On June 24, 2021 the National Waste & Recycling Association (NWRA) announced that two Recology drivers have won prestigious 2021 Driver of the Year awards, a national honor.

Lawrence Jackson III, a Recology Golden Gate roll-off driver in downtown San Francisco, won Regional Industrial Driver of the Year.

Aaron Meier, who serves customers in San Francisco’s Richmond District, won Regional Residential Driver of the Year.

This great news comes on the heels of Tuesday’s announcement that Recology won the 2021 Company of the Year award at the National ESOP Association Conference in Washington, D.C.

The competitive Driver of the Year Awards are given to drivers who operate their trucks safely and responsibly, have outstanding performance records, and whose contributions have enhanced the overall safety and image of the solid waste industry.

Lawrence Jackson III epitomizes the commitment to safety and service at Recology Golden Gate, navigating the difficult streets and underground garages of San Francisco’s world-famous Downtown. “Cars, people walking, bikes, it’s all a factor,” says Lawrence. “You try to time things to be respectful. Always thank people who pause. The situations change second by second when I pull up. I work with dispatch to keep the accident risk low.”

Lawrence’s positive personality with his quick wit and humor make him one of Recology Golden Gate’s most well-known employee-owners.. But behind the wheel, Lawrence is all business, and safety is his priority. “You have to think safety every time,” says Lawrence. “When you get too comfortable, that’s when accidents happen.”

 Aaron Meier takes pride in the work he does every day and provides the highest levels of service, a cornerstone of Recology Sunset Scavenger. “He truly is an exemplary employee,” says District Manager Ron Sherman. “He is loyal, hard-working, and reliable, always willing to help whenever called upon for whatever needs to be done. And Aaron performs his job safely day after day.”

Aaron received national attention in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic when he tweeted:

“I can’t work from home. My job is an essential city service that must get done. Right now I am feeling an extra sense of pride and purpose as I do my work. I see people, my people, of my city, peeking out their windows at me. They’re scared, we’re scared. Scared but resilient.

“Us garbagemen are gonna keep collecting the garbage, doctors and nurses are gonna keep doctoring and nursing. It’s gonna be ok, we’re gonna make it be ok. I love my city. I love my country. I love my planet Earth. Be good to each other and we’ll get through this.”

Lawrence and Aaron’s commitment to being safe every day and providing quality service to their customers sparked NWRA to recognize them as outstanding drivers.

Congratulations to Lawrence and Aaron, representing Recology and all of its employee-owners!