National Waste & Recycling Association

Woodsy's Republic Service Family Day *Private Event*
2026-02-20 19:00 - 2026-02-21 18:59 (America/New_York) | Republic Services Headquarters – Phoenix, AZ

Carolinas Chapter Meeting
2026-03-03 19:00 - 2026-03-04 18:59 | Maynard Nexsen Office – Columbia, SC
More details to come.

Fortifying The Front Lines: 9th Annual Waste & Recycling Facility Fires Report Webinar
2026-03-11 13:00 - 14:00 | Webinar
The data is in, and the conclusion is undeniable: 2025 was the worst year on record for publicly reported fire incidents in the waste and recycling industry across the U.S. and Canada. The industry has reached a critical inflection point, facing a sustained siege driven by the “Vape Effect”—the relentless influx of over 1.2 billion disposable lithium-ion devices entering our waste streams annually.

Join Ryan Fogelman, as he unpacks the findings from the 9th Annual Waste & Recycling Facility Fires Report. This session moves beyond the statistics to explore the “new baseline” of fire risk, where seasonal spikes have evolved into year-round hazards. Ryan will discuss how operators are shifting from a reactive “water, water, water” approach to Targeted Remote Response (TRR), utilizing the FM-Approved Fire Rover solution to stop fires in the critical first moments.

Presenter: Ryan Fogelman, J.D./MBA, Fire Protection Consultant, Fire Rover

CO-Hosts:

Kirk Sander – Senior Vice President, Chief Safety and Standards National Waste & Recycling Association (NWRA)

Kristyn Oldendorf – Senior Director of Public Policy & CommunicationsSolid Waste Association of North America (SWANA)

Duration: [60 Minutes]

Arizona Chapter Meeting
2026-03-13 10:00 - 11:30 | Republic Services Phoenix Office – Phoenix, AZ
Join the Arizona Chapter meeting where we’ll cover key association updates, legislative and regulatory developments, and other local matters affecting our industry. For more information, reach out to Rachel Hering.Office Address: 4811 W Lower Buckeye Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85043

Goodyear Community Battery Safety Awareness
2026-03-16 11:00 - 15:00 | Georgia T. Lord Library – Goodyear, AZ
Join us in Arizona for a fun, free, battery take-back event and help keep your community safe from battery fires!

Woodsy Battery Take-back Event at Cal Poly Pomona
2026-03-18 12:00 - 16:00 | Cal Poly Pomona Campus – Pomona, CA
Join us in California for a fun, free, battery take-back event and help keep your community safe from battery fires!

About the Event:

Grab some Skip-the-Bin swag

Return used batteries for free

Snap photos with the US Forest Service’s Woodsy Owl

Tour Woodsy Owl’s retro Airstream, and see if you can win his battery challenge

Learn how to safely store and dispose of used batteries

VWIA Chapter Meeting
2026-03-19 08:30 - 10:30 | Law Offices of Spotts Fain – Richmond, VA
Virginia Waste Industries Association (VWIA) Chapter Meeting. More details to come

HWI Webinar: The Current State of Practice – and Misinformation – about Hospital, Medical and Infectious Waste Incinerators
2026-04-09 13:00 - 14:00 | Webinar
MEMEBERS ONLY: Join the Healthcare Waste Institute (HWI) for a webinar on April 9 at 1:00 PM EDT featuring Suzie Boxman, PhD, Senior Director of Programs with the Environmental Research & Education Foundation (EREF). Ms. Boxman will present findings from EREF’s final draft report, State of Practice: Hospital, Medical & Infectious Waste Incineration (HMIWI), prepared with support from NWRA’s HWI.

2nd Annual Tennessee Trash Can Open + Chapter Meeting
2026-04-15 19:00 - 2026-04-16 18:59 | Hermitage Golf Course – Nashville, TN
Registration is open! We’re looking forward to bringing our members together for this event. Additional details, registration information, and sponsorship opportunities will be shared as we get closer.1:00PM Shotgun Start

Woodsy x American Waste Control Take-Back Event
2026-04-18 13:00 - 15:00 | Tulsa Premium Outlets – Jenks, OK
Join us in Tulsa, OK, for a free, battery take-back event with Woodsy Owl! Bring the whole family to learn about battery safety, proper disposal, and the simple steps you can take to keep your community safe from battery fires.

Earth Day Take-Back Event @ National Landing
2026-04-22 10:00 - 14:00 | Crystal City Water Park – Arlington, VA
Join us in Arlington, VA, at the National Landing BID Community Cleanup for a free battery take-back event with Woodsy Owl! Bring the whole family to learn about battery safety, proper disposal, and the simple steps you can take to keep your community safe from battery fires.

Woodsy x Streamwood Environmental Education Day Battery Take-back Event
2026-04-25 10:00 - 14:00 | Village Hall Parking Lot – Streamwood, IL
Join us in Streamwood, IL for a fun, free battery take-back event and help keep your community safe from battery fires!

Woodsy Battery Take-Back Event at Catholic University
2026-04-28 10:00 - 14:00 | Edward J. Pryzbyla University Center – Washington, DC
Join us in Washington, DC, at Catholic University, for a free battery take-back event with Woodsy Owl! Bring the whole family to learn about battery safety, proper disposal, and the simple steps you can take to keep your community safe from battery fires.

Kentucky Chapter's Inaugural Bluegrass Clay Classic
2026-04-29 05:00 - 10:30 | Elk Creek Hunt Club – Owenton, KY
Join the NWRA Kentucky Chapter at Elk Creek Hunt Club for a day of networking, friendly competition, and industry connection at the annual Sporting Clays Classic. Set in the rolling hills of Kentucky, the event features a professionally designed course, chapter meeting, lunch, and awards reception — offering waste and recycling professionals of all experience levels a relaxed outdoor setting to build relationships and support advocacy efforts across the Bluegrass State.

Woodsy SW DC Battery Take-Back
2026-04-29 08:00 - 17:00 | L’Enfant Plaza Station Entrance A – Washington DC
Join us at L’Enfant Plaza station in Washington, DC, for a free battery take-back event with Woodsy Owl! Bring the whole family to learn about battery safety, proper disposal, and the simple steps you can take to keep your community safe from battery fires.

NoMa REI Co-Op x WoodsyBattery Take-Back Event
2026-04-30 14:00 - 18:00 | NoMa REI Co-Op Front Plaza – Washington, DC
Join us at the NoMa REI Co-Op Front Plaza in Washington, DC, for a free battery take-back event with Woodsy Owl! Bring the whole family to learn about battery safety, proper disposal, and the simple steps you can take to keep your community safe from battery fires.

Utah Chapter Meeting & Baseball Networking Event
2026-04-30 17:00 - 22:30 | Salt Lake Bees Stadium – Salt Lake City, UT
Join the NWRA Utah Chapter for an evening of networking and baseball. Connect with fellow waste and recycling professionals, enjoy a pre-game mixer in the VIP lounge, and watch the game with great seats reserved for our group. The chapter will also host a brief meeting before the game to share updates on chapter and NWRA activities. We look forward to seeing you there!

IFAT 2026 American Reception
2026-05-03 12:00 - 13:00 | The Resi at Der Pschorr – Munich, Germany
Meeting Details:

American Reception at IFAT Munich 2026The Resi at Der PschorrMunich, Germany

Registration or Additional Details:

Register Now!

Join the National Waste & Recycling Association (NWRA) and our American colleagues from across the industry for an evening of networking, celebration, and international connection.

Held at The Resi at Der Pschorr on the eve of IFAT Munich, The American Reception is our chance to showcase how the U.S. waste and recycling industry shows up on the global stage.

We are seeking sponsors to help bring The American Reception to life! Sponsorship includes signage, recognition in event promotions, and the opportunity to bring colleagues from your company to the reception. Sponsor info here.

Alabama & Georgia Chapter Meetings & Golf Outing
2026-05-11 08:00 - 2026-05-12 17:00 | Lake Lanier Resort, Buford, GA
The NWRA Alabama & Georgia Chapters will host their 2nd joint Trash Can Open on Tuesday May 12th, with a shotgun start at 9:00am. Participants will enjoy a day of golf, followed by a lunch and awards ceremony to celebrate the event. This Annual tournament provides a great opportunity for networking and friendly competition among industry peers.

Illinois Chapter Meeting & Legislative Reception
2026-05-13 15:00 - 19:30 | The Inn at 835 – Springfield, IL
Please join us in Springfield for the 2026 NWRA Illinois Chapter Meeting and Legislative Reception.

The afternoon will begin with a State of the Association update from Michael E. Hoffman, followed by legislative updates from Chapter Lobbyist Jim Morphew.

Following the meeting, we will walk to Trish & Mary’s Public House for the Legislative Reception, co-hosted with the Chemical Industry Council of Illinois (CICI), for the opportunity to network with state legislators, agency officials, and industry peers.

We hope you will join us for an afternoon of industry updates and an evening of networking with the policymakers shaping the future of waste and recycling in Illinois.

We look forward to seeing you in Springfield!

Ohio Legislative Reception 2026
2026-05-13 17:00 - 18:30 | Ohio Chamber of Commerce – Columbus, OH
Join the NWRA Ohio Chapter for networking and engaging conversations with legislators, key state decision-makers, industry experts, and fellow members of the NWRA Ohio Chapter. This is a unique opportunity to discuss important industry issues, share insights, and advocate for the sustainable management of the state’s resources.

Struck-By Prevention: Managing Vehicle-Pedestrian Interactions in Waste and Recycling Facilities Webinar
2026-05-14 11:00 - 12:00 | Webinar
Vehicle-pedestrian incidents represent one of the leading causes of fatalities in waste and recycling operations. With heavy equipment, commercial trucks and workers often occupying the same space, the potential for catastrophic struck-by incidents is ever-present. This webinar provides comprehensive strategies for separating people from moving vehicles and managing interactions where separation is unavoidable, such as on landfill working faces, tipping floors, scale houses and yard operations. We cover site design considerations, traffic control plans, technology solutions (i.e., proximity detection, cameras and alarms), administrative controls and the critical human factors that contribute to these incidents. Learn from incident investigations, explore best practices from high-performing facilities and discover how to conduct effective risk assessments for your specific operational environment.

VWIA Chapter Meeting & Golf
2026-05-20 00:00 - 2026-05-21 23:59 | Williamsburg Lodge – Williamsburg, VA
Please join us for our VWIA Chapter Meeting on May 20 and our 2026 VWIA Mike Dobson Open on May 21 at the Golden Horseshoe Golf Club – Green Course – home of the award-winning Robert Trent Jones, Sr. and Rees Jones designed golf courses!

This is the perfect location to get together with your industry colleagues and enjoy some time on the course.

This Golf Outing is Open to Both Members and Non-Members of NWRA.

Ohio 3rd Annual Trash Can Open
2026-05-27 00:00 - 23:59 | Golf Club of Dublin – Dublin, OH
Join us on May 27th for a round of golf that promises to be as exciting as it is scenic. Held at the Golf Club of Dubin, this industry event will blend friendly competition with stunning landscapes, creating memories that will last a lifetime.

Waste Leadership Summit
2026-06-08 08:00 - 2026-06-10 17:00 | Washington Hilton – Washington D.C.

Annual Awards Gala
2026-06-10 17:30 - 20:00 | Washington Hilton – Washington D.C.
Join us for an unforgettable evening as we celebrate the association’s outstanding leaders.

Our annual awards gala, set against the stunning backdrop of the Washington Hilton, will honor the Drivers, Operators, and Technician of the Year and the NWRA Hall of Fame Class of 2026.

NWRA D.C. Legislative Fly-In 2026
2026-06-11 08:00 - 16:00 | U.S. Capitol – Washington, D.C.
The National Waste & Recycling Association invites industry leaders and professionals to join us on June 11 for our Legislative Fly‑In at the U.S. Capitol. Held immediately after the Waste Leadership Summit and the NWRA Annual Awards Gala at the Washington Hilton, this event provides a timely and impactful opportunity to connect with policymakers and continue the momentum from our week of industry engagement.

This coordinated advocacy day provides members with the opportunity to engage with Congressional offices to discuss federal policy priorities impacting the waste and recycling industry. Through these meetings, participants will help advance policies that support safe operations, sustainable materials management, workforce development, recycling innovation, and responsible infrastructure investment.

HWI Summer Summit
2026-06-11 09:00 - 17:30 | Alston & Bird, LLC Office – Washington D.C.
Join other HWI members in-person for a full day of healthcare waste content at Alston & Bird, 950 F St. NW, Washington, DC. More information about topics and speakers is coming soon.If your company is interested in sponsoring a meal or break, please contact Sara Bixby at sbixby@wasterecycling.org for details.

Hispanic Waste & Recycling Alliance Meeting
2026-06-12 15:00 - 16:00 | Virtual Meeting
Join us for the inaugural meeting of the Hispanic Waste & Recycling Alliance (HWRA) as we come together to build community, strengthen engagement, and create new opportunities for Hispanic professionals across the waste and recycling industry. Please note that participation in the HWRA is exclusive to members of the National Waste & Recycling Association (NWRA). To receive the meeting link or learn more about joining, please email Enjoli DeGrasse.

34th Annual MN Trash Can Open
2026-06-22 08:00 - 15:30 | Green Haven Golf Course – Anoka, MN
Save the date for one of our favorite annual traditions! 8:00am CDT Check-in10:00am CDT ShotgunMore details about sponsorships, and player registration will be announced soon.
