The National Waste & Recycling Association (NWRA) has appointed Kendall Christiansen as manager of its New York City chapter. The principal of Gaia Strategies, NWRA describes Christiansen is “an experienced and knowledgeable industry expert who has worked both locally and nationally in the field since helping to launch NYC’s municipal recycling system in 1989.”
Previously, Christiansen was founding assistant director of New York City's recycling system, worked in and around local industry for many years, chaired the Citywide Recycling Advisory Board, and most recently worked nationally on organics-related issues. He lives in Brooklyn and is in active in an array of civic affairs.
The NYC chapter comprises nearly 100 companies and individuals involved in various aspects of managing New York City’s waste and resources, including collection from nearly every local business, recovering and processing of recyclables of all types and ensuring the cleanliness of the city while putting safety for all first.
Sharon Kneiss, NWRA president, says, “NWRA is pleased to support the New York chapter as it works to promote the interests of its members and meet the unique challenges of providing environmental services to thousands of businesses in this metropolitan market. The many resources of a national association—including training, marketing, safety and best practices—are best applied at the local level through our chapters.”
Tom Toscano, chairman of the NWRA New York City chapter, says, “The many private waste and recycling businesses in New York City benefit from our participation in this strong and effective trade association. With Kendall's expertise and his management of our chapter, we are positioned to be even more successful in collaborating as an industry and working together to bring New York City the best possible service to meet its public health, sanitation and environmental needs.”
Christiansen says, “I’m ready to help the chapter and its members address and meet the 21st century challenges of managing New York City’s discarded resources. Building positive relationships with key regulatory agencies, customers, environmental agencies and other stakeholders will support the industry’s efforts to optimize diversion of recyclables (including organics) and conduct its operations in safe and environmentally friendly ways for the benefit of its employees, customers and the city as a whole.”
Christiansen assumed his role as chapter manager March 21, 2016.
