Waste Management
Recycling & Municipal Waste
Salvage - 2nd Hand
Toxics Remediation
Brownfield & Superfund Cleanup
Sustainable Products - Packaging
Waste management is an industry encompassing the collecting, recycling, transporting, processing, disposing, and monitoring of anything considered waste. Most waste is generated by humans. Proper waste management is critical to reducing hazards associated with negative impacts on health, the environment, and even aesthetics. Typically, waste is buried in landfills.
Waste Management, Inc., is North America’s largest waste collection company, serving 22,000 customers, utilizing 24,000 collection trucks, and employing 50,000 people. They have made a commitment to the environment by stating they will convert waste from landfills and their energy plants into power. By 2020, Waste Management Inc. has committed to power over 2 million homes (double what they'€™re powering now) and manage 20 million tonnes of recyclable material (triple what they'€™re recycling now). They are also going to start recycling electronics.
Industry Trends
Society is becoming much more aware of the repercussions of sending garbage to a landfill. The industry still has a long way to go before the question of how to best manage and store waste is answered.
- Recycling in Supermarkets: There are many supermarkets that already participate in composting their food waste. In the future, all supermarkets will participate. Savvy businesspeople recognize the potentially lucrative aspect of an infinite source of compostable material. This material could then be turned into power or used as nutrient-rich fertilizer in agricultural sectors.
- Biodegradable Packaging: Though many people purchase products that are environmentally friendly, these products often come wrapped in copious amounts of excess packaging. Typically, such packaging goes straight to a landfill and is not biodegradable. Progressive packaging will be 100% recyclable, made from recycled materials, biodegradable, etc.
- Fees for Waste Collection: In order to limit the amount of waste each household produces, waste management companies will create a maximum amount they will pick up, then charge for everything that exceeds the limit. Many cities and towns have already implemented this rule.
Relevant Job Titles
- Biologists and Related Scientists
- Ecology Educator
- Environmental Health Officer
- Environmental Advisor
- Environmental and Occupational Toxicologist
- Environmental Chemical Engineer
- Environmental Consultants
- Environmental Education Consultant
- Environmental Health Inspector
- Environmental Impact Analyst
- Environmental Lawyer
- Environmental Planner
- Environmental Technician
- Environmental Toxicologist
- Hazardous Materials Specialist
