Volunteering with SWANA

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.

Volunteer with SWANA

Featured Volunteer Opportunities

SWANA Safety Committee
Time Commitment: Approximately 2-3 hours per month. Meetings are held virtually, typically every other month. The committee may also meet in-person at RCon™ or at other SWANA or industry events.
Date Range: August 1, 2026 - July 31, 2027
Description and Expectations:
The SWANA Safety Committee guides SWANA’s safety programs, resources, and initiatives in collaboration with SWANA staff and Safety Ambassadors. Members review and evaluate SWANA Safety Award Submissions and provide recommendations for selecting award recipients. The Safety Committee supports SWANA’s collaborations related to safety, including the Alliance with the US Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the MOU with the National Waste and Recycling Association (NWRA), including joint meetings with the NWRA Safety Committee.
Volunteer Criteria:
- Current SWANA member in good standing.
- Acknowledge and commit to the responsibilities of the Safety Committee.
- Demonstrate experience, knowledge, or leadership related to safety.
- Previous volunteer committee or leadership experience is preferred.
Apply Here: SWANA Safety Committee Application – Fill out form
SWANA Battery Workgroup Chair
Time Commitment: Approximately 2-4 hours per month which includes attending meetings, communicating over email, and helping to draft agendas and update workplans. Meetings are held virtually. The full workgroup meets every other month and the sub-workgroups meet in the alternating months.
Date Range: ongoing
Description and Expectations:
SWANA is seeking a Chair to help lead the overall Lithium-Ion Battery workgroup. The Chair will work with SWANA staff to support the full Workgroup, coordinate with Sub-Workgroup Co-Chairs, and help keep the Workgroup focused on relevant discussions, resources, and outcomes. The Workgroup Chair will:
- Prepare for and lead full Workgroup meetings, expected to take place every other month.
- Check in with Sub-Workgroup Co-Chairs to monitor progress, identify needs, and support the groups.
- Help identify potential guest speakers, subject matter experts, and resources that may benefit the Workgroup.
- Coordinate with SWANA staff on meeting agendas, priorities, and follow-up items.
- Encourage communication, collaboration, and participation across the full Workgroup.
- Provide updates on Workgroup and Sub-Workgroup progress, as needed.
Volunteer Criteria:
- Current SWANA member in good standing.
- Acknowledge and commit to the responsibilities of the position.
- Previous volunteer committee or leadership experience is preferred.
Apply Here: SWANA Workgroup for Lithium-Ion Battery Safety Leadership Application – Fill out form
SWANA Battery Sub-Workgroup Chairs
Time Commitment: Approximately 2-4 hours per month which includes attending meetings, communicating over email, and helping to draft agendas and update workplans. Meetings are held virtually. The full workgroup meets every other month and the sub-workgroups meet in the alternating months.
Date Range: ongoing
Description and Expectations:
The SWANA Lithium-Ion Battery Workgroup has Sub-Workgroups focused on different aspects of battery safety, including: communications and education, advocacy and public policy, and on-site safety best practices. Sub-Workgroup Co-Chairs will:
- Create a workplan and identify focus areas, and potential deliverables with the input of the whole Sub-Workgroup,.
- Facilitate Sub-Workgroup discussions during meetings, expected to occur every other month.
- Follow up with Sub-Workgroup members on progress and action items.
- Communicate with Sub-Workgroup members and encourage active participation.
- Coordinate with the Workgroup Chair and SWANA staff on Sub-Workgroup updates, needs and priorities.
- Provide updates on Sub-Workgroup progress and developments during the full Workgroup meetings.
Volunteer Criteria:
- Current SWANA member in good standing.
- Acknowledge and commit to the responsibilities of the position.
- Previous volunteer committee or leadership experience is preferred.
Apply Here: SWANA Workgroup for Lithium-Ion Battery Safety Leadership Application – Fill out form

CONTENT

SWANA Career Interview Participant

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
Contribute to Safety Best Practices and Case Studies

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.
Contribute to SWANA Newsletter

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

Events

Conference Committee

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

Learning and Development

Heat Safety Training Course Development

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.
Transfer Station Management Course Update

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
Managing Recycling Systems Course Update

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
Managing Composting Programs Course Update

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
Integrated Solid Waste Management Course Update

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
Managing Municipal Solid Waste Collection Systems Course Update

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

Lithium Ion Batteries

SWANA Lithium-Ion Battery Communications & Outreach Sub-Workgroup

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
SWANA Lithium-Ion Battery Advocacy & Public Policy Sub-Workgroup

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
SWANA Lithium-Ion Battery Facility & Vehicle Safety Sub-Workgroup

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