The Lancaster County Solid Waste Management Authority was awarded the Solid Waste Association of North America Bronze Excellence in Solid Waste Management Award in the Special Waste division for the success of its Household Hazardous Waste program.

In March 2006, the new convenient drive-through HHW facility opened at 1299 Harrisburg Pike in Lancaster providing County residents a state-of-the-art building with regular business hours for proper disposal and recycling of computers, paints, cleaners, fluorescent bulbs, and other items.

LCSWMA began its free HHW program in 1991 and over the past 16 years, more than 2,400 tons of materials that should not be placed in the trash have been delivered by residents to the facility.

Within these 16 years, over 83,000 customer visits to the HHW facility have been recorded, with more than 16,400 so far in 2007. Lancaster County’s HHW program is the only one of its type in Pennsylvania, providing residents a permanent facility for delivery of household hazardous wastes as they are generated, instead of having to store materials in the home until a specific date is scheduled.

“SWANA is pleased to honor the Lancaster County Solid Waste Management Authority for the outstanding accomplishments they have achieved over the past year. Their commitment to advancing solid waste management is resulting in a cleaner environment and improved public health. We are very proud of their efforts.” said Dr. John Skinner, Executive Director and CEO of the Solid Waste Association of North America.

“We are proud of Lancaster County’s HHW program and believe it is one of the best in the nation, and are pleased that our solid waste peers have recognized it as such with this award. The positive customer feedback we have received since opening the new HHW facility at the Transfer Station complex affirms this achievement,” commented Jim Warner, LCSWMA Executive Director.

SWANA’s Excellence Awards Program recognizes outstanding solid waste programs and facilities that promote socially, environmentally and economically sound management of solid waste. Award winners demonstrated their commitment to environmental regulation compliance, program efficiency, safety and progress.

8/17/2007