National Waste & Recycling Association focused on communicating importance of waste handling

At the end of November, 2013, the Washington, D.C.-based trade group formerly known as the National Solid Wastes Management Association (NSWMA), and which is the largest association representing both the private-sector waste and recycling industry in the United States, announced that it has adopted a new name—the National Waste & Recycling Association. It also unveiled a new logo and tagline: “Collect. Recycle. Innovate.”

The change officially took place on Monday, Dec. 2. The name change followed the merger of Environmental Industry Associations (EIA) and its sub-associations, the National Solid Wastes Management Association (NSWMA) and the Waste Equipment Technology Association (WASTEC).  

“The rebranding is a significant milestone in achieving the goals of the strategic plan we adopted in November 2012,” said Charlie Appleby, the Chairman and CEO of Advanced Disposal and the Chairman of the Board of the National Waste & Recycling Association (the Association). “The strategic vision for the group is the creation of a merged advocacy organization with leadership, expertise and programs that promote the Association as the most effective and trusted voice on ‘all things waste and recycling.’ ”  

Sharon H. Kneiss, the president and CEO of the Association, added, “While the merger is now complete with this rebranding, our work continues to establish a number of programs within the organization. Our group is committed to the National Waste & Recycling Association being the unparalleled leader in industry advocacy, safety, waste technology, standards and statistics. Furthermore we are building a strong certification program and working to deliver excellent education opportunities.”  

The group’s new logo includes symbols reflecting the industry’s involvement in the collection of waste and recyclables, recycling, organics and composting and the production of waste-based energy. The inclusion of the word “innovate” in the tagline highlights how technology is revolutionizing the way that waste and recycling is managed in America.  

“Our brand name and logo are important indicators of who we are and what we stand for. With this new name, we are taking the opportunity to strengthen and modernize how we represent our association and promote the industry to our members, government officials, the media and the communities in which we operate,” Kneiss said.  

“The things we do as an industry help keep American communities clean and healthy. The new branding of the Association recognizes this and places a higher purpose on what we do,” Appleby said.  

The National Waste & Recycling Association represents nearly 800 companies operating in the United States. Its members conduct business in all 50 states and include companies that collect and manage trash, recycling and medical waste; equipment manufacturers and distributors; as well as a variety of other service providers.  

The new Association includes a number of institutes representing the interests of landfills, recycling and healthcare waste. It has a longtime partnership with Penton Media’s Waste360. The groups work together to organize WasteExpo, North America’s largest waste and recycling exposition and conference, in addition to other education offerings, products and services.  

The Association was created in 1962. It operated as the National Solid Wastes Management Association until 1994, when it became the Environmental Industry Associations during an earlier reorganization.    

National Waste & Recycling Association welcomes new director
On January 6, 2014, Sharon H. Kneiss, president and CEO of the National Waste & Recycling Association, welcomed the new director of administrative services to the organization. Steven Siesser will be responsible for the Association’s human resources, information technology and finances.

Siesser is a seasoned chief financial and operating executive with more than 20 years of experience in national trade associations and retail distribution. He has a long background in accounting, information technology and human resources management.

Kneiss was enthusiastic about the hiring decision. “Siesser will be another great addition to the National Waste & Recycling Association team,” she said. “He has the experience and knowledge to improve our back office systems. His hiring will help us become as dynamic operationally as we are in advocacy or programmatically.”

As a tax practice and business consultant, Siesser has aided businesses with budgeting, operational efficiencies, employee benefits and human resource issues. He has also provided individual and business clients with tax preparation and estate planning services. In his role as the vice president for finance and administration at the Council on Foundations, and earlier at a similar role with the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors, Siesser was responsible for business operations for organizations with dozens of employees and thousands of members. In those positions he drove non-dues revenue, implemented a pay-for-performance program and renegotiated tenant, vendor and banking relationships to boost revenue and lower costs.

Siesser has also taken leadership roles in the Finance and Administration Roundtable, the American Society of Association Executives, the Greater Washington Society of Association Executives and the Jewish Coalition Against Domestic Abuse, which serves the Washington area.

Siesser is eager to get started. “I am really looking forward to helping the Association continue to improve financially and operationally,” he said. Earlier in his career, Siesser worked in finance and tax roles in a retail concern and various accounting firms. He has a bachelor’s degree from New York University and a law degree from St. John’s University School of Law.

The National Waste & Recycling Association represents nearly 800 companies operating in the United States. Its members conduct business in all 50 states and include companies that collect and manage trash, recycling and medical waste; equipment manufacturers and distributors; as well as a variety of other service providers. For more information about how innovation in the waste and recycling industry is helping to solve today’s environmental challenges, visit www.beginwiththebin.com.