Special Series

The state of Minnesota's new $1 billion bond proposal includes $15 million for cleanup of a landfill that's been polluted by chemicals from state-based corporation 3M. What's roiled lawmakers, however, is 3M's share is only about half of the state's expected contribution. Regardless of where the funding comes from, it's clear that the leaking landfill needs to be sealed. Learn more here.;

NAUE is proud to announce their latest product - Carbofol MegaFriction. Please visit NAUE's website through the link below for more… Learn more here.;

Advanced Drainage Systems (ADS) has turned 40. The Rockbridge Weekly profiles the firm's growth. Learn more here.;

GSE, a Houston-based geosynthetics manufacturer, has issued its fourth quarter earnings statement. Also, the company has announced an investor's conference call for March 13. For more information, visit GSE's Web site at http://www.gseworld.com. Learn more here.;

Increasing costs for raw materials and energy and demand for sustainable climate protective waste treatment and recycling techniques have placed technologies like bio-methanation and material recovery facilities (MRF) in the spotlight. The biennial Waste-to-Resources Symposium (24-26 May 2011, Hanover, Germany) combines a conference, commercial exhibition and site visits to address this growing energy and waste management sector. The 2009 edition included participants from 41 countries. Abstracts for 2011's presentations will be accepted through 4 December 2010. The event will feature simultaneous translation (English-French-Spanish-German) and is being held under the patronage of Dr. Norbert Roettgen, Germany's Minister of the Environment. Learn more here.;

Apple’s latest addition to the "i" family, the iPad, is not just a fancy piece of hardware -- it was built to transform small business into efficient mobile operations. Read more. Learn more here.;

Because most people don't follow up after an interview, sending an e-mail or phoning the hiring manager can help you stand out, Harry Urschel writes. "You have far more to lose by not doing it, than the infinitesimal risk of losing an opportunity by doing it," he writes. Learn more here.;

7th International Conference on Geosynthetics: Graduate Student Paper Competion: Gigsa calls on all students to participate in the IGS Student Awards Program for submitting a paper on geotextiles, geomembranes or any related products.

The 9th Recirculating Aquaculture Conference is scheduled for 24-26 August 2012 in Roanoke, Virginia. Learn more here.;

The Geosynthetics Committee of the Geo-Institute is in dire need for reviewers for the papers submitted to Geofrontiers ’05. If you are able to help, please email Mo Gabr gabr@eos.ncsu.edu. Reviews must be back by the 3rd week of August. All reviews will be handled electronically. Thanks in advance.

Among West York, Pennsylvania's recent budget discussions and public works projects is a proposal to install geotextiles beneath pavement in city alleys. Geotextiles help extend pavement life and reduce maintenance needs. Learn more here.;

After a decade of debate, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has selected the final remedy for the lead contamination issue in the basement of Island Trees High School. A concrete cap will be installed and covered with a geotextile cap to smother dust. Annual inspections will be performed to verify the integrity of the cap, which will secure 5,200-square-feet of contaminated space. Learn more here.;

With the help of an obsessed contractor and a flexible liner (Most likely EPDM), homeowners in Turkey have established what they believe is the country's first "natural swimming pool." The system does not use chlorine. Instead, plants are used to filter the algae. Learn more here.;

The Hindu reports multiple Indian government ministries will contribute to a panel aimed at studying technical textiles, such as geosynthetics. The panel will include members of defence, environment and forests, shipping road transport and highways, and more. The results may produce new regulations in the country for both practice and promotion of geosynthetics in India. Learn more here.;

The Geoengineer Web site has a page at which various Top 10 paper lists are posted. For example, what are the top ten paper on properties of solid waste? geosynthetica.net is interested to know your nominations for papers on geosynthetics. We'll submit nominations to Geoengineer.org. E-mail us your suggestions. Learn more here.;

Have you made your hotel reservation for Geosynthetics 2007? The Hilton Washington has set up an information page for conference attendees. A special room rate will be available through December 15. Learn more here.;

Kelvin Legge, an engineer with the South African Department of Water Affairs and Forestry, has been recognized in the South African press for his recent International Geosynthetics Society (IGS) Achievement Award. The award was presented during the 8th International Conference on Geosynthetics in Yokohama, Japan. Read about Legge in the Mail & Guardian. Learn more here.;

The business section of the Sunday Times (London) recently included a short article on Michael Flynn of the Waterford, Ireland-based company FLI Environmental. The article notes the growth of his business in geosynthetics and environmental services. Learn more here.;

Founded in 1994, Steel Dragon Enterprise Co, Ltd. brings together over 50 years of combined experience in the geosynthetic industry. A Sino-American operated business venture, with American based management, our corporate offices are located in Taipei, Taiwan. Learn more here.;

Two thoughts on training and recognition of skills: Encourage your firm’s top people to work towards getting their own skills and experience formally “certified” or formalised – if they are not already – as a sign for your entire staff that yours is a “training friendly” culture, and sign up one or more trainees/apprentices. I know of no better way to solve the skills shortage that exists almost everywhere. Let’s all invest in our industry’s future! - Max Brady

"Sardinia 2007, the 11th International Waste Management and Landfill Symposium, has devoted a special attention to the developing countries (DC) waste management issues. In spite of my personal efforts (we apply very low fee or we wave it for DC delegates) I feel we should do more supporting participation of the DC Authors. Can your organization grant Symposium participation fellowships (lodging, or lodging and travel) for DC Authors? These fellowships could be managed directly by you and from our side we can give our contribution providing a special entrance fee for the fellowship winners. I think that if we will be successful it would be really a great support of enhancing international cooperation and development in waste management." Please contact the symposium to contribute at the "continued" link below. Learn more here.;

WE WOULD LIKE TO APOLOGIZE IN ADVANCE AND ASK FOR YOUR PATIENCE REGARDING THE DELAYS THAT HURRICANE FRANCES MAY CAUSE GEOSYNTHETICA.NET. WE ARE IN PREPARATION FOR THE STORM AND MAY HAVE TO SHUTDOWN OPERATIONS LATER IN THE WEEK. Learn more here.;

The Geosynthetic Institute's first white paper of 2019 focuses on one of the biggest issues in contemporary conversation: sustainability. GSI White Paper 41 is concerned with "Relative Sustainability (i.e.,...

The Geosynthetic Institute had a particularly busy 2018 with White Papers, issuing five of them. All of them are worth reading. One that particularly caught our eye, however, was...

In the February 2013 issue of Plastics Technology, senior editor Lilli Manolis Sherman reports that commodity resin prices have shot up for a number of reasons: unplanned disruptions in polymer feedstock production in December, planned cracker outages slated for the first four months of this year, etc. Monomer and resin prices have risen, especially with regards to polypropylene. Polyethylene and PVC have also been affected. Some geosynthetics manufacturers have acknowledged these price shocks too in having to increase prices on products as well. Learn more here.;