One of the great things about having a mentor is that the pressure to succeed is not as intense as being on your own. That person is there to show you the ropes, guide you through unknowns, point out the not-so-obvious aspects of a situation, reassure you that you’re on the right track. There is another side to that coin. Once you come out from that somewhat protective shell, you may find that the ground under your feet isn’t as solid as you thought. And if you’re replacing him, as I am, there are big shoes to fill—especially if this is one of the most respected and admired people in the industry.
I feel pretty lucky to still have this calming influence nearby to turn to every now and then when my head starts spinning from input overload. I trust the quality of his teachings, and I also realize (as he so wisely passed on to me) that the more I know and learn, the more I really don’t know anything. Which is to say, the education never ends.
That is how I will approach my job as editor of MSW Management. The learning will always continue. I understand that there are experts in all aspects of this industry that will have the knowledge I need to learn. Armed with their wisdom and know-how, good decisions can be made in regards to servicing you, the reader.
Waste management is experiencing the influx of a good amount of technology. Telematics, fleet management software, hybrid engines, natural gas vehicles, safety cameras, and sensors have a growing presence with collection trucks. Material recovery facilities sport everything from new kinds of cement floors to advanced high speed sorters to innovative screening. Landfills are developing more efficient methods for capturing landfill gas and mitigating dust and odors. Recycling methods continue to steadily evolve and improve. What impact does all of this technology and innovation have?
Not long ago I wrote about the use of technology in sports. Specifically, I mentioned baseball and the implementation of instant replay and more recently calling balls and strikes with cameras, computers and graphics. There are arguments for and against their use, but I suspect we may see it all become part of the game in the not-so-distant future, just as modern baseball shoes, gloves, and uniform fabrics have become part of the game. Baseball evolved from games being played during daylight hours only, to being played in monstrous indoor arenas. The bottom line is that, despite some of these once unimaginable technological advances, the essence of the game remains: you still throw the ball, hit the ball, and catch the ball.
Waste management continues to search for the most cost effective, efficient materials, equipment, and methods to get the job done. But in line with what my editorial predecessor proffers, the job has essentially remained the same. Unlike baseball, however, I believe there can be a departure from this baseline recipe for waste and recycling. For example, what if we were to adopt a universal set of metrics so that all our efforts were measured and assessed using the same standards? What if manufacturers were able to develop a raw material that was as versatile as plastic, but could be broken back down to its raw form (recycled) using little to no energy and without the formation of any harmful emissions or toxins? The game-changers could be on the horizon, in which case we’re keeping our eyes on current practices as well as the innovations. Occasionally, we’ll look over our shoulder to see where we’ve been.
As for other areas on which to focus as this publication moves forward, I’m asking for your help. While I frequently turn to our Editorial Advisory Board, I would also like direction from you, our readers. Are you seeing what I’m seeing from the “trenches,” and how should we tell those stories? Contact me at any time at [email protected] or (805) 679-7629, and engage us on our website. Make comments. Offer opinions. Respond to comments and opinions—I look at every single one. Agree with me. Disagree with me. Keep me on my toes. And most importantly, teach me.
