Introduction

Welcome to the site of the Northern California/Gold Rush Chapter of the Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA). Since 1963, solid waste professionals from the Northern California have met regularly to share information that has kept the membership at the forefront of the solid waste management field. The Northern California Chapter today has over 360 members and is growing. Our membership is well diversified through out the Northern California Region, which allows excellent peer matching in gaining the cutting edge knowledge that we all strive for. Each year the Northern California Chapter conducts six general memberships meetings, which include visits to state-of-the-art operations, presentations by the top people in the field, and discussions of legislative and regulatory issues that affect the future of the solid waste profession. The Northern California Chapter also works with the Central and Southern Chapters in creating an annual Western Regional Symposium, conducts solid waste management certification programs (in cooperation with the State of California), and maintains a Legislative Task Force to review and comment on legislative and regulatory issues directly and through our legislative advocate in Sacramento who provides a voice with our legislative representative and Cal-EPA.

As a member of the Northern California Chapter you will also receive the many benefits of being a member of SWANA, the largest association (approximately 7,700 members) of solid waste professionals in North America. SWANA offers a wide range of technical information through peer matching, publications, and training & certification programs. SWANA also offers a wide range of annual symposiums (Waste Reduction, Recycling & Composting; Landfill Gas; Waste-to-Energy; Landfill, Planning and Management). Each Fall SWANA also holds Wastecon, the popular International Waste Exposition (with approximately 4,000 people attending each year) that includes an equipment show, technical sessions, and a social environment, which you will not want to miss. You will receive monthly newsletters (MSW Solutions) and a full subscription to MSW Management Magazine, the authoritative industry journal read by more than 25,000 professionals. You'll also be eligible for other benefits including hotel and auto rental discounts.

By becoming a member of SWANA you will join the ranks of top professionals involved in all aspects of public and private sector solid waste management. If you have not become a member, join today on-line using your credit card at www.swana.org. Just click on “SWANA store” and go to the membership section. You can also become a member by contacting our membership services team at 1-800-GO-SWANA (467-9262).

The Northern California/Gold Rush Chapter welcomes you to the site and hopes that you will enjoy the activities offered by this progressive association.