NWRA Urges Congress to Include Disaster Relief Funding for Industry in COVID-19 Stimulus Package

NWRA Urges Congress to Include Disaster Relief Funding for Industry in COVID-19 Stimulus Package

Arlington, VA – The National Waste & Recycling Association (NWRA) wrote Congress urging it to include financial assistance for the waste and recycling industry in COVID-19 economic stimulus legislation while the industry continues to provide essential public health services even as customers are suspending service during this national emergency.

In its letter, NWRA calls on Congress to provide disaster relief funding through the Federal Emergency Management Agency in a COVID-19 stimulus package to cover services provided by companies across the country related to customer bad debt and other non-compensated costs incurred for services being provided to the public during this health crisis.

“During this national emergency, NWRA members will continue providing waste and recycling services to their customers and elsewhere as may be needed regardless of one’s ability to pay in order to protect the public’s health and safety,” said NWRA President and CEO Darrell Smith. “Providing these essential services to those unable to pay as a result of economic hardships caused by COVID-19 while continuing to employ the workforce needed to support such an effort will require assistance.”

The solid waste industry directly employs nearly 470,000 people with a total payroll of more than $29 billion. It is estimated that the private sector waste and recycling industry accounts for more than one million jobs.

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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 waste, recycling and medical waste, equipment manufacturers and distributors, and a variety of other service providers. For more information about NWRA, please visit www.wasterecycling.org.

Contact
Brandon Wright
National Waste and Recycling Association
bwright@wasterecycling.org
202-364-3706