The Environmental Industry Associations (EIA) and the Environmental Research & Education Foundation (EREF) have formed an agreement on a structure to work together on research and education.

The accord, announced at WasteExpo in New Orleans, identifies the areas and parameters for collaborative work that will support the missions of both groups, the organizations said in a news release.

The Raleigh, N.C.-based EREF and the Washington-based EIA will work together to prioritize data aggregation efforts, gain member/stakeholder support, complete research and share non-sensitive data. EREF, the research and education organization, and the waste and recycling industry association EIA will discuss the organizations’ mutual support of EIA’s certification efforts, safety program and advocacy initiatives.

 The organizations will work together to provide more educational options for industry stakeholders. The groups also will identify topics that could generate white papers that EIA members may need. EREF will use its research grants program and obtain content through its various research initiatives under its internal research program to generate those papers.

 “The initial effort we plan to undertake is to develop an industry work group to identify data and information needs,” said Bryan Staley, EREF president and CEO. “EREF and EIA are both dedicated to serving the solid waste and recycling industry, and we are very excited to continue our longstanding collaborative relationship in this way to more effectively fulfill the needs of our members and stakeholders.”

EIA President and CEO Sharon Kneiss said, “EIA’s programs will be strengthened by our relationship with EREF. By working together, we can smartly enhance and strengthen our resources and extend the research capabilities of both groups. This will allow us to better serve the needs of our members and communicate about important topics related to the waste and recycling industry.”