facility/Site Operation, and Landfill Operations.  The aim is to serve the waste, recycling and public works markets.  The trade show includes events including an educational program produced by the Canadian Waste Sector Symposium.  Delegates were there analyzing new products and services, networking with colleagues and competitors, and gaining valuable insight into the latest industry advances. Under discussion were composting systems, incineration, thermal technologies, landfill operations, recycling equipment and services, waste treatment and the like.  Nobody there thought it was a “waste” of time….

Phoenix: Waste Management Conference

Feb. 27 – Mar. 01, 2012. WM in this case stands for Waste Management, but this is about more than just taking out the garbage.  WM is a non-profit organization dedicated to education and opportunity in the field.  The big opportunity, it seems, is in getting rid of radioactive waste.  This whole thing was conceived to provide a forum for discussing and seeking cost-effective and environmentally responsible solutions to the safe management and disposition of radioactive waste and radioactive materials.  Sponsoring organizations include the American Nuclear Society (ANS) and the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development/Nuclear Energy Agency (OECD/NEA). One session was on “high-level waste and waste incidental to reprocessing” — which basically means that even waste produces waste….

Indianapolis: Pumper Cleaner Show

Feb. 27 – Mar. 01, 2012. Each year, the Pumper and Cleaner International Environmental Expo attracts some 10,000 attendees from more than 4,000 companies, who can visit more than 500 exhibits.  Attendees included septic system installation & service contractors, drain and sewer cleaning & repair contractors, portable restroom operators, industrial maintenance & cleaning contractors, and municipal water & sewer system maintenance managers. They were there to study up on techniques like Industrial Vacuuming, Hydroexcavation, Trenchless Pipe Repair, Utility Location and even Dewatering and Grease handling.  Collectively, we were told, these are “greatest people in the world”.  You just sometimes think twice about shaking hands with them….