Women’s Council

The National Waste & Recycling Association (NWRA) Women’s Council was established in 2003 for member company employees.

The NWRA Women’s Council is dedicated to advancing and promoting the waste and recycling industry, along with giving back to our member’s companies through education, networking, professional development, and the award of academic scholarships.

Join

The Women’s Council is open to any employee of an NWRA member company. Please review this flyer and contact Katie Raverty-Evans at kevans@wasterecycling.org if you’re interested in joining the NWRA Women’s Council. If you are a current Women’s Council member looking to access your members-only resources, sign in to your NWRA account and find the Women’s Council – Members Only tab on the left toolbar.

2024 Leadership

President Kerri Mead-Bell, Anchor Disposal
Vice President Sam Podgorny, ESG
Treasurer Stephanie Sidler, GFL
Secretary Jocelyn Clindaniel – Municipal Equipment
Fundraising Co-Chair Eileen Brito, Big Truck Transportation, Megan Feehan-Toohig, Risk Strategies
Membership Co-Chair Sarah Fuentes, Smart Waste, Sarah Bielski, CRM
Marketing Co-Chair Lindsay Hoohman, Trucks & Parts, Danielle Dungy, Best Way Disposal   
Professional Development Co-Chair Amanda Curtis, American Waste Control, Erin Huber, Navistar
60th Anniversary Chair Laura Askin, LKACo, LLC
Scholarship Co-Chair Tammy Holtzman, WCN, Faith Zydowsky, Sierra Container Group
WIW AD HOC Co-Chair Malisa Gibson, Loadmaster, Rachel Pierson, WCN, Brittany Anderson, MachineX
Past-president Pam Caron, Risk Strategies

Academic Scholarships

Thanks to the generosity of donors, and in celebration of the 60th anniversary of the National Waste & Recycling Association in 2022, the NWRA Women’s Council will award $60,000 in scholarships for the 2022-2023 academic year. Additionally, the Detachable Containers Association (DCA) has established a scholarship in the amount of $7,500 in honor of Mickey and Ellen Flood. Since 2007, more than $297,000 has been awarded to 63 students. Women’s Council scholarships are offered to NWRA member company employees and their dependents who wish to use their education for a career in the waste and recycling industry. Eligible candidates may be a part-time or returning to school student, a trade or community college applicant or a student for a university/college.

Apply for the Women’s Council Scholarship (applicant must create an account to access the application).

View some scholarship testimonials here.

2024 Carts on Display

The NWRA Women’s Council is pleased to present Carts on Display, a sponsored art competition that will take place at the WasteExpo 2023 from May 7-9, 2024. Entrants in the competition may supply their own 32-gallon or 64-gallon cart, or one will be provided to them by Toter, a division of Wastequip. Entrant must decorate with artwork that promotes the growth of the Waste & Recycling Industry.

Click here to download the packet.

Enclosed in this packet are the following:

    • Key Promotional Benefits for Entrants
    • Checklist of Required Paperwork
    • Terms and Conditions
    • Entry Form and payment – due February 1, 2024
    • Cart Title and Description Form and emailed logo in .jpg format– due February 1, 2024
    • Delivery and Removal Instructions Form – due February 1, 2024

Click here to register ONE cart entry.

NWRA Women’s Council members are professionals working in the environmental industry. The council provides networking opportunities, educational programs for NWRA members and awards academic scholarships to further careers in the environmental field. We hope you enjoy working on this project.

If you have questions, please contact Katie Evans at kevans@wasterecycling.org.

Boutique

The NWRA Women’s Council Boutique made its debut at WasteExpo 2011. The NWRA Women’s Council now brings these industry-related and recycled items to you via the NWRA E-Store. The proceeds from the NWRA Women’s Council Boutique support the Council’s programs including the academic scholarship programs providing a career path in the waste and recycling industry. Click the icon below to start shopping.

“Awesome Bodacious Clever ABC’s Book of Waste and Recycling”

The NWRA Women’s Council has published its children’s book, “Awesome Bodacious Clever ABC’s Book of Waste and Recycling,” which illustrates the waste and recycling industry from a child’s viewpoint. The book is one of many resources the Women’s Council has produced to help build awareness of the waste and recycling industry.

Order your copy here.

Internship Toolkit

The NWRA Women’s Council released an Internship Toolkit to assist companies within the waste and recycling industry with the development of a program. The two-piece toolkit contains A Guide to Developing an Industry Internship Program for the company and an Internship Journal for the cohort.

This free toolkit was developed to address industry workplace shortages, promote careers within the industry and help groom the next generation of industry professionals. The toolkit will assist in attracting and retaining talented individuals new to the waste and recycling industry.

“Where Does my Garbage Go?” Free Coloring Book

The “Where Does My Garbage Go?” coloring book was first published in 2003 as an enjoyable and educational tool to teach children about the route that waste and recycling takes from the curb.

This free download is produced and provided by the NWRA Women’s Council. It is the perfect addition to an Easter basket, company tours, Earth Day classroom lesson plans, America Recycles Day initiatives and great for everyday use.

It is our hope that you will enjoy and share this coloring book!

News

Member Testimonials

“As an early 20-something, it’s difficult envisioning a career in an industry often lacking female representation at the highest levels of leadership. I joined Women’s Council in hopes of connecting with women who have built their careers in waste/recycling and whose personal and professional successes could validate a future for me in the industry. I’m happy to say I have gained such connections—or role models rather—and then some. The Women’s Council has introduced me to strong, intelligent, kind and motivated women who graciously welcomed me into their community and are determined to elevate the careers of all females in waste. I highly recommend membership with this unique organization and am honored to be contributing to the network’s continual growth and development.” – Tate Moeller, Sales and Marketing Coordinator, Organix Solutions

“I have been employed in the waste industry for 22 years and a member of the NWRA Women’s Council since 2010. The Women’s Council has allowed me to expand my professional network and industry knowledge, forge amazing relationships and establish wonderful friendships along the way. The ability to work alongside the members of the Women’s Council to bridge those with industry knowledge with those new to the industry has been extremely rewarding. I am very proud of the Women’s Council and what we have accomplished over the years and look forward to continuing to serve the industry!” – Tammy Holtzman, Waste Connections