The need to study the problems of solid waste management in Virginia with particular emphasis on the causes, collection, and disposal was acknowledged during the 1973 General Assembly by the passage of Senate Bill No. 856. This legislation, introduced by Senator Stanley C. Walker, created the Commission to Study and Advise Upon the the Disposal of Solid Wastes. During the 1976 Session of the General Assembly the name of the Commission was changed to the Solid Waste Commission in Senate Bill No. 383.

The Commission was also charged with the study of energy-saving methods of solid waste disposal by Delegate Alan A. Diamonstein in House Joint Resolution No. 217 during the 1977 General Assembly. A section regarding conclusions in this area is included in this report to the 1978 Governor and General Assembly. (See Appendix I.)

The members of the Commission as of July 1, 1978, are: Dr. Robert F. Testin, Richmond; William M. Beck, Jr., Norfolk; Callis H. Atkins, Ruckersville; Delegate Richard M. Bagley Hampton; R. E. Dorer, Norfolk; Ernest C. Edwards, Jr., Chase City; Joseph M. Guiffre, Alexandria; Delegate Joan S. Jones, Lynchburg; Jonathan Murdoch-Kitt, Richmond; Edward T. DiBerto, Virginia Beach; William T. Reed, Manakin-Sabot; Delegate Richard L. Saslaw, Annandale; and Senator Stanley C. Walker, Norfolk. Mr. William M. Amrhein has been retained as counsel to the Commission. Ms. Susan T. Gill of the Division of Legislative Services served as staff to the Commission. The Commission regrets the death of Mr. J. D. Pennewell from Chincoteague in June, 1977.