Driver and Operator of the Year

Driver and Operator of the Year

This program honors member drivers who operate their trucks in a safe and responsible manner, have outstanding performance records, and whose contributions have enhanced the overall safety and image of the waste and recycling industry.

Nominate your best!

Driver and Operator of the Year recognizes the best and safest drivers from your company.

• All nominees receive a gift.
• The winner in each category is honored in-person at WasteExpo and receives a commemorative gift and $1,000 cash prize.
• National and mid-sized companies may submit applications for up to 3 percent of their fleet size (for example, if you have 600 routed trucks, 18 driver applications can be submitted for consideration)

Award Categories

Local Company

Independent or private company with a fleet of 500 or fewer vehicles. Collection routes may include residential, commercial or industrial customers.

Regional Company Residential

Regional independent/private company or publicly-traded company with a fleet between 500 and 4,900 vehicles. Collection activities involve pick-up from single family and multifamily dwellings, using household containers. 

Regional Company Commercial 

Regional independent/private company or publicly-traded company with a fleet between 500 and 4,900 vehicles. Collection routes involving pick-up of containerized refuse from business or apartment complexes that is dumped into collection vehicles. 

Regional Company Roll Off 

Regional independent/private company or publicly-traded company with a fleet between 500 and 4,900 vehicles (operators of roll-off vehicles). Collection routes involving movement of refuse in large containers. 

Regional Company Safety Sensitive Driver – NEW

Regional independent/private company or publicly-traded company with a fleet between 500 and 4,999 vehicles. Safety Sensitive Driver includes industrial, hazardous, medical and other waste. Includes all drivers not covered under: (1) Residential; (2) Commercial; (3) Roll Off.

National Company Residential 

Large independent/private company or publicly-traded company with a fleet of more than 5,000 vehicles. Activities involve pick-up from single family and multifamily dwellings, using household containers. 

National Company Commercial 

Large independent/private company or publicly-traded company with a fleet of more than 5,000 vehicles. Collection routes involving pick-up of containerized refuse from business or apartment complexes that is dumped into collection vehicles.

National Company Roll Off

Large independent/private company or publicly-traded company with a fleet of more than 5,000 vehicles (operators of roll-off vehicles). Collection routes involving movement of refuse in large containers.

National Company Safety Sensitive Driver – NEW

Large independent/private company or publicly-traded company with a fleet of more than 5,000 vehicles. Safety Sensitive Driver includes industrial, hazardous, medical and other waste. Includes all drivers not covered under: (1) Residential; (2) Commercial; (3) Roll Off.

Public Sector 

Local, county, city, state or federal government entity or institution.

Application Fee

(price per nomination)

Driver of the Year
Local member companies: $75
Mid-size companies: $225
National member companies: $275
Public sector member: $75

Operator of the Year
Member – $175

How to Enter

1. If this is the first time using the application process, please sign up by visiting my.wasterecyling.org 
   to enter your company email address and create a password.
2. Once logged in, select the Awards button at the top of the screen.
3. Select Driver or Operator of the year to pay for the application.
4. On the left side bar, select My Award Applications.
5. Fill out the application.
   1. Make sure to fill out every drop-down menu, as each completed answer impacts the scoring.

      Please note that the application will say “Got it” and will be listed as incomplete. This is normal. The NWRA staff will then review the application for any missing information and move it to a submit status.

The Judging Process

All preliminary judging is completely anonymous and based on a weighted scoring system. The finalists in each category are determined by computer tabulation. Additional documentation will be requested for these individuals.

Upon notification, please provide letters of recommendation, service award certificates, testimonials from customers or any other documented examples of outstanding service. The coded score sheets and additional documentation will be forwarded to a judging committee to assist in selecting the winners. The supervisor of the winning driver in each category will be notified via e-mail.

Who Can Participate

• Drivers from the private and public sectors in the United States involved in the waste and recycling industry.
• Drivers must be a full-time employee of a member company at the time of nomination, winner selection and award presentation.

Please contact Kirk Sander at 202-364-3750 or ksander@wasterecycling.org with any questions about the nomination process.