Paving the Way for a Greener Tomorrow: The SMM TD Advancement Award

The Sustainable Materials Management Technical Division Advancement Award recognizes the efforts of individuals or organizations including non-profits involved with policy, research, legislation, program development, and/or other initiatives that are blazing new paths for the future of sustainability. The Advancement Award is newly developed to recognize advancement within the framework of sustainable Materials Management and in support of SWANA’s mission to advance the practice of municipal solid waste (MSW) management. This award differs from the Distinguished Individual Achievement Award, in which the nominee works directly within the solid waste management sector.

Examples of this might include:

• Integral involvement in legislation that advances environmental protection and public health that serves as a model for effective policy making in the field of solid waste management.
• A community program related to improving access to and efficiency of solid waste management that can serve a model for the industry.
• Publication of a research project that provided insight into solid waste management that can serve as a best practice for the solid waste industry.

To be eligible for SWANA SMM TD Advancement Award, candidates must:

• Be a current SWANA member
• Be a member of SWANA’s SMM Technical Division
• Have been working in the solid waste/resource management industry for at least the past five years.

Application Requirements

Advancement Award applications can be submitted by the Nominee or on behalf of the Nominee.

• Nominee’s professional experience
  • Including pertinent presentations, publications, and advocacy work (name and dates)
• Nominee’s SWANA or solid waste industry participation
• Volunteer community activities the nominee is currently engaged in related to the solid waste/resource management industry
  • Including any service on the SWANA Board of Directors, Advisory Board, or other national or chapter committees
  • Including any involvement with environmental organizations or other parallel industries
• Why the Nominee should be selected for the SMM TD Advancement Award
• How the Nominee has demonstrated servant leadership related to the sustainable materials management industry
• To better understand the Nominee’s impact in the industry, an independent letter of recommendation must be submitted. The recommendation must be from someone who can provide specific examples, metrics, or qualitative information to substantiate the applicant’s eligibility. In addition to a narrative explaining the impact in the field of sustainable materials management, the letter should include a brief explanation of the recommender’s relationship to the Nominee.
  • The letter can include links, media examples, and/ or images as supplemental information.
  • The letter must include contact information so the recommender can be contacted by the Award Evaluation Committee in the event more information is needed.
• A 500-word narrative describing real-world project(s), program(s), or initiative(s) the Nominee has been involved with, the Nominee’s detailed involvement, and the respective outcomes, including specific details on the location and benefiting stakeholders. The detailed narrative should be supported by concrete evidence and data, illustrating how the solution addressed specific challenges and/or needs and delivered tangible benefits. Links, images, media examples, articles, tables, and graphs are acceptable types of supporting documentation. All data sources must be cited.

Advancement Award applications can be submitted by the Nominee or on behalf of the Nominee.

SMM TD Advancement Award Winners