Safety News

Up-to-the-minute news on the impact solid waste workers in SWANA are making toward a safer industry. Read about safety initiatives that SWANA leads, from our own press releases and in the news in general.

SWANA WELCOMES OVER 1,200 WASTE AND RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PROFESSIONALS TO WASTECON® 2024 FOR KNOWLEDGE-SHARING, PROBLEM-SOLVING, AND UNIQUE NETWORKING FUN

October 22, 2024

Waste and resource management professionals from across the U.S. and seven countries are gathered in Grapevine, TX, for WASTECON®, an event featuring 1,200 attendees and 137 exhibitors.

SWANA Announces New Guiding Principles on EPR

SWANA Announces New Guidelines on Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)

October 20, 2024

SWANA is excited to announce new guidelines and a Technical Policy on EPR, designed to enhance recycling and reuse systems while prioritizing safety.

Construction worker in protective wear standing in front of rubble.

SWANA RESPONDS TO THE RECENT HURRICANES TO RAISE AWARENESS OF THE ROLE OF THE SOLID WASTE AND RESOURCE MANAGEMENT INDUSTRY

October 08, 2024

SWANA is continuing to monitor the Hurricane Helene recovery and Hurricane Milton preparation from the lens of potential implications for our industry.

Professional Achievement Awards on a table

SWANA Announces Winners of 2024 Awards for Professional Achievement, Safety, and Young Professionals

August 21, 2024

The Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA) is proud to announce the recipients of the 2024 SWANA Awards for Professional Achievement, Safety, and Young Professionals.

SWANA Comments on EPA Proposed Regulations Regarding PFAS Designation as Hazardous Constituents

April 10, 2024

SWANA supports the goal of addressing per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contamination and holding manufacturers accountable.

The word Safety being highlighted in a book

SWANA Statement on US BLS 2022 National Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries

January 10, 2024

The US Department of Labor BLS released its 2022 National Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries.

SWANA Recognizes Four Outstanding Safety Programs

June 29, 2023

The Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA) is honored to recognize the recipients of the 2023 SWANA Safety Awards.

New SWANA Report Presents Guidance on Landfill Odor Control

May 09, 2023

The SWANA Applied Research Foundation’s report provides up-to-date information on materials and strategies to control odors from landfills.

SWANA Reports Increase in 2022 Worker Fatalities

March 06, 2023

SWANA reported an increase in worker fatalities in 2022 in the United States and Canada after a dramatic drop in 2021.

SWANA Announces Two New Safety Awards for 2023

February 22, 2023

Best Safety Training Program and Workplace Wellness Award Added to Award Categories.

#SWANASafety in the News

SWANA Releases Statement on Product Safety Emergency – Mar 3, 2025, Scrap Monster
SWANA Releases Statement on Product Safety Emergency – Feb 28, 2025, Waste Advantage
Associations issue statement on lithium-ion battery handling – Jan 21, 2025, Waste Recycling Magazine
NWRA and SWANA Partner to Address Lithium-Ion Battery Disposal Challenges – Jan 16, 2025, Scrap Monster
NWRA, SWANA's Joint Statement on Lithium-Ion Battery Disposal and Recycling Challenges – Jan 15, 2025, Waste 360
NWRA, SWANA partner to address lithium-ion batteries – Jan 15, 2025, Waste Today Magazine
NWRA and SWANA collaborate to improve lithium-ion battery disposal – Jan 15, 2025, Recycling Product News
NWRA and SWANA Partner to Address Lithium-Ion Battery Disposal Challenges – Jan 15, 2025, Waste Advantage Magazine
MRF and collection worker deaths climbed in 2023 – Jan 7, 2025, Resource Recycling
Bureau of Labor: Fatality rate increased for waste collection in 2023 – Dec 30, 2024, Waste Today Magazine
SWANA Statement on the US Department of Labor’s BLS 2023 National Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries – Dec 23, 2024, Waste Advantage Magazine
SCDES hosts SWANA Safety Day – Oct 14, 2024, Columbia Star
SWANA responds to recent hurricanes to raise awareness of the role of the waste and resource management industry – Oct 12, 2024, Waste Management World
SWANA highlights critical role of solid waste and resource management during recent hurricanes Helene and Milton – Oct 12, 2024, Recycling Product News
SWANA Responds to the Recent Hurricanes to Raise Awareness of the Role of the Solid Waste and Resource Management Industry – Oct 9, 2024, Waste Advantage Magazine
Focus on heat illness intensifies after death of Baltimore sanitation worker – Aug 20, 2024, WasteDive
Slow Down to Get Around: A SWANA Campaign – May 13, 2024, ecomaine
US EPA designates PFOS, PFOA as hazardous substances – Apr 22, 2024, Waste Dive
SWANA Expands Safety Awards to Recognize Safety Training Programs and Workplace Wellness – Feb 23, 2023, MSW Management
With safety improvements, waste and recycling collection fell to the 7th deadliest job in 2021: BLS – Dec 16, 2022, Waste Dive