SWANA Announces Professional Achievement Award Winners
Silver Spring, MD – The Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA) is pleased to announce the recipients
of its annual Professional Achievement Awards. The Professional Achievement Awards recognize SWANA members for their valuable and distinguished contributions to SWANA, the solid waste and recycling industry, and the public. These award winners were
nominated by their peers for their dedication to their organizations, the industry, the public, and environment.
“SWANA’s annual Professional Achievement Awards recognize leaders, and this year is no exception,” stated David Biderman, SWANA’s Executive Director and CEO. “The three individuals selected for these awards have been long-time
leaders seeking to improve solid waste and recycling systems at the local, state, and national levels,” he added.
Robert L. Lawrence Distinguished Service Award: Enrique C. Zaldivar, Director and General Manager, LA Sanitation and Environment
Mr. Zaldivar has been at the helm of the City of Los Angeles LA Sanitation & Environment Department (LASAN) as Director and General Manager since 2007. Through his leadership, LASAN oversees the City’s Clean Water program, the Solid
Resources program, and the Watershed Protection program. LASAN’s achievements in solid waste under Mr. Zaldivar’s direction include the recently implemented recycLA Franchise Initiative with the adoption of the Solid Waste Private
Hauler Exclusive Franchise Initiative. Ongoing programs and initiatives include work to improve recycling markets via the new US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA); a commitment to electrification of the refuse collection truck fleet to move
toward Zero Emission goals; and implementation of a long-term Zero Waste Plan for the period through 2030.
Association Life Member Award: Harvey Levitt, retired, Dalton-Whitfield Solid Waste Authority
Mr. Harvey Levitt joined SWANA and the Georgia Chapter in 1995 and is still an active member 20 years later. As a long-time member, he served on the Chapter Board of Directors for 20 years, helped develop Georgia’s landfill operator training
and certification, and then served as an instructor for about 13 years. Mr. Levitt won SWANA’s Professional Achievement Award for Public Sector Members in 2013. He is retired from the Dalton-Whitfield Solid Waste Authority.
Upon being notified of his recognition, Mr. Levitt said, “SWANA is all about training and bonding and sharing training with your peers.”
Robert L. Lawrence Lecture Award: Heidi Sanborn, Executive Director, National Stewardship Action Council (NSAC)
Ms. Sanborn is an internationally recognized advocate for Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) and a circular economy. She is a dynamic and knowledgeable speaker who uses solid information, real-world stories and humor to share her message.
NSAC is both an advocate and lobbyist on behalf of EPR and product stewardship at all levels of government. NSAC is known for its support of California’s landmark 2018 medicine and sharps take-back legislation, the first law in the United
States to address both medicines and needles through EPR at the state level, among other bills.
“These individuals have had a tremendous impact on the communities they have served and on the solid waste profession,” said SWANA President Brenda Haney. “Their work will have a lasting impact. Congratulations!”
SWANA thanks Mr. Zaldivar, Mr. Levitt, and Ms. Sanborn for their work for the industry and SWANA.
To learn more about SWANA and the Professional Achievement Awards, visit https://swana.org/community/awards-scholarships/professional-achievement-awards
