August 26, 2025

US Department of Labor renews national alliance to enhance worker safety in waste and recycling industry

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration renewed its alliance with the National Waste & Recycling Association and the Solid Waste Association of North America with the shared goal of improving the safety and health of workers in the solid waste and recycling industry.

During the three-year agreement, OSHA, NWRA and SWANA will focus on safety issues, including transportation hazards such as backovers and distracted driving, slips, trips and falls, as well as needlestick and musculoskeletal injuries. Participants will also address potential health issues associated with lithium battery hazards in waste and recycling collection and processing.

Through the alliance, participants will develop valuable resources, including educational articles, fact sheets, and toolkits aimed at preventing and mitigating hazards. Participants plan to share information at industry conferences and engage in discussions at forums and meetings. An important aspect of the Alliance's outreach will be directed toward small- and medium-sized employers, ensuring that all businesses within the waste and recycling industry have access to essential safety information and resources.

OSHA's Alliance Program helps the agency develop working relationships with organizations committed to workplace safety and health. This includes trade and professional associations, labor unions, educational institutions, community and faith-based groups, and government agencies.

Alliance participants work with OSHA to provide workers and employers with information, guidance, and resources to promote safety and health in workplaces. Alliances also ensure that workers know their rights and employers understand their responsibilities under the Occupational Safety and Health Act.

Learn more about OSHA.