IN A NUTSHELL - ABOUT US AND OUR GOALS
HISTORY OF SWANA
1961
In December of 1961 a small group of local government solid waste program supervisors in the Los Angeles basin led by Mr. Grant H. Flint, General Superintendent of Refuse Collection and Disposal for the City of Los Angeles, formed the Governmental Refuse Collection and Disposal Association (GRCDA) to provide a means for solid waste professionals to share information and promote training. That group became the Founding Chapter of GRCDA in April 1962 and is today known as the SWANA Southern California Founding Chapter.
1978
1981
1992
In 1992 GRCDA changed its name to the Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA) to reflect how the field had broadened from refuse collection and disposal to all aspects of municipal solid waste management.
2020
In 2020 SWANA unveiled its new branding, including an updated set of logos that correlate to the resources SWANA provides its membership.