NWRA requests SWEEP clarifications

The president and CEO of the Arlington, Virginia-based National Waste & Recycling Association (NWRA) has written a letter to the creators of the SWEEP standards seeking clarification on parts of the proposed SWEEP Municipal Standard.

NWRA President and CEO Darrell K. Smith opens his letter to SWEEP objecting to its decision not to accept comments from trade associations during the three-week period that SWEEP is seeking comments on the latest version of the Municipal Standard.

Smith’s letter expresses uncertainty about “who the standard applies to” as one objection. He adds that “what materials are included in  this standard is lacking clarity,” asking the SWEEP standards group in particular for clarification on biosolids.

Another question raised by Smith is whether some municipal waste and recycling programs can meet the standard from the outset, or measured improvements be required by all cities and waste districts that apply. Additionally, Smith expresses uncertainty about how or whether small cities and districts will be scored differently compared to large ones.

Other questions asked by Smith pertain to definitions of terms, including “beneficial utilization, compostable, environmental footprint and sustainable materials management.”

Regarding the material recovery facility (MRF) recycling portion of the standard, Smith seeks further clarification on how contamination or residue rates will be measured at facilities. He also asks whether incinerator diversion will be weighted equally with landfill diversion.

His final set of questions relates to how or if SWEEP will incorporate ANSI standards versus developing its own standards.