SWANA & NWRA to Convene Fall Safety & Standards Meetings at RCon™ in Ohio

The National Waste & Recycling Association (NWRA) will host the annual Fall Safety & Standards Meetings this November in Columbus, Ohio, in the days leading into RCon™, the new conference hosted by the Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA). These meetings, happening November 10–12, bring together leaders from across the industry to reshape the future of safety and standards in waste and recycling. Participants also have the opportunity to stay and enjoy RCon, taking place November 12–15.   

As part of the ongoing collaboration outlined in the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed at WasteExpo® 2025, SWANA and NWRA will hold a joint meeting of their Safety Committees. This joint session underscores both associations' strong commitment to improving safety outcomes for workers and communities.   

“Safety is part of our core values, and this collaboration reflects the power of working together to move our industry forward,” shared SWANA CEO Amy Lestition Burke, MA, FASAE, CAE. “We are proud to welcome NWRA to RCon as we continue to build a safer, stronger, and more resilient workforce.” 

RCon, SWANA’s new conference, brings together leaders from across North America to address the most pressing issues facing the waste and recycling sector. With a dynamic agenda that empowers attendees to build their own schedule with the sessions most relevant to their work, RCon is where waste and resource management professionals go to think and find solutions to our industry’s top challenges.  

By hosting the Safety and Standards meetings leading up to the event, NWRA is helping to strengthen alignment around critical safety practices and standards that protect workers and communities. 

“NWRA and SWANA share a deep responsibility to protect the men and women who keep our communities clean and safe,” said Michael E. Hoffman, president and CEO of NWRA. “By aligning our safety and standards work, we can deliver stronger, more consistent practices across the industry and ensure that safety remains our top priority.” 

The Fall Safety & Standards Meeting consistently focuses on bringing together safety leaders to strengthen collaboration, exchange best practices, and advance standards that benefit the entire industry. 

NWRA’s Safety and Standards Committees continue to play a vital role in developing practices and guidelines that improve safety across the sector. Partnering with SWANA ensures these discussions are amplified, driving real progress toward a safer and stronger industry.