EIA: Fame, Money, Prizes!

Thomas Metzger

Help us honor the solid waste industry’s best drivers, employees and scholars. The Environmental Industry Associations (EIA), through the National Solid Wastes Management Association (NSWMA) and the Waste Equipment Technology Association (WASTEC) and affiliated groups, is accepting applications for a number of its annual awards and scholarships. While participation in most of these is limited to NSWMA and WASTEC members, one is open to anyone who works in the industry.

NSWMA and WASTEC are accepting nominations to honor the solid waste management industry’s most outstanding leaders and employees at WasteExpo 2012. You are encouraged to recognize your peers for their great work by nominating them for the awards.
“America’s solid waste industry employees should be proud of their essential work,” said EIA President and CEO Bruce J. Parker. “Every day, employees of America’s solid waste services industry protect human health and the environment by collecting and processing America’s garbage and recyclables. Others design and sell innovative equipment and services that have revolutionized the way that waste is managed. Our awards programs give industry leaders opportunities to honor the great work of their employees. We look forward to getting a number of great nominations.”

Driver of the Year Awards: This competition is a great way to recognize your best and safest drivers. All nominees receive a gift package and certificate of appreciation. Finalists also receive a personalized plaque. The winner in each category is honored in person at WasteExpo, and receives a commemorative gift and $1,000 cash prize. The deadline for 2012 Driver of the Year Awards is Dec. 2, 2011.

EIA Hall of Fame Awards: The Hall of Fame recognizes leaders in the waste industry that have been actively engaged in the business for at least 20 years. Inductees into the leadership ranks of the EIA Hall of Fame include former and current presidents, chief operating officers, and senior executives of waste disposal operations, trade associations, consulting firms and manufacturing facilities. There are currently more than 160 waste industry leaders in the EIA Hall of Fame. The deadline for 2010 EIA Hall of Fame Awards nominations is Jan. 6, 2012.

WASTEC Awards: This program is a unique opportunity for WASTEC member companies to recognize their best employees who excel in engineering, production, or sales and marketing. WASTEC Employees of the Year demonstrate diligence and ingenuity. Nominations for 2011 WASTEC Awards must be completed and returned no later than Jan. 13, 2012.

Women’s Council Scholarships: The EIA Women’s Council established an educational scholarship program to assist qualified individuals in their pursuit of an education that will lead to productive careers in the environmental industry. All NSWMA and WASTEC member employees and their dependents are eligible to apply. The Women’s Council has awarded scholarships to nearly 20 students during the last six years. In 2011, the Women’s Council awarded three $5,000 scholarship.

Subject to available funding and the decision of the executive committee of the Women’s Council, multiple scholarships in the amount of $5,000 each will be awarded for the 2012-2013 academic year. The submission deadline is Feb. 15, 2012, and decisions will be announced on or about March 1, 2012.

Awardees will be featured in publications for the upcoming WasteExpo Convention to be held in Las Vegas, from April 30-May 3, 2012.

More Info
Interested in learning more? Information about all of these opportunities, including eligibility information and application materials, may be found at www.environmentalistseveryday.org/awards.

Questions about NSWMA and WASTEC membership may be addressed to EIA Member Services Director Christine Hutcherson at 202-364-3707 or [email protected].

Thomas Metzger is director of communications and public affairs for the National Solid Wastes Management Association. Reach him at (202) 364-3751.