SWANA is committed to providing members the opportunity to contribute their expertise to the industry. We welcome volunteers from all backgrounds and experience levels to collaborate on these opportunities! There are opportunities with a variety of time commitment requirements and varying start dates, including many ongoing opportunities.
Time Commitment: 5-10 hours
Date Range: March - May
Description and Expectations: SWANA is seeking subject matter experts to serve as reviewers for 2026 RCon session proposals. RCon 2026, hosted in St. Louis, Missouri, will feature technical content and professional development opportunities for all in the waste and resource management industry. Reviews of proposals will be completed online, and on your own time. .
Fill out the form to be considered for this volunteer opportunity.
Time Commitment: 10-15 hours
Date Range: January - April
Description and Expectations: SWANA is seeking dedicated volunteers to serve as judges for the Student Design Competition to play a meaningful role in evaluating innovative student solutions while engaging directly with the emerging talent behind the future of our industry. Judges will be asked to attend meetings with participating teams along with reviewing and scoring written reports and oral presentations.
Time Commitment: 1 hour
Date Range: ONgoing
Description and Expectations: Share your industry career story! Be interviewed by a SWANA staff member to talk about how you got involved in the industry and advanced your career. Your answers will be used in a SWANA Blog post.
Volunteer Criteria: Open to all
Time Commitment: 1 hour per contribution
Date Range: ongoing
Description and Expectations:
Contribute to the SWANA Safety First Newsletter and I Am SWANA newsletter with your safety expertise. Submit your safety topic or best practice in writing to be covered in a SWANA newsletter, or be interviewed by a SWANA staff member to talk about your safety program or safety tip.
Volunteer Criteria: Preference given to those with experience in workplace safety, health, and well-being.
Time Commitment: Approximately 1 hour per contribution
Date Range: Ongoing
Description and Expectations: SWANA is seeking content from members about recently projects, programs, experience with new technologies or equipment, etc. If you have something to share, please contact us and we will work with you to develop an article.
Volunteer Criteria: Open to all
Time Commitment: Approximately six virtual 1-hour meetings annually (every other month - may increase to monthly during heavy decision-making timeframes)
Date Range: January - November
Description and Expectations: SWANA’s Conference Committee supports staff by contributing industry expertise to assist in event strategy for SWANA’s annual conference. Committee is also called upon to provide input on overall event content direction and other event components.
Volunteer Criteria: Must be able to attend SWANA’s annual conference (RCon) and have availability to participate in virtual committee meetings
Time Commitment: approximately 2-3 hours per week
Date Range: January - April
Description and Expectations: Volunteers will assist in development a new SWANA training course focused on heat safety. They will collaborate with subject matter experts, participate in peer reviews, and develop supplementary resources like assessments and templates.
Volunteer Criteria: Preference given to those with a background in personnel management and health and safety.
Time Commitment: approximately 2-3 hours per week
Date Range: January - April
Description and Expectations: Volunteers will update the Transfer Station Management course content to address challenges, innovations, and advancements in the field. They will collaborate with subject matter experts, participate in peer reviews, and develop supplementary resources like assessments and templates.
Volunteer Criteria: Subject matter expertise in transfer station management
Time Commitment: approximately 2-3 hours per week
Date Range: January - April
Description and Expectations: Volunteers will update the Managing Recycling Systems course content to address challenges, innovations, and advancements in the field. They will collaborate with subject matter experts, participate in peer reviews, and develop supplementary resources like assessments and templates.
Volunteer Criteria: Subject matter expertise in recycling systems
Time Commitment: approximately 2-3 hours per week
Date Range: January - April
Description and Expectations: Volunteers will update the Managing Composting Programs course content to address challenges, innovations, and advancements in the field. They will collaborate with subject matter experts, participate in peer reviews, and develop supplementary resources like assessments and templates.
Volunteer Criteria: Subject matter expertise in composting
Time Commitment: approximately 2-3 hours per week
Date Range: January - April
Description and Expectations: Volunteers will update the Integrated Solid Waste Management course content to address challenges, innovations, and advancements in the field. They will collaborate with subject matter experts, participate in peer reviews, and develop supplementary resources like assessments and templates.
Volunteer Criteria: Subject matter expertise in integrated solid waste management systems
Time Commitment: approximately 2-3 hours per week
Date Range: January - April
Description and Expectations: Volunteers will update the Managing Municipal Solid Waste Collection System course content to address challenges, innovations, and advancements in the field. They will collaborate with subject matter experts, participate in peer reviews, and develop supplementary resources like assessments and templates.
Volunteer Criteria: Subject matter expertise in municipal solid waste collection systems
Time Commitment: approximately 1-2 hours per month
Date Range: ongoing
Description and Expectations: Contribute to compiling and developing consumer-facing communication and education for proper battery and electronics disposal and the risk of improper handling. Additional details available in the sub-workgroup’s workplan.
Volunteer Criteria: Open to all
Time Commitment: approximately 1-2 hours per month
Date Range: ongoing
Description and Expectations:
Contribute to compiling and developing laws, regulations, and voluntary action for improving battery and electronics collection, recycling, labeling, design, and more. Additional details available in the sub-workgroup’s workplan.
Volunteer Criteria: Open to all
Time Commitment: approximately 1-2 hours per month
Date Range: ongoing
Description and Expectations:
Contribute to developing guidance and best practices to prevent fires caused by lithium-ion batteries, specifically for protecting workers and preventing damage at facilities and in vehicles, including researching technology and equipment for battery detection and fire prevention. Additional details available in the sub-workgroup’s workplan
Volunteer Criteria: Open to all
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