Safety is our Standard
At the National Waste & Recycling Association (NWRA), safety is more than a
priority—it’s our mission. The safety team is dedicated to advancing safety and
operational excellence across the waste and recycling industry. We champion best
practices by developing and maintaining national standards, offering comprehensive
safety training, and providing critical resources that help companies protect their
employees and communities. Through collaboration and leadership, we strive to create a safer, more efficient environment for all industry stakeholders.
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.
NWRA Safety
Our commitment to safety: Programs and initiatives that make a difference
At NWRA, protecting the people who keep our communities clean is at the heart of everything we do.
Through an extensive range of safety programs, training opportunities, and compliance initiatives, we support our member companies and their workers with the tools, knowledge, and resources they need to minimize hazards, prevent injuries, and drive a culture of safety throughout the waste and recycling industry.
NWRA Safety Resources
Safety Resources and Downloads
NWRA offers free and premium safety resources to improve training and awareness across the industry. Visit our Training & Education page for resources, guides, and downloadable materials.
Safety Monday
Weekly safety tips reaching thousands of drivers and workers.
Safety Manual
Comprehensive guides for drivers, operators, and managers.
Seminars & Webinars
Education sessions hosted at member locations and NWRA events.
(Coming soon!)
Advocacy & Safety Leadership
Driving Policy and Protecting Industry Workers
NWRA closely monitors Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) enforcement actions, Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) inspection trends, and the latest regulatory changes.
We provide valuable compliance tools and actively represent the waste and recycling industry on regulatory proposals that affect our members.
OSHA Compliance and Regulatory Support
Government agencies such as the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and state-approved plans conduct regular inspections to verify safety compliance in the industry. At NWRA, we actively track OSHA’s enforcement actions and inspection trends, and provide expert commentary on regulatory proposals that impact the waste and recycling sector.
DOT Compliance
The Department of Transportation includes several administrations which promulgate rules affecting the waste and recycling industry, including the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), and the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA). NWRA monitors enforcement actions and inspection trends and comments on proposed regulations that will affect the waste and recycling industry.
EPA Compliance
The mission of EPA is to protect human health and the environment. The NWRA Safety Team works with the administration on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of trucks, monitors enforcement actions and inspection trends, and comments on proposed regulations that will affect the waste and recycling industry.