Smith exits NWRA

Darrell Smith has led the association since 2017.

darrell smith a balding man with facial hair and his arms crossed
Smith at the time he joined the NRWA in 2017
Photo courtesy of the NWRA

The National Waste and Recycling Association (NWRA), Arlington, Virginia, has announced that Darrell Smith, president and CEO of the organization, is leaving his post effective Aug. 4. He has led the association since 2017.

Smith came to the NWRA from the Industrial Minerals Association–North America, part of the mining industry, and previously served as an industry advocate for the petroleum and chemical industries. Before entering public policy, he worked in several industries, including hazardous waste.

"On behalf of NWRA, we wish to thank Darrell for his commitment and contributions to our industry,” says Don Ross, chair of NWRA’s board of trustees. “We appreciate Darrell’s leadership of the association through the pandemic, driving financial improvements for the association and continuing our industry’s focus on improving the safety of this industry. We wish Darrell well in his future endeavors.”

NWRA's membership represents nearly 70 percent of the North American private waste and recycling services market.

“NWRA’s mission is to promote and advocate for the waste and recycling industry,” Ross adds. “As part of that mission, it’s important that NWRA continues to evolve with our members’ by continuing to build the strategic vision of the organization.”

The NWRA board of trustees will begin a search for the association’s next leader, with Jim Riley, NWRA chief counsel and senior vice president, assuming the day-to-day responsibilities of the association in the interim.