NWRA opens applications for 2026 Driver, Operator of the Year awards

The National Waste & Recycling Association (NWRA), Arlington, Virginia, has opened applications for its 2026 Driver of the Year and Operator of the Year awards. The awards honor individuals who operate their vehicles or heavy equipment responsibly and safely, maintain strong performance records and contribute positively to the industry.

New this year, the program is expanded to include a subset of the Driver of the Year category, The Rising Star award, which honors drivers with fewer than 10 years of industry experience who have demonstrated an outstanding commitment to safety and performance.

The Technician of the Year award also has been introduced under the Operator of the Year category and recognizes mechanical professionals whose contributions enable operations to run efficiently. Companies can nominate one candidate for Technician of the Year and one candidate for the Rising Star award if they participate in Driver or Operator of the Year.

“Each year, our Driver and Operator of the Year awards recognize the men and women whose professionalism, skill and commitment to safety set the standard for our industry,” says Michael E. Hoffman, NWRA president and CEO. “By introducing the Rising Star and Technician of the Year categories, we are shining a light on the next generation of drivers as well as the skilled professionals who keep our operations running. These changes strengthen the program and ensure that we continue celebrating excellence across every corner of the waste and recycling industry.”

In addition, the NWRA has eliminated the honorable mention designation and revised the pricing structure for submissions based on feedback from participants. The Operator of the Year award will be priced per entry for NWRA members and the public sector, while the Driver of the Year, Technician of the Year and Rising Star awards nominations will be tiered by company size.

The first round of applications is due Oct. 31. Review and judging will take place in early 2026, and winners will be recognized at the organization’s annual awards gala in June 2026 during the Waste Leadership Summit in Washington. For more information or to apply, visit https://wasterecycling.org/driver-and-operator-of-the-year.