FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 28, 2025
NATIONAL WORKERS’ MEMORIAL DAY: HONORING THE HEROES OF WASTE AND RECYCLING
Arlington, VA – Today, April 28, as we observe National Workers’ Memorial Day, the National Waste & Recycling Association (NWRA) urges all Americans to take a moment to honor the men and women who work tirelessly to manage the nation’s waste and recyclables, ensuring cleaner, more sustainable communities.
As the leading voice for the private sector waste and recycling industry, NWRA is committed to advancing worker safety and honoring those who have lost their lives while serving their communities. Worker safety remains a core priority for NWRA, and this day of remembrance reinforces the Association’s ongoing commitment to improving industry standards and reducing workplace risks.
“As we recognize National Workers’ Memorial Day, let us reflect on and honor the hard work and dedication of the waste and recycling industry’s workforce,” said Michael E. Hoffman, NWRA president and CEO. “NWRA has long championed initiatives aimed at protecting waste and recycling workers. Through groundbreaking research, access to comprehensive training programs, and advocacy for stronger safety regulations, NWRA strives to create safer working environments and prevent future tragedies.”
A cornerstone of NWRA’s safety efforts is collaboration with organizations that share a commitment to protecting workers. NWRA partners with Together for Safer Roads on its FOCUS on Fleet Safety program and supports the National Propane Gas Association’s ACE Services Entry-Level Driver Training Program.
Additionally, NWRA works closely with industry groups such as the Recycled Materials Association (ReMA) and the Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA) to develop educational materials on critical topics including:
- Fire prevention at material recovery facilities (MRFs)
- Lithium-ion battery safety and proper disposal
- Preventing “struck-by” fatalities caused by distracted driving near waste collection crews
- These initiatives provide vital tools and training that elevate safety practices across the entire industry.
NWRA actively engages policymakers and regulatory agencies to advocate for reforms that prioritize worker protection. The Association champions public awareness campaigns like “Slow Down to Get Around” and the U.S. Department of Transportation’s “Put the Phone Away or Pay” initiative, both aimed at reducing distracted driving incidents that endanger waste collection workers.
NWRA also supports legislation that strengthens the identification and proper handling of electronic waste and lithium-ion batteries—hazards that increasingly threaten worker safety when improperly discarded in waste streams.
NWRA encourages everyone this Memorial Day to reflect on the vital contributions of waste and recycling workers—and to join in the ongoing effort to protect and support them.
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ABOUT NWRA
The National Waste & Recycling Association (NWRA) represents the private sector waste and recycling services industry. Association members conduct business in all 50 states and include companies that manage solid, industrial/hazardous, medical, and construction/demolition debris waste, and represent equipment manufacturers and distributors, and a variety of other professional service providers. For more information about NWRA, please visit www.wasterecycling.org.
Contact
Genevieve O’Sullivan
National Waste & Recycling Association
gosullivan@wasterecycling.org
202-731-1812