Environmental Industry Associations Solicits Nominations for Expanded 2013 “Driver of the Year Program”

WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Environmental Industry Associations (EIA), which represents the private sector recycling and waste services industry in the U.S., today announced it is accepting nominations for its popular and prestigious 2013 Driver of the Year awards. This program, which has been expanded and streamlined, honors those drivers who operate their vehicles in a safe and responsible manner, maintain outstanding performance records, and enhance the overall image of the recycling and waste services industry. The EIA Driver of the Year program is underwritten by AmWINS and Berkley Environmental.

“The expansion of the program reflects our interest in recognizing more drivers and encouraging more companies, especially small and medium size haulers, to nominate their best drivers. In addition, we have moved the nominating process online to reduce the burden on nominating managers and supervisors.”

All nominees receive a gift package and certificate of appreciation. Finalists also receive a personalized plaque. The winner in each category will be honored in person at WasteExpo in May 2013 in New Orleans, Louisiana. They also will receive a commemorative gift and $1,000 cash prize. EIA will promote award recipients in their local newspapers and other media outlets.

For 2013, EIA revised the nomination categories to include residential, commercial and industrial drivers at regional companies with a combined fleet between 251 and 2,000 vehicles. As a result, this year, a Driver of the Year will be selected from each of nine categories. Drivers compete with other drivers in the same category only. Categories are the following: small company, medium company, regional company residential, regional company commercial, regional company industrial, large company residential, large company commercial, large company industrial and public sector.

EIA also streamlined the nomination process, and nominations now can be completed entirely online.

EIA’s Safety Director David Biderman noted, “The expansion of the program reflects our interest in recognizing more drivers and encouraging more companies, especially small and medium size haulers, to nominate their best drivers. In addition, we have moved the nominating process online to reduce the burden on nominating managers and supervisors.”

To be eligible for consideration, nominated drivers must be full-time employees at the time of nomination and at the time of winner selection and award presentation. Your company does not have to be a member of NSWMA or EIA to nominate a driver. Previous Driver of the Year winners are not eligible to enter again. Completed nominations must be submitted by November 30, 2012. You may get more information or begin the nomination process at: http://www.environmentalistseveryday.org/DOYawards

The Environmental Industry Associations (EIA) is the trade association that represents the private sector solid waste and recycling services industry through its two sub-associations, the National Solid Wastes Management Association (NSWMA) and the Waste Equipment Technology Association (WASTEC). NSWMA and WASTEC represent the private-sector environmental services industry, including garbage collectors, processors, recyclers and equipment manufacturers. NSWMA and WASTEC members conduct business in all 50 states. For more information about how innovation in the environmental services industry is helping to solve today’s environmental challenges, visit www.environmentalistseveryday.org.