National Waste & Recycling Association Launches Driver Certification Program

First-ever safe driver certification will be “gold standard” for training drivers working in the waste and recycling industry
Jul 9, 2014 5:15 PM ET
National Waste & Recycling Association logo

WASHINGTON, July 9, 2014 /3BL Media/ — The National Waste & Recycling Association (NW&RA) introduced its first-ever safe driver certification for drivers working in the waste and recycling industry. NW&RA developed the program to address the specialized needs of the industry and the specific driving hazards its employees face each day. NW&RA is offering this new program to both members and non-members.

The safe driver certification is designed specifically for professional commercial drivers with a current commercial driver’s license and at least 12 months experience as a professional commercial driver in the waste and recycling industry. Passing the certification’s exam indicates a driver has foundational knowledge of the industry’s driver safety best practices.

“Launching our certification program is a great milestone for NW&RA,” said Sharon H. Kneiss, the associaton’s president and CEO. “Our companies have asked for a certification of industry drivers because they understand that it will help them make hiring and promotion decisions, could lower their risk of accidents, and may help reduce their insurance costs. This first certification effort fills a gap that has existed in our safety training. We think this program will become the gold standard for drivers working in our industry. We are working on additional certifications for other professions within our industry and will release them in the coming months.”

Drivers from NW&RA member companies can take the exam for $275, while non-members may take it for $400. A test and online preparation course package will be available for $500.

Registration for the inaugural testing period is available now and closes July 31.

NW&RA has additional information about the program online at http://wasterecycling.org/certification, including how to become certified and how to register and prepare for the exam.

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The National Waste & Recycling Association is the trade association that represents the private sector waste and recycling services industry. Association members conduct business in all 50 states and include companies that collect and manage garbage, recycling and medical waste, equipment manufacturers and distributors and a variety of other service providers. For more information about how innovation in the environmental services industry is helping to solve today’s environmental challenges, visit www.beginwiththebin.org.