LaBella Presenting and Joining Panel Discussion at APWA North Carolina Chapter’s 2025 Solid Waste Division Conference
Several members of LaBella’s Waste & Recycling group will be speaking at the 2025 Solid Waste Division Conference, hosted by the American Public Works Association North Carolina Chapter (APWA-NC). The conference will take place July 28–30, 2025, in Beaufort, North Carolina.
This year’s theme, “Safety: Because ‘Oops Is Not a Strategy,” emphasizes the importance of making safety a core part of every decision. Attendees will gain expert insights, practical strategies, and valuable resources to help safety culture in solid waste operations.
On Tuesday, July 29th, at 9:00 a.m., LaBella’s Training Program Manager Jeffrey Fantell, PE, will present “The True Cost of Replacing an Operator,” offering an in-depth look at the full financial impact of onboarding, operational, and training expenses associated with ongoing staff turnover.
Later that day, at 12:45 p.m., Jeffrey will join a panel discussion titled “Placing the Rungs: Building Career Pathways in Solid Waste & An Introduction to the APWA Solid Waste Certificate Course.” The session will explore APWA-NC’s goal to establish a multi-tiered training program that supports workforce education, boosts productivity, develops leadership, and creates achievement levels to differentiate workers along vertical career ladders. The panel will also introduce APWA’s Solid Waste Certificate Course, developed by Jeffrey as the foundational level of this program.
On Wednesday, July 30th, at 9:50 a.m., LaBella’s Operations Consultant Jeffrey Blevins will present “Disposal Site Safety,” focusing on safety practices at landfills, transfer stations, materials recovery facilities, and convenience sites. The session will cover the benefits of safety, regulatory authority, and OSHA metrics, followed by a deeper look at site-specific concerns such as traffic control, fire risks, weather conditions, and the safety of employees and site users. Jeffrey will also discuss the importance of ongoing employee safety training in the waste management industry.