GBB Sponsors Capitol Steps Performance
at WASTECON's Networking Event

The special performance by the Capitol Steps, an American musical political satire group, during WASTECON's networking event on Wednesday, August 15, 2012, from 6 to 9 p.m., in Washington, DC, will be sponsored by GBB. Organized by the Virginia 'Old Dominion' and Mid-Atlantic Chapters of the Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA), the event will celebrate SWANA's 50th Anniversary with a night filled with food, laughs, music and entertainment.

Joining GBB as co-sponsors are RRT Design & Construction and Renewable Energy from Waste, a new publication from the Recycling Today Media Group.

"GBB is proud and happy to present the Capitol Steps as the centerpiece of this year's WASTECON networking party and celebration of SWANA's anniversary," said GBB President Harvey Gershman. "It promises to be a fun-filled evening where industry players get a chance to mingle, wind down, and enjoy the evening in the middle of this important conference."

The Capitol Steps started out in 1981 as a group of Senate staffers who set out to satirize the very people and places that employed them. The group takes ideas ripped from the headlines and creates parodies & skits that highlight their special brand of satirical humor.

Although not all of the current members of the Steps are former Capitol Hill staffers, taken together the performers have worked in a total of 18 Congressional offices and represent 62 years of collective House and Senate staff experience. The group has released over 30 albums and has performed on NBC, CBS, ABC, PBS, NPR, and in various venues around the United States.

In addition to the Capitol Steps sponsorship, GBB will be an exhibitor as in past years (Booth #1141) and will have several representatives making presentations and moderating sessions:

• "Status Report and Update on North American Waste Conversion Technologies Projects,"
  Harvey Gershman, GBB President, Speaker

• "When You Need Community Support: Making Informed Decisions Using Low-Cost Research,"
  Mary-Jane Atwater, GBB Principal Associate, Speaker

• "New Award-Winning Collection Programs: Fort Wayne, IN, Reaping Significant ROI,"
  Tim Giardina, GBB Vice President, Speaker

• "CNG as a Vehicular Fuel for Refuse Collection,"
  Tom Reardon, GBB Vice President, Moderator

• "Contracting for Sustainability,"
  Elizabeth Rice, GBB Consultant I, Moderator

>> PDF of past GBB presentations (on left column)

>> WASTECON information

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City of Fort Wayne, IN, Wins SWANA 2012 Collection Systems Excellence Award

In June, the Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA) announced the winners of its 2012 Excellence Awards Program, which recognizes outstanding solid waste programs and facilities from some of the most innovative and dynamic organizations throughout North America. In the Collection Systems category, the City of Fort Wayne, IN, finished first with the Gold Award for the implementation of a new collection program that generated a major positive impact on recycling participation, recyclables collected, and funds generated through a new revenue sharing agreement with the contractor. Winners of each of the 14 categories will be recognized at the upcoming annual WASTECON conference in August.

In late 2011, Fort Wayne was also recognized with two prestigious awards presented by the Indiana Association of Cities and Towns (IACT):

• the Community Achievement Award for the City's recycling program and efficiencies that saved money, generated revenues, doubled community participation and reduced residential garbage fees by more than a million dollars; and

• the Green Community Award for the successful recycling program.

GBB congratulates the City of Fort Wayne for its commitment, hard work, and perseverance in implementing a new efficient, award-winning, collection/recycling program, and is proud to have assisted the City during the process.

>> SWANA's Announcement

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GBB Enters Into Cooperation Agreement with Renewable Energy from Waste Magazine

In the first quarter of 2012, GBB entered into a Cooperation Agreement with Renewable Energy from Waste (REW), a new publication launched by the Recycling Today Media Group. Starting with the inaugural issue published in April, REW will produce a quarterly print and digital magazine, a monthly e-newsletter, and a website. As part of the agreement, GBB President Harvey Gershman joined the publication's Editorial Advisory Board and will contribute a column to each print issue.

GBB will also contribute yearly articles from GBB consultants and provide REW with guidance and insight on the history, evolution, and current situation of the waste-to-energy market.

"Needless to say, we're very excited to have the opportunity to share our insight and knowledge with the industry's stakeholders. I hope that readers will enjoy my columns, and look forward to feedback or comments about the articles, in particular, or the future direction of the publication, in general."

-- Harvey Gershman

>> Read his first article, entitled "The Growing Role of WTE."

>> View an interview with Kristin Smith, Managing Editor of REW, where he discusses his role as a columnist for REW and the role waste-to-energy technology plays in diverting material from the waste stream.

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GBB Adopt-A-Highway Litter Pickup

On April 26 2002, GBB proudly adopted the stretch of Route 669 (Prosperity Avenue) from Route 50 to Gallows Road in Fairfax, Virginia, near GBB's headquarters. Since then, litter collection has been performed on a regular basis on the adopted stretch of roadway. Pictured here, from the June 2012 collection event, (left to right): Rob Sommers, Ljupka Arsova, Laura Ginchereau, and Elizabeth Rice.

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