About Us

The SWANA Kansas Sunflower Chapter is the statewide affiliate of the Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA), dedicated to promoting excellence and innovation in solid waste management across Kansas. Our mission is to advance environmentally sound and economically responsible strategies in waste management — serving as a bridge between public agencies, private operators, consultants, academics, and regulators.

What We Do

• Educational Events & Conferences — We host the annual Kansas Solid Waste Management Conference, drawing solid waste professionals statewide and from neighboring regions. The conference combines technical presentations, facility tours, vendor exhibits, and networking opportunities.
• Roundtable Discussions & Site Tours — We coordinate meetings and site visits (e.g. to landfills or recycling facilities) to discuss challenges, innovations, and nurture peer-to-peer learning.
• Scholarships & Youth Outreach — Through our chapter scholarship program, we offer financial support to high school seniors (or GED recipients) who are children or grandchildren of chapter members and intend to pursue higher education.
• Professional Networking & Member Services — We support committees, host training, share industry news, and provide forums for members to connect, exchange knowledge, and engage with vendors and regulators.

Membership & Governance

SWANA members come from municipal agencies, private waste companies, consulting firms, research institutions, and regulatory bodies. Our chapter is led by a board of directors working to ensure alignment with SWANA’s broader goals.