table of CONTENTS Goal No. Two... 8 Preserve Local Heritage by Conserving Open Space and Protecting Native Habitat & Natural Resources

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2 table of CONTENTS Letter from James D. Warner, CEO... 1 Introduction... 2 Goal No. One... 4 Protect the Environment by Managing Solid Waste and Recyclables in an Environmentally Safe, Reliable, and Efficient Manner Goal No. Two... 8 Preserve Local Heritage by Conserving Open Space and Protecting Native Habitat & Natural Resources Goal No. Three Increase Renewable Energy Production & Decrease Energy Consumption Goal No. Four Explore and Employ Sustainable Policies & Technologies Goal No. Five Redefine Boundaries through Regionalization & Community Partnership LCSWMA: Past, Present, Future A Word from LCSWMA s CEO, James D. Warner Nothing about LCSWMA is static. Its systems, employees, and facilities are always expanding, growing, and changing; and there is no denying that the picture of LCSWMA has changed greatly over the years. Moreover, although LCSWMA s core mission has not wavered, the Authority s approach to fulfilling its mission has certainly expanded along the way. During this journey, the community may have, at times, wondered why LCSWMA was working to develop a large renewable energy portfolio or playing a lead role in local recreation and heritage projects. To some, such undertakings may have appeared to be entirely unrelated to LCSWMA s mission. However, when examined through a lens of sustainability, the reason for LCSWMA s involvement in such projects becomes remarkably clear. There is no separation between LCSWMA and the good of the community; LCSWMA is committed to serving the community with excellence and therefore, investing our resources in projects that enhance Lancaster County s livability makes practical sense. LCSWMA s focus for community sustainability is outlined in the pages that follow, and our initiatives have been broadly characterized under five community-oriented goals. These goals will set the stage for what will be an ongoing effort by LCSWMA to raise awareness about our sustainable initiatives. By doing so, we hope to inspire other businesses and organizations to share their stories of success and aspirations for the future. The work to grow the social, economic, and environmental climate of Lancaster County cannot be accomplished by one or two entities alone. It takes the work of each and every individual and organization comprising our community to carry out this important task. Collaboratively, as we share our stories and draw inspiration from one another, we can continue to make Lancaster County a model for healthy, prosperous, and sustainable living. CEO Cover Note: While bamboo is a non-native species in Lancaster County, it can be responsibly harvested to create a wide array of sustainable products, including flooring, window treatments, furniture, and more. 1

3 The Sustainability Rhizome As you read the pages that follow and work to understand LCSWMA s vision of community sustainability, you will notice a centralized theme running along the pages and connecting each of the goals. The imagery that prevails is a rhizome, and it is the theme of LCSWMA s new and ongoing sustainability initiatives. What is a rhizome? A rhizome is a type of plant stem that grows horizontally, as well as vertically, sending out roots and shoots in all directions from its nodes. Due to this complex and expansive growth pattern, rhizomes often form large, interwoven plant communities that are able to withstand considerable environmental fluctuations. Moreover, if a rhizome is separated into pieces, each piece can give rise to a new plant. The correlation between a rhizome and LCSWMA s community sustainability initiatives, therefore, is multi-faceted. ROOTED IN THE COMMUNITY First and foremost, LCSWMA is rooted in the community. LCSWMA was founded to manage the waste generated in Lancaster County and we have served the county with excellence for over 50 years. In addition to managing waste, the Authority has also extended its deep roots to a variety of community projects, such as the development of the Northwest Lancaster County River Trail and the preservation and restoration of the Rieber House (see pg. 21). NODES OF OPPORTUNITY As we continue this important work and plan for future operations, we look forward to discovering new and innovative opportunities every step of the way. Since sustainability planning uses present circumstances as a foundation, LCSWMA approaches our sustainability goals as ever-evolving, fluid targets. Every bump in the road (node) presents the possibility for new growth or an opportunity to form new roots within the community. A RHIZOME OF CONNECTIVITY Sustainability is rhizomatous. Understanding how LCSWMA affects and is affected by the community is much like tracing a rhizome root it is an exciting exploration of connectivity. Working to understand the connections and intertwining properties that inextricably link the social, environmental, and economic facets of LCSWMA to those of Lancaster County serves as the foundation for our sustainability planning and initiatives. Ultimately, LCSWMA is working to create an organization that can withstand considerable environmental, social, and economic fluctuations, since we know this will help to ensure the long-term success and well-being of the Authority, as well as the larger community and environmental systems with which it is inseparably linked

4 Goal No. 1 PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENT by Managing Solid Waste and Recyclables in an Environmentally Safe, Reliable, and Efficient Manner LCSWMA does more than simply manage waste. Through the operation of an Integrated System, the Authority transforms waste from the community into a valuable resource by extracting value at every step in the process. The extracted value is then returned to the community in the form of energy, conserved resources, and more! An Integrated Approach The Integrated System is the name of LCSWMA s innovative approach to waste management, which utilizes a multi-faceted approach to maximize the lifecycle and/or end-of-life benefits of discarded materials. LCSWMA, a municipal authority, owns three disposal facilities a Transfer Station, a Waste-to-Energy (WTE) Facility, & a Landfill where municipal waste from the county is consolidated, processed, and disposed. As such, LCSWMA s Integrated System begins with a goal of minimizing the volume and toxicity of the municipal waste destined for the disposal facilities, while also maximizing the recovery of valuable materials. To achieve this important goal, LCSWMA s systematic approach begins with the employment of three robust programs: A county-wide Recycling Program, whereby 40% of the county s discarded materials are recovered for recycling. A Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Program, which removes over 1.8 million pounds of hazardous material from the municipal waste stream annually. Waste consolidation via LCSWMA s Transfer Station. The TS provides a centralized drop-off for municipal waste haulers to utilize in order to minimize the daily truck traffic in the county. This facility enables LCSWMA to consolidate municipal waste by 83% before it is transferred to the WTE Facility or landfill. From the remaining 60% of the municipal waste stream, fifty eight percent (58%) is processed at LCSWMA s WTE Facility. This facility reduces the volume of the waste by 90%, while generating enough electricity to power one in six homes in Lancaster County. Finally, the remaining 2% of the municipal waste stream, the portion of the county s waste which cannot be recycled or used as fuel to create energy at the WTE Facility, is disposed of in the Frey Farm Landfill. Yet, even at the landfill, LCSWMA is able to extract value from municipal waste via its landfill gas-to-energy system (see page 13 for a more detailed explanation of this process). LCSWMA s Frey Farm Landfill is the only landfill in Pennsylvania that has not received a Notice of Violation from the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) since the DEP s efacts database came online in

5 ISO Certified Organization for Environmental Management Systems LCSWMA s Integrated System is managed in accordance with the standards set forth by ISO through the employment of an Environmental Management System (EMS). Through this system, the Authority has committed to the following: Dedicating the resources necessary to meet or exceed environmentally related permit requirements; Continuing to set and evaluate environmental performance goals; Continually improving environmental performance and pollution prevention. What about the remnants from the combustion process at the Waste-to-Energy Facility? Reducing the volume of Lancaster County s waste by 90%, while generating enough energy to power 30,000 homes each year, might appear as a maximization of the benefits that can be derived from the waste processed at the WTE Facility. What more could LCSWMA possibly do to recover value and promote resource conservation? The answer lies in the by-product of the waste after it s been burned. What s left? A whole lot of ash and some non-combustible materials (i.e. metals). Ferrous Metal LCSWMA employs ferrous and non-ferrous metal recovery systems to remove valuable metallic materials from the residual ash. Through the operation of these systems, LCSWMA recovers a substantial amount of metals that cannot be captured in traditional curbside recycling programs. In fact, the metals recovered through this process comprise 3.5% of the total tons recycled in Lancaster County. Once recovered, these metals are sent to recycling facilities so they can be made into new products. And the ash? LCSWMA worked with PA DEP to permit the ash for use as daily cover at its landfill. Thanks to this initiative, the Authority saves an average of 155,000 cubic yards of earthen material (dirt) annually, which would have otherwise been used to cover the trash and unnecessarily consume landfill space! ECONOMIC Through the operation of an Integrated System, LCSWMA has built a self-sustaining, user-fee based business model that can support the growing capacity in Lancaster County without leveraging any tax dollars. SOCIAL Value extracted from the waste is returned to the community in the form of energy, conserved resources, and more. ENVIRONMENTAL When managed as a resource, waste can generate renewable energy and help conserve natural resources. Conveyance of Ash and Metals from WTE Facility to Ferrous and Non-Ferrous Recovery Building 6 7

6 Goal No. 2 As an organization founded to protect the environment by managing waste in an environmentally safe and efficient manner, LCSWMA recognizes that we can, and should, play a significant role in advancing the land use goals of Lancaster County. For this reason, the Authority works tirelessly to maximize the life of its landfill and ensure that additional land is not wasted on waste disposal. PRESERVE LOCAL HERITAGE By Conserving Open Space and Protecting Native Habitat & Natural Resources Lancaster County has a rich agricultural history, which has long served as the backbone of the local economy. As such, local governmental and planning officials have gone to great lengths to implement plans to protect and promote this unique heritage. Insofar as farming is a land-intensive practice, one of the most critical aspects of this work has been to promote long-term land conservation. Minimizing Footprint, Maximizing Land Conservation With the operation of an Integrated System, LCSWMA has been remarkably successful at extending the life of its current landfill. Its Frey Farm Landfill, which began receiving waste in 1989, will not be full until 2019; that s a 30 year life cycle! Alone, this achievement exemplifies sustainable landfill management and serves as evidence of LCSWMA s commitment to preserving precious county land. However, in LCSWMA s endless pursuit to maximize value extraction and resource conservation, the Authority is looking to add an additional 15 years of capacity using the same site. How? By working to permit a vertical expansion! Building up rather than out (i.e. footprint minimization) is a fundamental green building principle that reduces environmental impacts and preserves land. Through Phase I of the proposed vertical expansion, LCSWMA can add the equivalent capacity of 52 acres of land! That s 52 acres of precious Lancaster County land that can be preserved for agriculture or open space rather than consumed as storage for Lancaster County waste. 9 9

7 Chestnut Grove Natural Area Legend Partnering with Nature Managing Lancaster County s waste is a task that, naturally, requires some land use. LCSWMA places a high value on the land used to operate its Integrated System and transform the county s waste into a valuable community resource. Moreover, the Authority understands that the land, which houses its disposal assets, is also home to a variety of plants, insects, and animals! Thus, LCSWMA works to actively manage its landholdings to promote native habitat conservation, biodiversity promulgation, and education. The wildlife photos in this report were captured at LCSWMA s landfill by the on-site WHC Team Leader, Jeff Musser. Wildlife Habitat Council As a partner with the Wildlife Habitat Council (WHC), LCSWMA implements a detailed Wildlife Management Plan (WMP) to guide land management practices at its disposal facilities. While many of the WMP strategies are focused on the inactive Creswell Landfill site, the plan s mission, which is to optimize Authority assets by creating biologically diverse habitats that encourage the proliferation of native wildlife, is carried through to all LCSWMA facilities. In 2010, the Wildlife Habitat Council recognized LCSWMA s work by honoring the landfill as a certified Wildlife at Work site. ECONOMIC Investing in green infrastructure creates more livable communities, which, in turn, attract and sustain businesses, residents, and tourists. SOCIAL Preserving open space for public enjoyment improves the quality of life for county residents. Building Community Open Space The Authority s efforts to promote land stewardship extend beyond the physical boundaries of its disposal assets. In addition to managing its disposal assets to promote wildlife and minimize land consumption, the Authority also works to actively create open space in Lancaster County. The Chestnut Grove Natural Area project, for example, is one of LCSWMA s current open space projects which seeks to restore 170-acres of retired farmland adjacent to the Authority s landfill into a biologically diverse, nature preserve that will provide valuable local and regional wildlife habitats, as well as passive recreation and educational experiences for the public. Once restored, the site will feature 12 unique habitats, as well as a series of recreational trails. ENVIRONMENTAL Conserving and restoring open space creates valuable wildlife habitats, reduces stormwater runoff, & improves water quality. 11

8 Goal No. 3 INCREASE RENEWABLE ENERGY Production and Decrease Energy Consumption Energy issues will continue to take top priority for the United States in the coming years. From supply and demand issues, to concerns regarding the environmental impacts of conventional power generation (i.e. coal-fired plants, etc.), there is no doubt that Americans will continue to demand cleaner, more reliable technologies to power America s future. Clean, renewable forms of energy generation will play an increasing role in supplementing conventional technologies in the coming years, and LCSWMA is helping to position Lancaster County as a frontrunner in this paradigm shift. For over 20 years, LCSWMA has been working to build clean, renewable energy infrastructure in Lancaster County. And today, LCSWMA has an impressive renewable energy portfolio that helps to power thousands of homes and businesses in Lancaster County each year. Waste-to-Energy (WTE) Facility The primary purpose of LCSWMA s WTE Facility is embedded in environmental sustainability. Serving a county-wide population of approximately 520,000 residents, the WTE Facility has been an integral part of LCSWMA s goal to minimize the consumption of valuable landfill space. Through combustion, the WTE Facility reduces the volume of incoming waste by 90%, while using the by-product of the combustion, heat, as a means to create renewable energy. Processing an average of 370,000 tons of waste each year, the WTE Facility conserves over 500,000 cubic yards of landfill space annually, while generating enough renewable energy to power up to 30,000 homes in Lancaster County. Turkey Point Renewable Energy Park In conjunction with PPL Renewable Energy (PPLRE), LCSWMA developed a renewable energy park at its landfill in Conestoga, PA. The Turkey Point Renewable Energy Park features methane-to-energy, wind energy, and a small solar demonstration at the Rieber House Welcome Center. Landfill Gas-to-Energy In 2005, LCSWMA, in cooperation with PPLRE, voluntarily installed a 3.2 MW landfill gas-to-energy (LFGTE) system. Methane, a natural byproduct of waste decomposition, is a potent greenhouse gas. As such, landfills in Pennsylvania that meet or exceed the regulatory threshold for emissions are required by law to install gas control and collection systems to manage emissions. Although LCSWMA s landfill is below the regulatory threshold, the Authority voluntarily installed the LFGTE system with PPLRE as a result of our unwavering commitment to environmental excellence. In addition to destroying methane gas and generating renewable energy, this project also provides steam to neighboring Turkey Hill Dairy. The steam, which is generated from the LFG engine exhaust heat, eliminates the use of more than 140,000 gallons of fuel oil annually at the dairy! Carbon Credits Due to LCSWMA s proactive initiatives with landfill gas management,the Authority generates approximately 70,000 carbon credits each year, which are sold on the voluntary carbon market

9 Energy Conservation In addition to various renewable energy initiatives, LCSWMA also has an operational sustainability plan that promotes widespread energy conservation measures and efficiency improvements at each of its facilities. Solar Energy at the Transfer Station Complex The Authority completed a 550kW solar energy project at its Transfer Station Complex on Harrisburg Pike. Solar photovoltaic panels were installed atop four buildings and began powering the Transfer Station Complex in April This project produces enough electricity to power 75% of the annual energy demand at the Transfer Station Complex. Wind Energy LCSWMA s ability to look beyond the physical limits that define its landfill and envision the facility as an integral part of the larger community that encircles it, resulted in a project that will provide economic and environmental benefits to three local businesses for years to come. LCSWMA, in cooperation with PPLRE and Turkey Hill Dairy, installed south-central Pennsylvania s first commercial-scale wind project in October, Located along the perimeter of the Authority s Frey Farm Landfill, two 1.6 MW turbines provide neighboring Turkey Hill Dairy with 25% of its annual electricity needs. Approximately 7.76 million kwh of electricity are produced on an annual basis by this project and sold directly to Turkey Hill Dairy through a power purchase agreement with PPL. This project exemplifies the advantages of micro-siting renewable energy technologies next to large manufacturing end-users. ECONOMIC Investing in renewable energy projects stimulates the Pennsylvania alternative energy market and creates local jobs. SOCIAL Developing renewable energy projects creates a more stable energy future for Lancaster County and reduces congestion on the local grid. ENVIRONMENTAL Employing renewable and alternative energy projects conserves natural resources by lessening the consumption of fossil fuels and reducing greenhouse gas emissions and other pollutants associated with conventional energy generation technologies. 15

10 Goal No. 4 On the Road In the previous pages, we ve highlighted how our Integrated System maximizes the lifecycle benefits of discarded materials, while promoting resource conservation, recycling, renewable energy generation, open space preservation, and more. However, there is another major component of LCSWMA s daily operations which must also be managed sustainably our transfer fleet. LCSWMA s transfer fleet is comprised of the vehicles which move the waste (or resource, as we see it) between our three disposal facilities. In total, there are 14 tractor trailer trucks which transport consolidated waste from the Transfer Station to the WTE Facility or landfill. EXPLORE & EMPLOY Sustainable Policies & Technologies So how is LCSWMA working to ensure that its fleet assets positively contribute to the sustainability of the organization and Lancaster County as a whole? Biofuel Since 2007, LCSWMA has been utilizing a B-5 biofuel blend in its transfer fleet and on-site equipment. By specifying a 5% biofuel blend for the Authority s transfer fleet and diesel equipment, LCSWMA helps to reduce emissions from its on- and off-road vehicles and equipment. Furthermore, this initiative helps to support the alternative fuels industry and stimulate the local biofuels market. What s Next? A Potential Future with Compressed Natural Gas In an effort to lessen the impacts of fluctuating diesel prices and build a cleaner, more sustainable future, LCSWMA has been evaluating the feasibility of converting its transfer fleet to Compressed Natural Gas (CNG). LCSWMA is positioning itself to be an early adopter of heavy-duty CNG fleet technology due to the significant environmental, economic, and social benefits that will accompany it. ECONOMIC Natural gas is a stable & abundant domestic fuel and fleet conversions help to support the growing Pennsylvaniabased natural gas industry and stimulate job creation. SOCIAL Employing quieter, cleaner engines technologies reduces local noise and air pollution. ENVIRONMENTAL Decreasing the use of petroleum-based fossil fuels lessens harmful emissions. 17 Clover Rhizome

11 A Carbon Negative Model of Waste Management Operating sustainably means understanding how one s business or organization fits into social, economic, and natural systems that surround it. For LCSWMA, this means examining how we can utilize our mission to maximize environmental and community benefits. One of the most significant ways that LCSWMA s commitment to exploring and employing sustainable policies and technologies produces benefits for the community and the environment is through the management of greenhouse gases. The term carbon footprint is used to express the net measured carbon emissions produced by a business or organization throughout the course of a year, and it has become a useful measuring tool to assess the impact that an organization s operations and activities have on the environment. An organization is said to be carbon neutral when the net amount of carbon compounds emitted into the atmosphere is balanced (i.e. reduced to zero) by actions to reduce or offset those emissions. LCSWMA is proud to share that its Integrated System exceeds carbon neutrality. What does that mean? Well, it means that LCSWMA s Integrated System reduces or offsets more carbon emissions than it produces, making it a carbon negative model for waste management in Lancaster County! The CO 2 emissions generated from all aspects of the Authority s operations from turning on the lights, to the transportation and disposal of waste at the WTE & landfill are more than offset by the innovative technologies and management strategies employed by LCSWMA. LCSWMA s Carbon Footprint is calculated using HDR Engineering s Carbon Assessment Planning Tool TM (CAPT). In 2011, LCSWMA s carbon footprint was -82,500 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalents (MTCO2e). The complete report can be found at 18

12 Goal No. 5 Protecting and enhancing the welfare of Lancaster County is our business. As an organization founded to serve the community, LCSWMA works to ensure that its business strategies are aligned with the values of Lancaster County and beyond. Engaging in a wide variety of community projects and sponsorships, LCSWMA commits considerable professional and financial resources to support local governments and area non-profits in their efforts to enhance the economic vitality and livability of local communities. Partnering to Enhance the Livability of Local Communities LCSWMA serves as a leading partner in the Northwest Lancaster County River Trail project. Once complete, the NWLCRT will span 14 miles along the Susquehanna River, from Conoy Township to Columbia Borough, linking five municipalities and providing a wide array of economic, social, and environmental benefits. LCSWMA recognizes the benefits of partnering with local non-profit organizations to enhance the livability of local communities. Having developed the Farmingdale Trail network in East Hempfield Township in 2009, LCSWMA partnered with the Lancaster County Conservancy to support their work to transform the site into a rich, dynamic Urban Forest Center (UFC) for the public. Through the successful completion of the UFC, Lancaster County will gain a remarkable environmental educational facility that promises to inspire natural creativity and recreation for local residents, while fostering environmental stewardship in its truest form. Visit lancasterconservancy.org for more information. LCSWMA also teamed up with the Susquehanna Gateway Heritage Area (SGHA) in 2010 through a five-year funding arrangement. As a result, the funding provided to SGHA will support their work to enhance our region s quality of life and economic vitality by promoting the preservation, conservation and interpretation of the Susquehanna River s cultural and natural heritage. REDEFINE BOUNDARIES through Regionalization & Community Partnership Preserving Cultural and Historic Treasures Lancaster County s unique heritage plays a critical role in creating welcoming and memorable experiences for visitors and tourists, as well as year-round satisfaction for county residents. LCSWMA appreciates Lancaster s rich and distinctive history, which is why, in 2010, the Authority completed a project to relocate and restore a 1770 farmhouse in Manor Township, PA, known as the Rieber House. Having recognized the significance of the home s history, both to the region and to the descendants of the Rieber family, LCSWMA undertook this project with a vision to transform this uninhabitable relic into a usable and inviting space for education, community gatherings, and business meetings. 21

13 Exploring Regionalization While LCSWMA makes significant investments to advance the public good in Lancaster County each year, our efforts do not cease at the county line. As long as people, currency, and environmental elements fluidly traverse municipal boundaries, the concept of community cannot be defined by geographic and political boundaries. The work to ensure the long-term sustainability of Lancaster County cannot succeed in a bubble, and to ignore the facets that link Lancaster County to its neighboring communities would be to work against the rhizomatous nature of sustainability. Working to understand how LCSWMA interacts within the larger framework of the surrounding communities, better enables the Authority to identify unique and beneficial partnership opportunities. One of LCSWMA s current, and perhaps most significant, attempts to promote community partnership is the Authority s pursuit of the Harrisburg Materials, Energy, Recycling, & Recovery Facility (HMERRF). This acquisition will keep local waste locally managed and delay the need to expand processing capacity in Lancaster County. By allowing Lancaster s growth in waste to fill noncontracted capacity at the Harrisburg facility over the next 20 years, this merger will displace 100,000 tons of out-of-county waste that is currently accepted to fuel the Harrisburg MERRF. Moreover, LCSWMA s reputation for excellence and commitment to advancing the community good would be expanded to serve the residents of Dauphin County. This idea of growing together locally is a fundamental principle of sustainability. Just as environmental sustainability encourages individuals to think about the larger lifecycle effects of various products, site designs, and actions, community sustainability must encourage organizations to examine corporate assets from a more regional perspective. Such efforts can reap handsome rewards through the identification and execution of highly beneficial and profitable intercompany ventures. ECONOMIC Inviting and accessible communities attract and sustain businesses, tourists, and residents, which, in turn, support the local economy. SOCIAL Preserving cultural and historic relics and increasing recreational opportunities creates more livable communities. ENVIRONMENTAL Increasing green infrastructure preserves wildlife habitats, reduces stormwater runoff, and promotes pedestrianfriendly transportation alternatives. Harrisburg Materials, Energy, Recycling, & Recovery Facility 22 23

14 Past, Present, Future Operating sustainably is something that LCSWMA has always done; it s our natural course of action. LCSWMA s commitment to sustainable practices was set in motion long before the term sustainability became a pervading cultural concept. Yet, over the years, many of our sustainable initiatives have remained behind the scenes, tucked away as an inherent part of the way we do business. Due to the increasing complexity of our operations, there has been a growing need to shed some light on why LCSWMA s operations have become more complex and why this important work must continue. The goals outlined in the previous pages have set the stage for what will be an ongoing effort by LCSWMA to raise awareness of our sustainable initiatives and how such undertakings impact YOUR community. As an organization founded to serve Lancaster County, LCSWMA s greatest pursuit is to protect the environment, and hence, the health, safety, and welfare of citizens, by managing waste and recyclables in an environmentally safe, reliable, and efficient manner. In order to accomplish this mission, it is imperative for LCSWMA to understand how its operations are connected to the larger community. In the Authority s work to continually maximize the beneficial use of its assets, LCSWMA appreciates the delicate relationship between planning for optimized waste storage and preserving local heritage by conserving open space and enhancing native habitat and natural resources. It is this appreciation that drives LCSWMA to explore and employ only the most sustainable policies and technologies. Lastly, since all good work requires energy, LCSWMA is firmly committed to increasing renewable energy production and decreasing energy usage. Sometimes, this pursuit can be satisfied on LCSWMA s grounds alone, and sometimes, it requires collaborative partnerships in order to truly flourish. During such instances, LCSWMA is often challenged to redefine our boundaries by exploring regional and community partnership opportunities. However, this is a challenge that LCSWMA gracefully accepts, as it mimics the true rhizomatous nature of sustainability, which is the only natural course for us! 24 25

15 Sustainability dwells in the connectivity between the environmental, social, and economic facets of the world in which we live. When the spaces between these facets are minimized through exploration, collaboration, and understanding, true prosperity is found Lancaster County Solid Waste Management Authority All Rights Reserved. Printed in the U.S.A. on recycled paper.