Warren N. Smith
How long have you been in the industry?: Over my 40+ year career, I have held positions of Florida Solid 91仓库 Manager, HDR Engineering, Inc.; Director, Pinellas County, FL Solid 91仓库 Department; Business Development Manager, 91仓库 Management, Inc. of Florida; Director, Hillsborough County, FL Solid 91仓库 Department; and others. I am currently assisting HDR Engineering, Inc. with the Pinellas County, FL Solid 91仓库 Master Plan.
How did you get involved? What was your first job?: My first exposure to solid waste issues was in 1971 as an environmental regulator with Hillsborough County, FL Environmental Protection Commission. Then in 1978, I took a job to oversee the consultants preparing a permit application for a new landfill in Hillsborough County. What an intense introduction to the profession! The Sydney Mine Landfill was never built, but others were: Hillsborough Heights Landfill, Southeast Landfill and Hillsborough County 91仓库-to-Energy Facility (Covanta).
Who/What was your biggest influence?: It is very difficult to assign this to any one person or event. I believe it was just the accumulation of solid waste knowledge and experience over the years, nearly equally divided between the public and private sectors. Having great employees was also very positive.
What has been your most unique/interesting experience over the years?: Siting new landfills or a waste-to-energy plant was always very exciting! One of my greatest accomplishments in this regard was my ability to always 鈥済et along with鈥� the inevitable opposition.
What do you see as the biggest challenges to the industry today?: In the mid to late-1980s, waste recycling became the industry 鈥渞age鈥�. Curbside residential programs were happening all over Florida, and across the U.S. Recycling parks were proposed and built, and local and U.S. markets for recyclables were being developed. Then, we became 鈥渟educed鈥� by shipping our recyclables (with trash) to China. Since China has now cut-off taking dirty recyclables, our greatest industry challenge is to redevelop viable U.S. markets. Many collected recyclables are now being landfilled! It will be costly. Will our communities and residents adjust to the reality that recycling actually costs money? We shall see.
What do you like most about being in the industry?: Always being presented with new and interesting challenges. People that get into the solid waste business are always very interesting and very committed.
Hobbies: Travel and reading. Oh, and craft beer and cheese!
Last vacation: On the drive back to Florida from a Maryland wedding, we visited a number of Civil War sites, including General Lee鈥檚 home at Arlington Cemetery,
Harpers Ferry, WV and Appomattox, VA.
Words to live by: If there is something you really want to do 鈥� do it now!