Local policies and proposals can dramatically reshape the waste and recycling industry—but they can also be the most difficult to track and influence. In this dynamic session, we’ll explore two real-world grassroots campaigns where NWRA members and allies have stepped up to protect their interests and shape better policy outcomes.

First, we’ll dive into South Carolina’s HB4003, a bill that redefined service boundaries and oversight for Greater Greenville Sanitation. Learn how NWRA’s Carolinas Chapter and local members mobilized against tough odds to engage legislators, educate the public, and ultimately influence the bill’s passage—warts and all. We'll discuss the wins, the compromises, and what could be done better in future local legislative battles.

Next, we’ll turn north to Fairfax County, Virginia, where an ongoing fight is underway against a local franchising proposal that would drastically reduce service options and limit market competition. Hear directly from VWIA members and coalition leaders about how they’ve organized outreach efforts, built unexpected alliances, and worked to reframe the debate in one of the state’s most influential counties.