Solid Waste Authority Mission

The Mission of the Solid Waste Authority is to manage the disposition of materials, which are discarded by the residents and businesses of Palm Beach County, in a manner consistent with its legislative mandate, applicable local, state, and federal ordinances, regulations, and laws.

The Plan through which the Authority accomplishes its Mission, represents a county-wide, integrated and coordinated set of environmentally responsible and economical solid waste management programs.

Programs developed and implemented by the Authority in accordance with its plan, provide for:

• Integrating solid waste transportation, processing, recycling, resource recovery, and disposal technologies.

• Informing the public about solid waste management issues.

• Protecting the environment.

Shared Vision, Values, and Commitments

The SWA is comprised of a team of dedicated individuals whose vision, values, and commitments help us meet the daily challenges in managing the County's solid waste.  Through the professional efforts of the employees and the policy direction of the Board, these shared values and commitments contribute to the successful accomplishment of our mission.

Commitment to a Public Partnership

The SWA values the public's trust.  Decisions made by the SWA are often unpopular.  It is our responsibility to ensure that these decisions are made in consideration of the entire County's welfare.  The public's understanding of why such decisions are made is important to us and we strive to be responsive to the concerns of our residents and customers.

Commitment to Environmental Quality

We are committed to providing Palm Beach County with safe disposal methods now and for future generations.  This is accomplished through state of the art facilities, high standards of operation, and environmental management systems.  We are committed to pollution prevention, seeking continuous improvement in environmental performance and meeting or exceeding all federal, state, and local regulations.

Commitment to Staff Excellence

We are committed to maintaining and developing a highly professional and technically exceptional staff to provide creative and innovative solutions to the diverse waste management issues facing Palm Beach County.  The appropriate balance of experience, varying perspectives, creativity, and willingness to evaluate risks and assume responsibility is the key to our success.

Commitment to the Future

We are committed to provide systems and programs that will serve Palm Beach County into the future.  Inherent in the future is uncertainty and risk.  There are no easy answers or formulas for success.  We are diligent in our efforts to keep abreast of new technologies and endeavor to make decisions that are in the best interest of the public both today and in the future.

Public Acknowledgement

We all appreciate our county for a variety of reasons; the beautiful climate, prosperity, economic growth, and recreational opportunities.  While the reasons may differ, one fact remains the same: We all call this area our home and do not want to see our quality of life degraded.  If we are to be successful in this endeavor we must understand and acknowledge that we are all part of the problem.  We must change our attitudes about thoughtlessly discarding waste, while embracing resource conservation, and minimizing the amount of waste we produce.  Through positive action on the part of the public, as well as the SWA, solid waste will be managed in a manner that benefits all of Palm Beach County's residents.

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