NWRA, SWANA to partner on safety, education and advocacy

The National Waste & Recycling Association (NWRA), Arlington, Virginia, and the Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA), Silver Spring, Maryland, signed a formal memorandum of understanding (MOU) this week during a signing ceremony at WasteExpo 2025 in Las Vegas. The agreement strengthens their commitment to collaboration on key industry issues, including safety, education and advocacy.

The MOU outlines a framework for joint efforts to improve industry safety outcomes, enhance professional education and training and align on critical public policy priorities. It also formalizes the exchange of anonymized safety data, coordination on events and joint policy statements and shared access to signature campaigns like NWRA’s “Slow Down to Get Around.”

“By aligning our efforts through this agreement, NWRA and SWANA are taking an important step forward in making our industry safer, smarter and more unified,” says Michael E. Hoffman, president and CEO of NWRA. “We are committed to building a stronger, more collaborative relationship that leverages our strengths and improves outcomes for our members and the public.”

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The agreement grants SWANA a nonfee license to use the “Slow Down to Get Around” campaign, furthering outreach efforts to protect frontline workers. The two organizations will also hold quarterly virtual and annual in-person safety committee meetings to continue advancing shared goals.

“This partnership reflects our shared vision to elevate safety and training in the waste and resource management industry,” says Amy Lestition Burke, CEO of SWANA. “We are committed to planning a resilient future by maximizing by the complementary strengths of our two organizations. Together we are advancing safety, innovation and connections throughout the industry and society.”

The organizations say this collaboration further advances and formalizes the cooperation between NWRA and SWANA. Earlier this year, the two groups released a joint policy statement on lithium-ion batteries, as well as a statement on safety data.

The MOU is effective immediately and remains in place for one year with the option to renew annually.