About The A&WMA Ontario Section

Air & Waste Management Association is a non-profit technical, scientific and educational organization with more than 5,000 members in more than 65 countries. Founded in 1907, the Association provides a forum where all viewpoints of an environmental issue (technical, scientific, economic, social, political and risk assessment) receive consideration.

This worldwide network represents many disciplines: physical and social sciences, health and medicine, engineering and law. The association attracts decision-makers from agencies, industry, business, and the academic and research committees.

To serve its members, A&WMA provides opportunities for technological exchange, professional development, public education and networking. Through these efforts the Association will realize its vision of becoming the premier international environmental organization promoting global environmental responsibility.

The Association has a long history of dedication to critical environmental decision making. In 1891, citizens in Chicago formed the Society for the Prevention of Smoke. Their aim was to clean the city before the Colombian exposition was held there in 1893. As part of this initiative, engineers and firemen obtained instruction in the proper method of burning coal. Citizens in other cities followed Chicago's lead to clean their skies. In Detroit, 1906, smoke inspectors from 13 cities in Canada and the United States met with city officials. During the three-day meeting, the 55 attendees decided that an association should be formed to address the issue of smoke abatement. In 1907, the first meeting of the International Association for the Prevention of Smoke was held in Milwaukee, thus establishing the Association.

Over the years, the name has been changed to more adequately reflect the members' interests. In 1915, we became the Smoke Prevention Association of America and in 1950, the Air Pollution Control Association. The most recent change occurred in 1988 when the members adopted the name Air & Waste Management Association.

The members have structured their Association in a unique fashion. It is governed by a 15-member Board of Directors elected by the members. Five members of the Board are employed by industry, five by government agencies and five by academic, research or consulting organizations. This ensures that no one segment dominates the Association's governance.

Three Councils, Technical, Sections and Education, assist the Board of Directors in the guidance of the Association. These Councils develop programs to ensure that members' needs are met. Two intercouncil initiatives were established by the Board at the 1994 Annual Meeting: the Global Intercouncil Initiative and the Business Risk Management Intercouncil Initiative.

Association members plan, develop and present programs that are designed to encourage the exchange of information, enhance skills and knowledge and increase the efficiency and effectiveness of environmental professionals. The diversity of the membership ensures that these programs are multi-industry, multi-disciplinary and multi-media in nature.

Association's specialty conferences, symposia, workshops and other activities are designed to address contemporary environmental issues identified as themes by the Board of Directors. These themes are also used by the Sections and Chapters to help focus their programs.

Each year the Association conducts the largest environmental conference in North America - the A&WMA Annual Meeting and Exhibition. This conference features a five-day technical program, a three-day exhibition and many business and ancillary meetings that drive the Association. Thousands of environmental management professionals attend this annual event.

The Association also produces a variety of publications. These include a peer-reviewed journal, a news magazine, periodicals, books, preprints of technical papers, training manuals and a monthly membership newsletter.

The Association recognizes individuals and organizations who promote global environmental responsibility. Annually, it bestows formal honors and awards and offers distinctive classes of membership.

The Association's main support and administrative offices are located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, see the A&WMA INTERNATIONAL section in this guide.

The Vision of the A&WMA is to be the premier international environmental organization promoting global environmental responsibility.

The Mission of the A&WMA is to assist in the professional development and critical environmental decision making of our members to benefit society.

The Purpose of the A&WMA is to enhance environmental knowledge and provide quality information on which to base environmental decisions.