What is the Solid Waste Disposal Authority? In 1985 the City of Huntsville created a public, non-profit corporation to finance and operate the city and county's solid waste management system. That corporation is The Solid Waste Disposal Authority. The integrated waste management system was modeled after the current recommendations of the United States Environmental Protection Agency. This system is made up of four components: Waste Reduction Recycling Waste-To-Energy Landfill If you are looking for information about garbage collection, please visit out links page for information regarding collection in your area. We dispose of waste brought to our facilities, but do not collect it. Community Benefits Reduced Cost The Authority has been able to offer environmentally advanced programs while maintaining reasonable waste disposal costs for residents of Huntsville and Madison County by promoting full utilization of income producing facilities. Environmental Issues Addressed The Solid Waste Disposal Authority continually adds and updates its programs and involvement with environmental issues and concerns. The following is a list of programs the Authority has implemented: One of the first in the southeast to successfully use recovered methane gas in the landfill and construct a landfill cell with a composite liner and leachate control system. Developed Recycling Programs for Huntsville City residents and Madison County residents that included recycling magazines, newspapers, aluminum and steel cans, motor oils, plastics, household batteries, aerosol cans, old phonebooks and appliances. Developed the Household Hazardous Waste Program to help reduce the toxicity of the community's waste stream. Constantly educates the community, both residents and businesses, on proper waste disposal methods. The Authority continually evaluates the air pollution control equipment at the waste-to-energy facility to ensure compliance with all applicable environmental standards. As new technology becomes available, the Authority assesses updates at the facility based on environmentally sound, cost effective principles. Assists the City and County with the world's largest litter clean-up program "The Glad Bag-A-Thon" sponsored by Keep America Beautiful. Funding for the Madison County Health Department Waste Enforcement programs. The Authority hosts the monthly meetings of Operation Green Team. Developed a program to recover both ferrous and nonferrous metals from ash produced by the waste-to-energy facility. Participating and assisting the City and County schools educational programs. Tours at the landfill and waste-to-energy facilities are very important to the Authority. Installed a carbon injection system and an ammonia injection system at a capital cost of $3,000,000 and an operating cost of $250,000 yearly in order to reduce mercury and nitrogen oxide emissions in accordance with the Clean Air Act. Board of Directors The Huntsville City Council appoints a five-member Board of Directors to govern The Solid Waste Disposal Authority. The public is welcome to attend these board meetings on the second Tuesday of each month at 3:30 p.m. in the Conference Room of the Waste-to-Energy Facility (located at 5251 Triana Blvd.). The Board of Directors of The Solid Waste Disposal Authority: James Ledbetter, Chairman Freeman Holifield, Vice Chairman Ed Ottman, Secretary/Treasurer Mary Spann and Sidney White, Members Besides the five-member Board of Directors, The Solid Waste Disposal Authority employs 16 full time employees. For More Information The Administrative Office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Feel free to contact the office at 256-880-6054 or E-mail us at SWDAhsv@swdahsv.org.     SWDA Staff SWDA Office 256-880-6054 John "Doc" Holladay Executive Director Michelle Williams Executive Secretary Rusty Ferguson Landfill Manager Mike Johnson Assistant Financial Manager Vicki McNeal Accounting Technician Pati Dobbs Special Projects Coordinator Dixie Bray Environmental Awareness Officer Other Links The City of Huntsville Garbage collection is managed by the City Public Works department. For a holiday collection schedule go to the Public Works section of the City website. Madison County Information about garbage collection is located on County Departments page of the County's website. Scroll down to the bottom of the page where the Waste Control Dept. is described. City of Madison The City of Madison has information about solid waste guidelines and some forms under the city government section. Covanta Energy Corporation Covanta operates the Waste-To-Energy facility. Operation Green Team We work closely with Operation Green Team, a city-funded organization governed by a volunteer board, to promote the benefits of litter reduction and recycling. Keep America Beautiful A national organization that sponsors several clean-up events throughout the year. Top of the Page | Home