By Paul Ploumis (ScrapMonster Author)

June 08, 2016 03:14:38 AM

SPOKANE (Scrap Monster):  The National Waste & Recycling Association (NWRA) has honored waste and recycling industry professionals for their commendable contributions to the industry. The awards were distributed during the 48th Annual WasteExpo event currently being held at Las Vegas.

The awards were presented in three different categories-Distinguished Service, Industry Visionary and Driver of the Year.

Distinguished Service

The winner of the ‘Distinguished Service Award’ was Jason Lind, vice president of sales at Springdale, Arkansas-based Cram-A-Lot.

Sharon H. Kneiss, president and CEO of NWRA noted that Jason Lind has demonstrated exemplary dedication and service to drive the recycling industry forward with innovative collection and recycling strategies. Kneiss commended the contributions by Jason as chairman of the NWRA Standards Committee. He played a pivotal role in formulating various industry standards after thorough evaluation and analysis of various suggestions by members. Moreover, he played a key role in the successful transition towards the ‘Manufacturer Sales Data’ program which ensures confidential and web-based collection of sales data from participants.

Meantime, Lind noted that it is a tremendous recognition in honor of his services to the organization. He lauded the continued efforts by manufacturing partners in the waste and recycling industry to ensure safety in operations. The utilization of creative technologies to deliver safer products will benefit the industry and set new standards, he added.

Industry Visionary

‘Industry Visionary’ award was posthumously conferred on Charles Walton, founder of Wastequip.

Kneiss noted that Walton, who passed away last year, was a true trailblazer and entrepreneur. He was known for his respect to his employees regardless of their position in the company. He earned trust and respect of his employees. His transparency in conducting business helped him consolidate the operations through acquisition of smaller regional brands.

Founded in 1989, Wastequip Wastequip today employs more than 1,500 associates with operations in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. With a strong history of manufacturing expertise and product innovation, Wastequip manufactures a full line of products, systems, and solutions for the collection and transportation of solid waste, recyclables, liquid waste, and organics. 

Driver of the Year

The ‘Driver of the Year’ awards were presented to David Brian Bedford, Efren "Fernando" Lopez of Republic Services in Boise, Idaho and Rickie Patterson of Rumpke Waste & Recycling in Cincinnati.

Bedford, the winner in large industrial category, has worked for Republic Services for 30 years. He has an outstanding safety record on road. The award is also in recognition for his long-standing commitment to the company and his dedication to customer service. Each week he drives an average of 1,035 miles on his route, with an average 41 pickups.

Mr. Lopez began his driving career in 1987 in Stockton, Calif. Over the past 28 years, he has earned a reputation for his strong work ethic and pride in keeping the cleanest truck in the local fleet. He has collected over 160,800 tons of solid waste and served more than six million households throughout his career.

Patterson has worked for Rumpke Waste & Recycling for 30 years. Each week he drives an average of 600 miles on his route, with an average 700 pickups.

About NWRA

The National Waste & Recycling Association is the leading organization providing leadership, advocacy, research, education and safety expertise for the waste and recycling industries. NWRA is the ANSI accredited standards developer and organizational member representing waste and recycling companies throughout the United States involved in the collection of waste, recyclables, organics and composting, and the production of waste-based energy.