NWRA accepts hall of fame nominations

The National Waste & Recycling Association (NWRA), Arlington, Virginia, is accepting nominations for its Hall of Fame Class of 2026.

Each year, the NWRA recognizes industry leaders with the association’s highest honor. Since 1986, more than 200 individuals have been inducted for their role in shaping the waste and recycling industries. Candidates with at least 25 years of contributions are considered based on leadership and service to the NWRA and industry.

“The Hall of Fame is a celebration of the people whose leadership and dedication have built the waste and recycling industry into what it is today,” NWRA President and CEO Michael E. Hoffman says. “Each year, we are proud to honor those whose contributions have left a lasting legacy and continue to inspire the next generation of leaders. I look forward to welcoming the Class of 2026 and recognizing their achievements at our annual awards gala.”

New this year, individuals may submit only one letter of recommendation for a single candidate in a given year. The NWRA will not accept multiple letters from the same person written for different candidates, and previously submitted nomination packets must comply with this new requirement.

Applications must be submitted online through NWRA’s Hall of Fame Online Application Form and are due Dec. 1. The association’s Hall of Fame Committee will review nominations and present recommendations to the NWRA Board of Trustees at its January 2026 meeting.

Class of 2026 inductees will be recognized at the NWRA’s Annual Awards Gala during the Waste Leadership Summit on June 10, 2026, in Washington.

For more information about the Hall of Fame, the nomination process and to learn more about past inductees, visit the NWRA Hall of Fame webpage. To submit questions or inquiries, contact Kirk Sander, senior vice president, chief safety and standards, at the NWRA, at ksander@wasterecycling.org.