--- title: Honoring the Commitment to Safety description: Nothing we do at SWANA is more important than Safety. That’s why we want to honor those who work hard to put safety first. Apply now to SWANA’s Safety Awards. Applications close May 31! image: https://blog.swana.org/hubfs/1000x250-Safety-Matters.jpg --- - [Log in](https://swana.org/Login.aspx?ReturnUrl=https%3a%2f%2fswana.org%2fDefault.aspx%3fTabID%3d57) - [About SWANA](https://swana.org/AboutSWANA.aspx) - [Contact Us](https://swana.org/ContactUs.aspx) - [MySWANA](https://community.swana.org/home?_ga=2.259544650.1317848123.1545497054-2009930276.1545497054) - [Cart](https://swana.org/MyCart.aspx?ContinueShoppingURL=https%3a%2f%2fswana.org%2fDefault.aspx%3fTabID%3d57) [![SWANA](https://blog.swana.org/hubfs/Swana_December2018/images/logo.jpg)](https://swana.org/) - [Log in](https://swana.org/Login.aspx?ReturnUrl=https%3a%2f%2fswana.org%2fDefault.aspx%3fTabID%3d57) - [About SWANA](https://swana.org/AboutSWANA.aspx) - [Contact Us](https://swana.org/ContactUs.aspx) - [MySWANA](https://community.swana.org/home?_ga=2.259544650.1317848123.1545497054-2009930276.1545497054) - [Cart](https://swana.org/MyCart.aspx?ContinueShoppingURL=https%3a%2f%2fswana.org%2fDefault.aspx%3fTabID%3d57) - [Safety](https://swana.org/Safety.aspx) - [Events](https://swana.org/Events.aspx) - [Membership](https://swana.org/Membership.aspx) - [Awards](https://swana.org/Awards.aspx) - [Training](https://swana.org/Training.aspx) - [Certification](https://swana.org/Certification.aspx) - [Research](https://swana.org/Research.aspx) - [Advocacy](https://swana.org/Advocacy.aspx) - [News](https://swana.org/News.aspx) - [Products](https://swana.org/Products.aspx) - [Resources](https://swana.org/Resources.aspx) Honoring the Commitment to Safety # Honoring the Commitment to Safety Publish Date: 05/22/2019 [« SWANA Blog Posts](https://blog.swana.org) [![1000x250-Safety-Matters](https://blog.swana.org/hs-fs/hubfs/1000x250-Safety-Matters.jpg?width=1000&name=1000x250-Safety-Matters.jpg)](https://swana.org/Membership/MembershipInformation/YoungProfessionals.aspx) ![](https://blog.swana.org/hs-fs/hubfs/43774200464_40eb14cdc1_o.jpg?width=300&name=43774200464_40eb14cdc1_o.jpg)This marks the fourth year that SWANA will be presenting [Safety Awards](https://swana.org/Awards/SafetyAwards.aspx) to honor those organizations that have made the biggest improvements and best innovations in the industry. Though the trophy is nice and the recognition of being a safety leader an honor, it is keeping workers and the public safe that are the real prize. Solid waste is a job where it’s far too easy to get [seriously injured or killed](https://swana.org/News/NewsDetail.aspx?nc=406), but it does not have to be that way. When the Safety Awards were established, they were meant to highlight both the challenges this industry has and the creative, dedicated people who have faced them head-on. Whether it is [Aria Energy](https://swana.org/Portals/0/Awards/2016/Winners/SWANA_Safety_awd-Innovation-Aria_Energy-MI.pdf) and [Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corporation](https://swana.org/Portals/0/Awards/2016/Winners/SWANA_Safety_awd-Improvement-RI_Resource_Recovery_Corp.pdf) who were our first winners in 2016, or last year’s overall winner, [Lakeshore Recycling Systems](https://swana.org/Portals/0/Safety_Matters/Safety_Awards2018/Lakeshore_Recycling_Systems.pdf), they show that injuries and fatalities should not just be seen as the cost of doing business. The resources exist to reduce risk – the many impressive applications SWANA has received over the years prove that. What is necessary is commitment. And that is what the Safety Awards are truly honoring. If your organization has made a big improvement in safety or found an innovative way to put safety into practice,![43774200634_2d6a6a8651_o](https://blog.swana.org/hs-fs/hubfs/43774200634_2d6a6a8651_o.jpg?width=300&name=43774200634_2d6a6a8651_o.jpg) be sure to [**apply before May 31st**](https://swana.org/Awards/SafetyAwards.aspx). We’ve updated the process to make it much easier and shorter. And if your organization still has a long ways to go to make safety a priority, make the first step today and take the [SWANA Safety Pledge](https://swana.org/Safety/HaulerOutreach.aspx#safetyPledge) online. Afterwards, you can view past Safety Awards applicants and learn how some of the best in the business have done it. Whether a Safety Award winner or a recent safety convert, we all must recognize that [Safety Matters](https://swana.org/Safety.aspx).    *Thank you to the 2019 SWANA Safety Awards sponsors, *[*Autocar*](https://www.autocartruck.com/)*, *[*New Way Refuse Trucks*](https://refusetrucks.scrantonmfg.com/)*, & *[*PRECO Electronics*](https://preco.com/)*.*   |   **SWANA’s 2019 Safety Award applications **[**now available**](https://swana.org/Awards/SafetyAwards.aspx)**.  ****Submissions due May 31.**   | | --- |   - [Sitemap](https://swana.org/FriendlySiteMap.aspx) - | - [Contact Us](https://swana.org/ContactUs.aspx) - | - [Affiliates](https://swana.org/Affiliates.aspx) - | - [Store](https://store.swana.org/store/) - | - [Privacy Statement](https://swana.org/PrivacyPolicy.aspx) - | - [Terms of Use](https://swana.org/TermsofUse.aspx) [![MySWANA](https://blog.swana.org/hubfs/MySWANA-Icon.svg)](https://community.swana.org/home) [![Facebook](https://blog.swana.org/hubfs/Swana_December2018/images/flogo_RGB_HEX-72.svg)](https://www.facebook.com/SolidWasteAssociationOfNorthAmerica/) [![Twitter](https://blog.swana.org/hubfs/Swana_December2018/images/Twitter_Social_Icon_Rounded_Square_Color.svg)](https://twitter.com/swana) [![Linkedin](https://blog.swana.org/hubfs/Swana_December2018/images/linkedIn-icon.svg)](https://www.linkedin.com/company/swana/) [![YouTube](https://blog.swana.org/hubfs/Swana_December2018/images/YouTube-11062016Dump.svg)](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCV9SayYDBovqqyg_TTCJRvw) [Copyright 2026 by The Solid Waste Association of North America](https://swana.org/) [8484 Georgia Avenue, Suite 230, Silver Spring, MD 20910](https://swana.org/) [Phone: 1-800-GO-SWANA (1.800.467.9262) - Fax: 301.589.7068](https://swana.org/)