Industry has Long Record of Working with Officials to Prevent Ties to Crime

WASHINGTON, Jan. 16, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The National Solid Wastes Management Associations (NSWMA) today expressed support for efforts to rid the industry of organized crime. The solid waste industry in New York and New Jersey has a decades-long history of working with law enforcement officials to implement policies to help eliminate elements of organized crime from the industry.

Sharon H. Kneiss, NSWMA's President and CEO, stated, "Anyone found guilty of such crimes is not representative of the solid waste and recycling industry. And government officials and media reporting on this story should take care to not unfairly impugn the reputations of the hundreds of thousands of law-abiding, hard-working solid waste and recycling professionals, who keep our communities healthy and clean by collecting and managing our garbage and recyclables. These arrests should not lessen the pride that industry employees feel about their work, handling the increasingly complex solid waste stream."

Kneiss added, "It is vital that we do what is necessary to maintain the integrity and professionalism of our industry. The government should use every tool at its disposal to act against these types of activities."

NSWMA – a sub-association of the Environmental Industry Associations – represents for-profit companies in North America that provide solid, hazardous and medical waste collection, recycling and disposal services, and companies that provide professional and consulting services to the waste services industry. NSWMA members conduct business in all 50 states.

SOURCE National Solid Wastes Management Association (NSWMA)