With landfills filling up and natural resources being used up, it's important to become informed on waste management groups, regulations and options. To keep updated in waste management issues check out:

1. A waste management council
2. Waste management associations
3. A waste management professional organization

Professional waste management organizations are a good way to keep up to date on federal and local regulations in the industry, as well as the recent research on how waste management can become financially and environmentally more efficient.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Check out waste management councils that promote waste management regulations and advancement

Waste management councils help educate the public and provide information on current federal regulations for waste disposal.

I recommend: The Environmental Literacy Council provides links to waste management options and environmental laws and treaties. The Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA) promotes advances in environmental and economical polices in solid waste management for municipalities. Under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is responsible for federal regulations on waste management.

Search waste management professional organizations for industry information

To stay current on the waste management industry, investigate websites that provide professional development, networking opportunities and information.

I recommend: The Air & Waste Management Association (A&WMA) is a non-profit association that offers information, networking opportunities and professional development to professional organizations for waste management world-wide. The National Solid Wastes Management Association (NSWMA) is a trade association that promotes environmental and more efficient waste management, and it provides education, research, training, as well as federal and state advocacy. Located in Sweden, The International Solid Waste Association (ISWA) provides information and training to waste management trade professionals around the world.

Find waste management associations dedicated to alternative waste management

If tt's important to you that that waste management groups take a proactive role in researching more efficient environmental and economical techniques for the industry, there are many options for you.

I recommend: The Wildlife Habitat Council provides funding, event and information on natural resources. The College of Agriculture and Home Economics at New Mexico State University has published a guide to alternatives for garbage waste management professional groups. The guide promotes recycling, reducing and reusing as viable alternatives to the overflowing landfill problem. The University of Minnesota has a fact sheet from a study of how to use fewer sources and create less waste management in animal food sources.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Many of the larger waste management professional organizations sponsor their own programs on alternatives and replenishing natural resources.
• •  Each state's department of natural resources offers information on waste management, regulations and alternatives for local regions.