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Las Vegas, April 2023: Beyond the Glitz — Exploring the World of Waste Management at the Waste Expo

Las Vegas, long known as the entertainment capital of the world, holds another title that might surprise many: it is also the convention capital of the world. From the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) to the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) show, the city hosts a wide array of events, including niche industry expos like the Concrete Expo and the Utility Expo.

As a photographer and on camera talent at SEN 1 Media, I usually cover mainstream events, but I’m given the freedom to explore offbeat topics that might intrigue our readers. This time, I ventured into an unexpected territory — The Waste Expo.

Scanning through the city’s calendar of events for early May, ahead of my two-month European assignment, The Waste Expo piqued my interest. Given the increasing focus on sustainability, I wanted to learn more about how the industry is transforming waste into valuable resources.

My Summary:

On the first day of the Waste expo, as I arrived at the west hall of the las Vegas convention center. I was greeted with shiny waste management vehicles of all sizes, for a second I almost forget that the ones aggressively handling my poor trash bins once a week were once that clean. Before I dive into my full summary, a quick thank to Ms. Sanchez, the Marketing Manager, who kindly assisted me in obtaining the necessary media access. This allowed me to delve into the event and get a comprehensive look at the innovations reshaping waste management.

“Transforming Refuse into Resources”

One of the key takeaways from the expo was the distinction between “trash” and “waste.” While we often use the terms interchangeably, trash is just one form of waste. In fact, I learned that within the category of trash alone, there are dozens of subcategories.

What’s happening at the Corporate level: At the time of the Waste Expo 2023, over 75% of companies listed on the S&P 500 had already implemented sustainable practices.However, adopting sustainability goes beyond good intentions.It requires action and expertise.If companies lack in-house knowledge to implement sustainability practices into their operations, they should consider hiring external specialists or appointing experts to their boards.

Challenges at a the household level: Many of us have separate bins for waste and recycling at home. However; green bin recycling is often improperly sorted at the household level. Effective source separation is essential to reducing landfill usage. For instance, labels like “Best if used by” refer to food quality rather than safety, leading to unnecessary food waste. The FDA website offers useful resources, including refrigerator and freezer storage guidelines to help reduce food waste.

We do we put our trash? Experts warn that if we continue at our current rate, we could run out of landfill space by 2036. This underscores the urgency of reducing, reusing, and recycling. The world’s largest landfill, located just 25 miles north of Las Vegas, may soon be inadequate. To address this looming crisis, organizations like USAID provide funding for solid waste infrastructure and training programs for those wanting to make a different in securing a brighter future for all of us.

Is there money to be made? Interestingly, waste recycling has outperformed the S&P 500 for several years. This trend signals a growing recognition of the need for sustainable practices across industries.

What do we do now?

The Waste Expo showcased companies pushing the envelope in all directions to address a problem we contribute to every day. It is not enough to rely on industry efforts alone. Individuals must also take responsibility by evaluating their habits and implementing actionable plans to minimize waste.

In Short

Attending the Waste Expo was initially a journalistic assignment, but it turned out to be an eye-opening experience. I gained insights into waste classifications I had never considered, and learned about categories of waste I didn’t even know existed. If given the chance, I would have gladly paid for the knowledge I received at this event.

In a world increasingly aware of its environmental impact, expos like these are crucial. They not only educate but also inspire us to rethink our approach to waste, moving us closer to a future where refuse truly becomes a resource.