Community
Awards & Scholarships
Awards
Each year, SWANA distributes a variety of awards celebrating outstanding solid waste programs, facilities, and individuals that advance the practice of exemplary solid waste management. SWANA publicly recognizes:
- Advancing worker and community health and safety.
- Implementing successful education and outreach programs.
- Utilizing effective technologies and processes in system design and operations.
APPLICATIONS ARE NOW OPEN FOR 2025 AWARDS!
The deadline for nominations is August 13, 2025, 11:59 PM EDT. A list of award categories and additional information about each one can be found below.
This year, award winners will be announced at RCon™, the premier conference hosted by SWANA from November 12 – 15, 2025, in Columbus, Ohio.
Ready to submit your application?
- Navigate to our awards submission portal.
- Log in using your SWANA email address and password.
- If you haven’t logged in since May, click “Forgot Password” to create a new password.
- Select the awards program area from the tiles and complete your application.
Award Categories
PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS
The SWANA Professional Achievement Awards Program recognizes contributions to solid waste management and public health/environmental protection.
- Robert L. Lawrence Distinguished Service Award
- Honorary Membership Award
- Life Member Awards
- Professional Achievement Award for a Private Sector Member
- Professional Achievement Award for a Public Sector Member
Learn more about the Professional Achievement Awards.
YOUNG PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR AWARD
The Young Professional of the Year Award formally acknowledges the hard work, performance, and dedication of three young professionals annually in the solid waste and resource management industry, encouraging the next generation.
TECHNICAL DIVISION AWARDS
SWANA’s Technical Division Awards honor individuals and organizations whose work has advanced best practices, safety, sustainability, and technical excellence within SWANA’s Technical Divisions.
- Collection & Transfer Technical Division Award
- Communication, Education & Marketing Technical Division Awards
- Landfill Gas & Biogas Technical Division Awards
- Landfill Management Technical Division Award
- Planning & Management Technical Division Award
- Sustainable Materials Management Technical Division Awards
- Waste Conversion & Energy Recovery Technical Division Awards
Learn more about the Technical Division Awards.
SAFETY AWARDS
SWANA Safety Awards honor safety best practices and successes.
- Best Safety Innovation Award
- Best Safety Training Program Award
- Biggest Safety Improvement Award
- Workplace Wellness Award
Learn more about the Safety Awards.
Scholarships
SWANA has developed several scholarship programs for students studying in fields related to solid waste management to encourage and foster next generation employees.
- Robert P. Stearns/SCS Engineers Scholarship Award
- Harvey W. Gershman Scholarship
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