Awards and Honors, Business, Free News Articles, Water and Wastes

Rogerson Water District wins Best Tasting Water in Idaho Award

BOISE, Idaho -- Rogerson Water District claimed the 2022 title of Idaho's best tasting drinking water during the Idaho Rural Water Association's (IRWA) Spring Conference on March 10, 2022. The other finalists were the City of American Falls, the 2021 taste test winners, and the City of Hagerman.

IRWA will send a representative of Rogerson Water District to Washington D.C. with their utility system's drinking water to compete against the other states' rural water association winners in a nationwide contest, The Great American Water Taste Test, which will take place in February 2023 as part of the Rural Water Rally.

Finalists were selected in a preliminary round. The final round was judged by a panel of experts which included Jami Delmore, Department of Environmental Quality; Johanna Bell, Association of Idaho Cities; and David Baird, Executive Board President for the National Rural Water Association.

Judges rated each water sample based on its clarity, bouquet, and taste. Each of the judges commended the quality of water and noted the difficulty in choosing the best tasting water in the state.

The representative from Rogerson Water District, A.J. Gray was honored to accept this award on behalf of the district.

This is the 2nd time Rogerson Water District will have competed at the national level. In 2014, the district was awarded the Best Tasting Water in Idaho and earned the nationally coveted silver Medal award in 2015 for the Great American Water Taste Test in Washington D.C.

Idaho Rural Water Association is a non-profit association comprised of 388 water and wastewater utility systems in Idaho that primarily serve populations of 10,000 or less. IRWA's mission is to provide technical assistance, training, and a strong representative voice for the benefit of Idaho's drinking water and wastewater utility systems.

Learn more at: https://www.idahoruralwater.com/

Related link: https://www.idahoruralwater.com/

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Business, Environment and Ecology, Free News Articles, Water and Wastes

Waste is a Growing Threat to National Security, says Rubicon CEO Nate Morris

LEXINGTON, Ky. -- A growing threat to America's national security is the improper disposal of electronic waste, said Rubicon Chairman & CEO Nate Morris in remarks this week to Princeton University's Center for Policy Research on Energy and the Environment.

Morris, who is involved with a variety of national security public policy groups, cited a number of examples, examining the root causes of the global waste crisis and how categories such as e-waste and space waste contribute to complications surrounding United States national security.

"I believe e-waste is going to be one of the biggest categories that we have to solve," said Mr. Morris. "The defense community and intelligence community are more aware than ever that their devices hold sensitive clues as to what the future holds in regard to our safety."

Mr. Morris also examined the role of e-waste in human trafficking and organized crime.

"One of the greatest human trafficking challenges we see is associated with waste," Mr. Morris said. "There are networks of groups that traffic individuals around the world to use as waste pickers to remove information from landfills. People who would do us harm are using child labor and trafficking to achieve this means."

Mr. Morris also discussed Rubicon Technologies, the company he founded to reinvent the waste and recycling industry. Rubicon was founded in 2008 with "$10,000 on a credit card" and now has operations in 20 countries.

"We like to believe that technology should stand for something that solves a problem for everyday Americans," Mr. Morris said, referring to Rubicon's mission to "end waste." "We believe that technology can help us spur R&D and level the playing field for small business owners, bringing in minority-owned and women-owned businesses that prior to Rubicon did not have space to grow."

About Nate Morris

Nate Morris is the Chairman & CEO of Rubicon, a technology driven software company focused on waste and recycling. Morris is a ninth-generation Kentuckian born in Lexington and raised by a single mother. He remains close with his grandfather, a long-time union leader at the local Ford automobile plant. Morris attended Kentucky public schools. He was the first Kentuckian to be named to Fortune Magazine's 40 Under 40 list and to be recognized as a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum. He is also the youngest inductee ever to the Kentucky Entrepreneur Hall of Fame. Morris is a Senior Advisor to the Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security, a member of Business Executives for National Security (BENS), a member of Concordia's Leadership Council and the Trilateral Commission.

Learn more about Nate Morris at: https://natemorris.com/

Follow on social at:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/natemorris/

Twitter: @NateMorris

Facebook: @NateMorris

RELATED LINKS:

https://www.rubicon.com/

Related link: https://natemorris.com/

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Business, Free News Articles, Water and Wastes

Nate Morris Speaks to Rotary Club of Louisville About Waste and Entrepreneurship

LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- Rubicon Chairman & CEO Nate Morris spoke before the Rotary Club of Louisville today in a one-on-one interview format. The topic was entrepreneurship and how waste and recycling can change the world.

"Garbage is one of these industries that has been overlooked. We all want to get it to the curb, get it out of the house. We don't want to see it," said Morris, adding, "it is one of the last environmental issues we can talk about."

Morris answered questions about how Rubicon is utilizing its software and technology to transform the waste and recycling industry.

"We started with this great mission to end waste - wasted time, wasted energy, wasted material. And that really informs everything we do in this business," he said.

Rubicon, a technology company focusing on the waste and recycling industry, was founded with a $10,000 line of credit and recently announced a merger with Founder SPAC that will bring the company public on the New York Stock Exchange at an implied pro forma enterprise value of $1.7 billion.

Asked why Rubicon has its world headquarters in Lexington, Kentucky, Morris said, "Rubicon was started here in Kentucky. I believe Kentucky is the future of what's happening in the industry. Because of our quality of life. Because of geographic advantage."

Morris went on to discuss some of Rubicon's major customers, like Walmart and Starbucks.

"I believe we can get to a zero-landfill world," he said. "Walmart, one of our customers, diverted about 90 percent of their garbage from landfills. They extract commodities and they are able to resell those materials. This is a testament to what is possible if we get good information and are asking the right questions. And a customer like Starbucks signs up with Rubicon for a reason. I believe it's because they believe in our mission to end waste."

Speaking to the importance of the Rotary Club, Morris alluded to his own success story.

"My mother was a single mother. Scholarships were very important to me in my life and Rotarians stepped up for me," he said. "Rotarians provide good, supportive services to their communities."

About Nate Morris

Nate Morris is the Chairman & CEO of Rubicon, a widely acclaimed software company focused on waste and recycling. Morris is a ninth-generation Kentuckian born in Lexington and raised by a single mother. He remains close with his grandfather, a long-time union leader at the local Ford automobile plant. Morris attended Kentucky public schools. He was the first Kentuckian to be named to Fortune Magazine's 40 Under 40 list and to be recognized as a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum. He is also the youngest inductee ever to the Kentucky Entrepreneur Hall of Fame. Morris is a Senior Advisor to the Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security, a member of Business Executives for National Security (BENS), a member of Concordia's Leadership Council and the Trilateral Commission.

Learn more about Nate Morris at: https://natemorris.com/

Follow on social at:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/natemorris/

Twitter: @NateMorris

Facebook: @NateMorris

Related link: https://natemorris.com/

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Awards and Honors, Business, Free News Articles, Water and Wastes

IRWA Honors Two City of Buhl Water System Operation Specialist Apprentice Graduates

BOISE, Idaho -- Graduates of Idaho Rural Water Association's Registered Apprenticeship program will be recognized at the Buhl City Council meeting in Buhl, Idaho on February 14, 2022, at 7 p.m. The two city of Buhl residents, Colton Alvey and Garrett Williams are the 2nd and 3rd apprentices in the state to graduate from IRWA's Apprenticeship Program. They will be awarded their Certificates of Completion of Apprenticeship for the occupation of Water System Operation Specialist.

Idaho Rural Water Association was the 5th rural water association in the nation to adopt and register their apprenticeship program with the U.S. Department of Labor, office of Apprenticeship.

Gary Sievers, Apprenticeship coordinator for the Idaho Rural Water Association stated, "The IRWA Apprenticeship Program is now able to reach all corners of the great state of Idaho. We currently have nearly 30 participants. Colton and Garrett were two of our first round of apprentices. Due to Colton and Garrett, we have been able to learn a lot about how to improve the overall program and make it more available to others. Their efforts have paved the way for many others."

Colton and Garrett have worked for the city of Buhl throughout their apprenticeships. AJ Gray, city of Buhl Water System Operation Specialist and IRWA Board Member, has served as their primary mentor. After graduation, Colton Alvey plans to continue working for the city of Buhl as a Water Systems Operation Specialist. He will be testing for his level 2 license in Water Treatment and Distribution and is enjoying gaining new experience in the wastewater field. Garrett Williams is embarking on a new adventure. He has enlisted in the army and is currently in basic training.

More information about the Idaho Rural Water Association's Apprenticeship program can be found on the IRWA website https://www.idahoruralwater.com/

About Idaho Rural Water Association

Idaho Rural Water Association (IRWA) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation providing training and technical assistance to drinking water and wastewater utility systems in Idaho with populations under 10,000. IRWA is currently comprised of over 355 direct member systems in Idaho. These members elect a seven-member Board of Directors that volunteer their time to govern the Association.

Related link: https://www.idahoruralwater.com/

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Awards and Honors, Business, Free News Articles, Insurance, Water and Wastes

David McNeil Receives Broker of the Year Award

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. -- EPIC Insurance Brokers and Consultants, a retail property, casualty insurance brokerage and employee benefits consultant, announced today that Principal and Risk Management Consultant David McNeil has been selected as 2021 Broker of the Year by The California Association of Mutual Water Companies - Joint Powers Risk & Insurance Management Authority (CalMutuals-JPRIMA). CalMutuals JPRIMA is one of the largest water joint powers authorities in the United States.

The CalMutuals JPRIMA Broker of the Year Award is given to an exceptional, high performing risk management professional who has made a meaningful contribution to California public water systems and water-related entities and goes above and beyond in support of this industry. "JPRIMA relies solidly on the skills and support of committed insurance brokers like David," said CalMutuals JPRIMA Chairman and CEO Jim Byerrum. "We view his contributions as an integral part of our success and proudly call him a valued partner and trusted advisor."

McNeil serves on several federal, state, and local task forces for critical infrastructure exposure mitigation, transfer, and avoidance. He is executive producer and an advisory member of the American Association of Water Distribution & Management (AAWD&M) Thought Leadership Lab Video Module Series, a resource that helps CalMutuals-JPRIMA insureds/members stay abreast of risk management best practices and emerging issues. He represents many mutual water companies, public water districts and investor-owned utilities, with many client relationships spanning decades of service.

"It's an honor to be recognized by CalMutuals JPRIMA as Broker of the Year," said McNeil. "Its dedication to providing high-quality, cost-effective risk management and insurance products and services to its members is exceptional, and I look forward to continuing our work together."

CalMutuals JPRIMA was founded in 2016 after enactment of AB656 (Garcia), authorizing mutual water companies to form and participate in a joint powers authority, to provide pooled insurance for mutual water companies and other water systems. Since then, the CalMutuals JPRIMA has grown from 14 members to over 250 members representing a wide range of water suppliers across California, including some of the largest in the state. CalMutuals JPRIMA is governed by a nine-member board of directors from around the state and is currently developing a portfolio of risk management and safety tools for its members.

Learn more about EPIC at: https://epicbrokers.com/

Related link: https://www.epicbrokers.com/

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Alliances and Partnerships, Business, Environment and Ecology, Free News Articles, Water and Wastes

Encore Green Environmental Appoints G-Force as the Re-Furbishing Partner for NOMAD Excel

FT. WORTH, Texas -- Encore Green Environmental names Texas based G-Force to re-furbish the legacy Nomad water treatment technology units to become the improved NOMAD Excel™.

Encore Green is an agriculture company dedicated to applying by-product water to beneficial use for agriculture and carbon sequestration. They recently purchased the Nomad units, which have cleaned over 30 million barrels of produced water, primarily in the Permian Basin. Combined with Encore's patent-pending Conservation By-Design™ method of ensuring safety in the water, Encore is the leader in applying clean water to the drought-stricken lands and holds the only permits in the US to accomplish this.

G-Force is a multi-service provider for the energy industry, including environment, health & safety, as well as facilities, pipeline, and construction.

"We sought out G-Force for their excellence in service and their expertise. We look forward to getting the Nomad back up and running again and seeing millions of barrels of safely cleaned water going out onto our lands," says Jaime Roman, of Encore Green Environmental, who is directing the re-furb project.

Brooks Goodson, COO of G-Force says, "We're excited to be improving upon the Nomad technology to create a process for safe treatment of water, along with economic viability. We have the track record to turn what's great into something even greater."

Newly re-furbished units will soon be available throughout the West, as commitments for those units are being booked for new projects to beneficially apply formerly produced water.

For more information, visit:
https://www.encoregreenenvironmental.com/ and https://gforcetx.com/

Related link: https://www.encoregreenenvironmental.com/

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Business, Free News Articles, Water and Wastes

Negotiations for sanitation workers In Orange County make progress as the threat of strike looms

ORANGE, Calif. -- Over 1,100 sanitation workers in Orange County, CA are bargaining for a new contract for residential, commercial, and government waste removal services. Over the last 40 years, Teamsters Local 396 has bargained contracts that initially fought back against the poverty jobs created during the initial privatization and contracting out of public sanitation services.

But after several strikes, Unionized workers in the Orange County sanitation industry have won Union contracts with wage increases that are now knocking on the door of middle-class life.

Sanitation workers nationwide have seen significant improvements in their standard of living. This is a result of both solid wage increases in Union contracts, but mostly the abundance of available overtime to virtually all workers. This is due to a major shortage of commercial truck drivers.

"A lot of drivers take on a Sanitation job at some point, but most of them don't stick around. Not everyone can handle hard manual labor 12+ hours a day and six days a week," said Javier Bonales, Vice President of Local 396 and a 20-year veteran sanitation worker.

Teamsters Local 396 Secretary-Treasurer and rising labor star, Ron Herrera is pushing for contract settlements that move sanitation workers further along the road to the middle class. Herrera stated, "Sanitation workers are some of the hardest working and most reliable workers around. While some work 60-70 hours a week, they do so with great pride and appreciation since overtime pay has allowed them to buy homes, send their children to college, and more. It is time to reward the workers and their families."

Background: Wall Street is bullish on waste

The waste industry is highly profitable. Two major companies, Waste Management (NYSE: WM) and Republic Services (NYSE: RSG) have seen their stock values skyrocket over the last 5 years including major gains in 2021. Contract bargaining covers sanitation workers in Orange County cities such as Santa Ana, Garden Grove, Anaheim, Huntington Beach, Orange, and Seal Beach. If a contract is not agreed signed soon, Orange County could see a disruption in waste hauling by the end of the year.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Adan Alvarez, (323) 404-5939

Learn more at: https://www.teamsterslocal396.org/

Related link: https://www.teamsterslocal396.org/

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Business, Free News Articles, Water and Wastes

Ohio Clean Cans, LLC has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire the assets of Cincy Bins, LLC

CINCINNATI, Ohio -- Ohio Clean Cans, LLC (www.OhioCleanCans.com), a leading provider of residential garbage can cleaning and pressure washing services, has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire the assets of Cincy Bins, LLC (www.CincyBins.com). Ohio Clean Cans, LLC brought can cleaning to Ohio in early 2017 and has grown organically until this recent acquisition.

Howard Cooper, owner of Ohio Cleans Cans notes, "We are excited to work with the Cincy Bins team and its customers. While we have formerly competed for market share, the combination of our two companies will create more opportunity to better serve our clients, current and future. With increased staff and equipment, it will increase our service area."

Cincy Bins began in 2019 and was owned and operated masterfully by Danny Pond. Danny will be taking on a significant sales and marketing consulting role for Ohio Clean Cans, LLC. "We are excited to see how we can grow this business together. By combining forces with the Ohio Clean Cans team, we now have the capacity to serve more clients and reach new areas in surrounding Cincinnati markets," said Danny.

Howard Cooper of Ohio Clean Cans, LLC is a successful local Cincinnati business entrepreneur with far reaching experience into industries including Restaurant and Bar mgmt., Executive Recruiting, and B2B Merchant Services. Currently along with Ohio Clean Cans, LLC, Howard is involved in several other local companies including Construction, Financial Services, Staffing and Preschool Enrichment programs. "I enjoy identifying opportunities and turning the ideas into businesses," says Howard.

About Ohio Clean Cans, LLC

Ohio Clean Cans is the leading provider of garbage can cleaning services in the Greater Cincinnati area. Garbage can cleaning services in the United States is a rapidly growing segment of home services. Ohio Clean Cans, LLC currently offers one-time, and subscription based can cleaning services, along with full-service pressure washing service to both the residential and commercial markets. They can be found at https://www.ohiocleancans.com/.

Related link: https://www.ohiocleancans.com/

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Business, Environment and Ecology, Free News Articles, Manufacturing, Product Launches, Water and Wastes

Talon International Announces Launch of 100% Sustainable Ghost Net Products

WOODLAND HILLS, Calif. -- After years of meaningful development, Talon International is proud to announce the launch of its innovative Ghost Net Products. The company successfully developed a solution to improving marine habitats by collecting and recycling the surplus of plastic waste that has consumed our beloved oceans.

Plastic waste has finally reached the top of society's agenda. Only nine percent of the plastic produced since the beginning of the material's revolutionary debut has been recycled. Unfortunately, much of the remainder invade our waters-4.9 billion tons consuming the habitats of vital marine wildlife. If the trend continues, our oceans will contain more plastic than fish in less than thirty years.

Talon has taken to collecting abandoned ghost nets, a substantial portion of our planet's plastic waste, and developing them into an assortment of practical fashion items, including zippers, buckles, cord adjusters, buttons, and more. The company's process is simple: search, collect, clean, regenerate, and develop the recycled resin into innovative products that will change the world, one ghost net at a time.

Talon International has been awarded the Global Recycled Standard by the INFL Laboratory and Institute, certifying that its Ghost Net Products and manufacturing practices conform with international voluntary standards. The company currently coordinates and operates the recycling of ghost nets found amongst China's shores. Talon is honored to be the first audited and certified fishing net recycling system in China.

Larry Dyne, CEO of Talon International explains, "We believe that the solution is obvious. We have been practicing it for years now. Reuse! At Talon, we are at the forefront of innovation and sustainability. We coordinate and operate the collection and recycling of ocean waste plastic, including fishing nets, to reduce the environmental harm."

Alongside their corporate efforts to push the boundaries with innovative designs and solutions, Talon International presents retailers everywhere the opportunity to take part in raising sustainability standards. Talon designed the sustainable Ghost Net Product line with their valued partners in mind, in hopes to encourage more retailers like yours to make a difference.

Hand-in-hand, companies everywhere have the power to make a positive, influential impact on the planet. Until zero ghost nets remain in our oceans, let us reduce, reuse, and recycle together.

Website: https://taloninternational.com/

MULTIMEDIA:

*IMAGE LINK for media: https://www.Send2Press.com/300dpi/21-0908s2p-talon-ghost-300dpi.jpg

*Caption: Talon Sustainable Ghost Net Products Now Available.

Related link: https://taloninternational.com/

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Business, Free News Articles, Government, Water and Wastes

Teamsters Local 396 Builds Momentum in Contract Campaign to Raise Wages and Working Conditions for Over 2,700 Sanitation Workers in Orange County

SANTA ANA, Calif. -- On Tuesday, August 17, 2021, the City of Santa Ana stood up for working people by rejecting the city staff recommendation to replace its unionized waste hauler with a non-union hauler with a track record of union busting, air pollution and paying near poverty wages, Teamsters Local 396 said today. Santa Ana residents are currently serviced by Waste Management, a unionized waste hauler that has serviced the city for over 30 years.

"The Santa Ana open bid process for residential waste services was important to protect consumer rates, hard-earned well-paid jobs, and opening up historically closed bidding processes," said Ron Herrera, Secretary - Treasurer of Teamsters Local 396.

Herrera added, "We are ecstatic Athens Services, a non-union company with a history of worker intimidation and exploitation will NOT be spreading its greedy tentacles in Santa Ana."

This is a huge victory in the first skirmish of the Teamsters Local 396 begins contract bargaining for roughly 2,700 haulers in LA and Orange County. With average wages around $28 an hour and full benefits, waste work is one of the few industries that has lifted workers out of poverty.

"Through organizing, strikes, and bargaining we went from over worked, disrespected and under paid immigrant workers to becoming over worked better paid homeowners who have lifted ourselves out of poverty, can pay college tuition for our kids, and take family vacations. Now we want to join the middle class," said Javier Bonales, Teamsters 396, Vice President and longtime OC waste hauler.

Teamsters Local 396 represents UPS and Sanitation workers in Southern California. The Local Union also serves Members in other miscellaneous industries such as logistics, recycling, and feed delivery services.

Learn more at: https://www.teamsterslocal396.org/

Contact: Adan Alvarez, (323) 404-5939

Related link: https://www.teamsterslocal396.org/

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