NWRA Member Committees
Shape the future of the waste and recycling industry by participating in an NWRA committee. Committees are where members connect, exchange ideas, and take an active role in advancing the industry. Most committees are open to all members and can be joined using the form below, while select groups require a separate application process.
ANSI Z245 Accredited Standards Committee
Click here to learn more and to apply to serve on the ANSI Z245 Standards Committee or its subcommittees.
As the Secretariat for the American National Standards Committee Z245, NWRA leads the development of equipment, technology, and operational standards that protect workers and communities nationwide. The ANS Z245 Accredited Standards Committee is the official consensus body for standards developed under the scope of the committee’s activities. The membership consists of organizations, companies, government agencies, individuals and others that have a direct and material interest in the activities of the committee.
Communications Committee
The Communications Committee plays a key role in shaping how the waste and recycling industry is represented and understood by policymakers, media, and the public. The committee provides strategic guidance on NWRA’s brand, public relations and media outreach, digital communications, and marketing initiatives, helping ensure the Association’s voice is clear, credible, and impactful. Open to communications, marketing, and public affairs professionals from NWRA member companies, the committee offers a valuable opportunity to collaborate with peers across the industry, share best practices, and help guide the messaging and communications strategies that support the industry’s reputation and advocacy priorities.
Education Committee
The purpose of the Education Committee is to identify and prioritize educational topics and opportunities that align with the association’s strategic plan. The Committee works with staff to identify educational session topics for WasteExpo, Waste Leadership Summit, and assists in recommending and confirming speakers for all association education programs, including seminars and webinars. The Education Committee typically meets bimonthly via conference call and is open to any employee or representative of any NWRA services or supplier member company.
Future Industry Leaders Alliance (FILA)
The Future Industry Leaders Alliance (FILA) provides education, networking with a nationwide group of industry leaders and mentoring to future leaders to prepare them for executive advancement and professional leadership in the waste and recycling industry. FILA members receive professional development opportunities in leadership, finance, human resources, operations, safety, public policy and advocacy and business development. Through facility tours and educational sessions, FILA members learn about emerging technologies and trends in the industry. FILA also emphasizes giving back to the industry and other charitable organizations by providing its members volunteer opportunities.
Government Affairs Committee
The Government Affairs Committee provides guidance and support to NWRA for developing positions on federal, state, and local legislative and regulatory issues of interest to the waste and recycling industry. The committee holds monthly virtual meetings concerning federal, state and local legislative and regulatory actions, and helps develop written comments and testimony in response to agency proposals. This committee is open to any employee or representative of any NWRA services of supplier member company.
Hispanic Waste & Recycling Alliance
Landfill Institute (LFI)
The Landfill Institute (LFI) is a policymaking group within the Association whose members are owners and operators of landfills, consultants, engineers and attorneys providing service to landfills. LFI members are involved in public policy, advocacy and education.
Membership Committee
The Membership Committee is made up of volunteers and staff from NWRA’s supplier and services members. This group meets quarterly via conference call and frequently via email communications, new programs and special projects that directly impact members. The committee meets in person at WasteExpo and the Industry Conference. Membership on the committee is open to any employee or representative of any NWRA services or supplier member.
Recycling Committee
The Recycling Committee was formed to address common issues facing the industry with respect to recycling collection, processing and marketing. Items of interest to the committee include extended producer responsibility, municipal requests for proposals, safety practices at materials recovery facilities, designs for recycling and the economics of recycling. Membership on the committee is open to any employee or representative of any NWRA services or supplier member.
Safety Committee
The NWRA Safety Committee exists to advance a strong culture of safety across the waste and recycling industry by identifying critical risks, sharing best practices, and supporting member companies in preventing serious injuries and fatalities. The committee serves as a forum for collaboration among industry leaders, safety professionals, and partners to address regulatory issues, emerging hazards, and operational challenges. Its scope includes the development of guidance, educational resources, and safety initiatives, as well as oversight of focused subcommittees that evaluate data, technologies, and strategies to continuously improve worker safety and operational performance. The committee meets every month on the third Thursday of the month at 11:00 AM ET.
Safety Committee Subcommittee: Fleet Maintenance Council
The Fleet Maintenance Council is a subcommittee of the Safety Committee focused on supporting safe, efficient fleet operations across the waste and recycling industry. The council brings together fleet and maintenance professionals to share real-world experience, discuss common challenges, and stay ahead of emerging issues affecting vehicles and equipment. Key areas of focus include preventive maintenance, technician training, safety practices, and regulatory considerations, along with how new technologies are shaping fleet management. The council also keeps a close eye on legislative and regulatory developments that may impact fleet maintenance and operations across the industry. Through these conversations, members gain practical insights that help reduce downtime, improve safety outcomes, and keep operations running reliably.
Safety Committee Subcommittee: SIF Prevention Subcommittee
The Serious Injury and Fatality (SIF) Subcommittee brings together thought leaders, industry stakeholders, safety professionals, and regulatory experts to analyze fatality data, incident patterns, identify high-risk operations, and develop a universal framework for targeted interventions for common fatal hazards experienced among NWRA member companies. The subcommittee works to share best practices, create industry-specific safety protocols, and promote adoption of the SIF prevention framework and proactive culture shift within the industry. You do not have to be a member of NWRA to join but you should be familiar with the Waste and Recycling Industry.
Safety Committee Subcommittee: Technology Subcommittee
The Technology Subcommittee explores and evaluates emerging technologies that can transform waste and recycling operations through improved efficiency, safety, and sustainability. Committee members will examine innovations such as AI-powered sorting systems, telematics and fleet management tools, automated collection vehicles, robotics, and digital platforms that optimize routes and operations. This subcommittee serves as a forum for sharing knowledge about the challenges and opportunities of technology adoption and aims to inspire thought leadership on how to positively shape regulations without hindering innovation.
Statistics Committee
The Statistics Committee strives to meet the data needs of NWRA members. A long-established program, the Manufacturer Sales Data (MSD) program collects NWRA equipment member sales through a confidential web-based portal. The MSD program includes seven equipment reporting categories: Compactors, Balers, Carts, Tarps, Containers, Mobile Equipment and Tipper/Lifters. The committee will continue to work on quarterly reports produced by the Environmental Research & Education Foundation in 2021.
West Coast Advisory Board
The West Coast Advisory Board brings together NWRA member companies across California, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington to advance the waste and recycling industry at the regional level. Through a focus on education, networking, and professional development, the Board creates opportunities for members to stay informed on industry trends, build meaningful connections, and contribute to the growth of the industry. Member volunteers lead the Board’s efforts with support from NWRA staff, and much of the work is carried out through its professional development, membership, and marketing committees. These groups give members a hands-on way to get involved, collaborate with peers, and help shape programs that support both regional priorities and the broader industry.
Women’s Council
The NWRA Women’s Council is a dynamic member network dedicated to supporting and advancing women in the waste and recycling industry. Open to all employees of NWRA member companies, the Council fosters professional growth through education, networking, leadership development, and mentorship opportunities. It also plays a meaningful role in giving back to the industry, awarding academic scholarships and developing resources that help build the next generation of talent. Since its founding in 2003, the Women’s Council has created a strong community that connects, empowers, and elevates women across all sectors of the industry.