SWANA is an organization of professionals committed to advancing from solid waste management to resource management through their shared emphasis on education, safety, advocacy and research.
In 1961, several local officials from southern California started a new association which was called the “Governmental Refuse Collection Disposal Association” (GRCDA).
Their objectives were:
- To be the center of scientific and technical excellence in the field of municipal and solid waste management
- To represent the best interests of local governments in decisions made locally and nationally about municipal solid waste management.
Today the Northern California “Gold Rush” chapter has over 400 members and SWANA has more than 11,000 members and 47 chapters.